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Crew Fate Unknown After Somali Pirate Dhow Stormed
7 May
Summary
- A dhow was stormed by pirates in early May off the Somali coast.
- Pirate threat level raised to 'severe' due to recent hijackings.
- Pirates abandoned a hijacked dhow due to short supplies.
The fate of the crew aboard the Fahad-4, a dhow seized in late April, is currently unknown. The vessel was carrying citrus cargo when it was stormed by an 11-strong pirate gang after departing Mogadishu.
The Joint Maritime Information Centre escalated its pirate threat level to 'severe' in early May, citing a recent surge in hijackings. This dhow was attacked approximately 10 nautical miles off Dhinowda in northeastern Somalia. Security officials indicated the pirates originated from near Garacad.
Following the hijacking, the pirates allegedly used the dhow as a mothership to target other vessels in Somali waters. However, they were compelled to abandon the ship on May 4 due to insufficient supplies and increased vigilance from other ships in the area.
Several other ships remain in pirate hands, including the Honour 25 tanker seized on April 21, the M/V Sward on April 26, and the Eureka petrol tanker off Yemen. The Fahad-4 is also suspected of involvement in an aborted attack on the Maltese M/V Minerva Pisces tanker on April 28.
