31.01.2011
Liberian-flagged tanker New York Star was two times attacked by Somali pirates on Friday, reports website of Maritime Bulletin – Sovfrakht referring to Maritime Assistance Center (MAC).
According to
Maritime Bulletin, the tanker with two Russian and three Ukrainian crewmembers onboard is heading for Singapore carrying 55,000 tons of oil products. Reportedly, the tanker had been escorted by Russian warship
Admiral Vinogradov till Jan 26 and then left the convoy.
Pirates mounted the first attack on Friday, at 04.50 (local time) 540 nautical miles northwest of Indian island Kavaratti. "Pirates fired at the ship, but the crew managed to shake off the pursuers by masterful maneuvers, speed, and other passive protection facilities", said the report.
Second attack was conducted on Friday at 06.00. "This time pirates were luckier, and four of them managed to board the tanker. The shipmaster reported there were pirates aboard and that the crew hid in shelter waiting for help", reports
Maritime Bulletin.
In the night of Saturday an EU warship approached the tanker, and a group of marines was dropped on the ship. However, it turned out that having failed to break into the shelter, pirates left the ship.
"None of sailors suffered; the tanker with a 27-man crew including two Russians and three Ukrainians laid a course for Singapore", said the source.
