Pirates Active in New Year Attacks on Shipping
Robbers boarded an anchored chemical tanker, stole ship’s properties and escaped unnoticed. Incident reported to Port Authorities. Three robbers armed with a gun boarded a bulk carrier carrying out loading operations at anchor. They took hostage the duty A/B on routine rounds, tied him up and stole his personal effects. The robbers then broke into the forecastle store, stole ship's property and escaped. The A/B managed to untie himself and reported the incident to the duty officer. Five pirates boarded a drifting gas carrier.
French Bulk Carrier Runs Aground in Australia
A French-registered bulk carrier carrying a load of grain from Geelong to Taiwan ran aground in Melbourne's Port Philip Bay on Thursday night, an Australian maritime authority said on Friday. The fully laden 18,600-ton bulk carrier Mirande ran aground just before 10 p.m. on Thursday after reporting steering problems, said the Marine Board of Victoria. "There is no environmental problem, no damage to the hull, the weather is favorable, the ship is in sheltered waters and is sitting on sand," a Marine Board chief executive said. An unsuccessful attempt to refloat Mirande, which has a crew of 18, was made at high tide on Friday morning and another attempt will be made at the night high tide, which is forecast to be at around 9:00 p.m.
