In the early hours of 27 December, the MV EMS River was pirated approximately 175 nautical miles North East of the port of Salalah, Oman. The 5,200 tonne general cargo ship, which is Antigua/Barbuda flagged and German owned, was on her way to San Nicolas, Greece from Jebel Ali in the UAE at the time of the attack. She has a crew of 8 (1 Romanian, 7 Philipinos) and is carrying a cargo of Petroleum Coke. The pirated vessel MT Motivator was in the vicinity of EMS River throughout the attack which further enforces the current pirate modus operandi of the use of motherships. There are now 26 vessels and 609 hostages being held by pirates off the coast of Somalia.