The forces
of EUNAVFOR Atalanta are responding to the reports of a privacy incident
currently underway off the coast of Somalia. Details are still unfolding with later updates expected once the
warship assigned to Atalanta reaches the scene.
Two small
crafts are reported to have come alongside the Liberian-registered Basilisk (17,800
dwt). The vessel’s last AIS signal was transmitted two days ago as it was north
of Madagascar. The indication is that the vessel was traveling from Porto
Grande in Cape Verde where it departed on May 3 and was due to reach Khalifa in
the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on May 29.
Built in 2013, the vessel is a
general multipurpose dry cargo ship managed by MINSHIP Shipmanagement of
Germany.
Atalanta
is placing the ship as sailing approximately 380 nautical miles east of
Mogadishu, Somalia, heading north. The UK Maritime Trade Organizations places
the vessel approximately 420 nautical miles southeast of Merca, Somalia.
There are
unconfirmed reports that the crew was able to secure themselves in the vessel’s
citadel. Atalanta reports one of its warships is in the vicinity and is first
to respond.