MV Medi Chennai Dodges Pirates

In the early hours of 26 November, the MV Medi Chennai was attacked approximately 880 nautical miles (1,600 kilometres) East of Port Victoria, Seychelles. This is the furthest east attack ever registered by EU NAVFOR since the beginning of its Operation in December 2008, the last eastern most attack being 60 nautical miles west from this one.

The MV Medi Chennai reported it was under attack and being fired upon with small arms and Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPG). The Captain of the bulk carrier mustered all non essential personnel in a safe room and immediately started evasive maneuvers by zigzagging five degrees at a time.

The addition of evasive maneuvers and self protection measures (barbed wires around the upper deck) made it impossible for the pirate action group to board the vessel and the MV Medi Chennai confirmed it was safe.

This is the tenth vessel that has escaped being pirated thanks to Best Management Practices in the last eight days.