21.9.11

Pacific Express: aflame, rescued from pirates




The Cypriot 1981-built merchant ship "Pacific Express", was allegedly target of a kidnapping effort by armed pirates.
This morning the destroyer "Andrea Doria", engaged in the Indian Ocean as part of NATO's anti-piracy operation called "Ocean Shield", has intervened to give support.
IMO: 8009454
Flag: Cyprus
MMSI: 212834000
Callsign: P3KX8
Former name(s):
- Delmas Charcot (Until 2001 Dec 22)
- Pacific Express (Until 2000 Dec 10)
- Pacific Wind (Until 1999 Jun 17)
- Pacific Maru (Until 1996 Jun 21)

Owner: Cyprus Maritime Co. Limited
Athens, Greece
Manager: Cyprus Maritime
Athens, Greece

The Cypriot merchant ship "Pacific Express", was target of a kidnapping effort by armed pirates.
This morning the destroyer "Andrea Doria", engaged in the Indian Ocean as part of NATO's anti-piracy operation called "Ocean Shield", has intervened to give support.
The attack, thwarted by the prompt reaction of the crew which closed itself in the citadel (the protected part of the superstructure), lasted almost all night and also caused a fire on board. Upon its arrival in the area, about 200 miles east of Mombasa, the ship "Doria" approached the merchant, verified the absence of pirates on board, allegedly fled with the view of the military unit, and sent a team of security to free the crew.

Afterwards the commander of the "Pacific Express", given the severity of the fire, said the ship is lost and asked for help to our unity. The destroyer "Andrea Doria" has shipped the entire crew of the merchant ship (Ukrainian commander and 25 Philippine sailors) and headed to Mombasa where they have requested to be landed.

The ship "Andrea Doria", the Control Ship of the NATO's mission Standing NATO Maritime Group 1's , under the command of rear admiral Gualtiero Mattesi, has been engaged since last June 14 in the Indian Ocean as part of NATO's "Ocean Shield" operation to counter piracy.

No comments: