Curtas do Bryant´s

Gulf of Aden – suspected pirate accidently killed

The EU Maritime Security Centre – Horn of Africa (MSC-HOA) issued a press release stating that a warship operating as part of the EU NAVFOR investigated a suspected pirate skiff with a crew of five in the Gulf of Aden. It launched a helicopter, which observed and filmed the crew throwing ladders and weapons over the side of the skiff. The warship directed the skiff to stop, but the skiff continued. After warning shots were fired, the skiff stopped. [There are unofficial reports that the warship was authorized to fire into the skiff to force it to stop.] A team from an RHIB boarded the skiff, where weaponry was found. One of the suspected pirates was wounded in the incident. Although he was provided medical treatment onboard the warship, he was later pronounced dead. (9/7/09). Note: I have little sympathy for pirates. I also believe that the accidental wounding and killing of this individual was very unfortunate. There is a lesson to be learned here, though not the one you might expect. If trained sailors on a warship can accidently kill someone on a small boat when firing warning or disabling shots (this is the second such incident), then it is much more likely to occur if merchant mariners are routinely provided with firearms. In this instance and the prior one, the sailor was a member of the military forces and thus not subject to the usual potential of prosecution by the nation of the deceased. The same cannot be said if the errant shot had been fired by a civilian. Arming of merchant vessels should not be undertaken lightly.

Somalia – crewmember wounded in pirate attack

The NATO Shipping Centre issued an update stating that the merchant vessel An San reported that her engine broke down and she is under pirate attack 16 nm from Mogadishu, Somalia. The pirates came alongside and fired warning shots, resulting in the wounding of one crewmember. The vessel has medics embarked and has not requested assistance, which was offered by a US warship in the vicinity. (9/5/09). Note: Although the nationality of the An San is not mentioned in the NATO release, other records indicate that it is registered with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea). Fonte: Dennis Bryant.