Pirates nearly hijacked a vessel with Russians and Ukrainians aboard

01.12.2010 Somali pirates almost captured 29 Ukrainians and 2 Russians, reports Fraza referring to Mikhail Voitenko, editor of Maritime Bulletin.

According to Voitenko, pirates attacked Greek-flagged bulker Pistic sailed from Odessa in the Arabian Sea 300 miles off the shore. Bulker was attacked by a boat with four pirates armed with Kalashnikov rifles. Pirates' mother ship was anchored nearby.

"The shipmaster gathered the crew on the bridge and signaled about pirates' assault by all radio aids. Then the ship started to maneuver; the bulker's boards were covered with barbed wires. Having understood that it would not be an "easy meat", pirates gave up attacks very soon", said Voitenko describing the incident.

None of crewmembers suffered. In total, there were 35 men on board the bulker. Twenty nine of them were Ukrainians, two – Russians, and four - Filipinos.

Pirates captured German dry-cargo ship Bremen on Nov 26 in the Indian Ocean not far from African coast, reported today German shipowner Reederei Schepers headquartered in Haren, Lower Saxony.

The 130-meter long ship flies the flag of Antigua and Barbuda. International complement is headed by German shipmaster. Shipowner's representative said that in the moment of attack the crewmembers locked themselves in special armored cabin and transmitted mayday signal.

There were no reports about number of sailors and their nationalities.