Piracy attempt on Maltese ship foiled, Navy rushes help

A Maltese bulk carrier passing about 200 nautical miles off Laskhadweep Islands in Indian Exclusive Economic Zone today came under pirate attack following which the Navy rushed its warship from Kochi to help the merchant vessel.

But the attack was foiled even before the Indian warship could reach the merchant vessel 'MV Melina I', the Navy said here in a press release.

However, the Navy did not spell out how the pirate attack was foiled by the merchant vessel. Merchant vessels are not permitted to carry arms on board and hence are vulnerable to attack from pirates, who are well armed.

"Around 6 am today, the Master of MV Melina I had reported sighting of four skiffs approaching his vessel and sought
assistance. Accordingly, the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast
Guard had launched operations for assistance to the ship," the
release said.

The Maltese ship was on passage from Ukraine to Paradip in Orissa when it encountered the pirates. 

The Southern Naval Command here said the warship, INS Sujatha, with an armed helicopter and Marine Commandos (MARCOS) on board had the capability to effectively deal with
any "emergent situation".

The Coast Guard, on its part, rushed its vessel 'CGS Annie Basant' and a Dornier maritime patrol aircraft to render assistance to the distressed vessel, the release said. 

Considering the situation, INS Sujata would close in on the merchant vessel and escort it to safe waters before returning to its base.