In a rare success against armed attackers off the coast of Africa, six men perpetrators have been arrested 2.5nm off the coast of Takoradi, Ghana.
Dryad Global reports that the tanker Epic Bermuda was at anchorage when the officer of the watch noticed a group of men attempting to board the vessel and he sounded the alarm.
Dryad Global reported, “The OOW [officer of the watch] then started the vessel’s engines, attempted to manoeuvre the vessel so as to disrupt the attempt. The small boat was said to have then headed off in the direction of another vessel approx. 0.6nm away. The vessel is reported to have returned later, the authorities at Takoradi dispatched a patrol vessel which arrested the six individuals. Crew are reported safe.”
Munro Anderson of Dryad Global said the arrests were a rarity, but the perpetrators had made “a critical error” in this attack, turning back to port after their escape in the hope that they had not been spotted. In addition the 6,625DWT LNG carrier was close to shore, which made escape more difficult.
However, Anderson added that there is an uptick in the number of incidents off Takoradi, but generally they are low-level attacks with the intent to steal stores or rope, not to take hostages or steal cargo.
While this attack, which took place at 00:15 hours was unwelcome it is in keeping with the “regular drumbeat” of low level, attacks according to Anderson.
