Piracy attempt on Maltese ship foiled, Navy rushes help

Kochi, Mar 6 (PTI) A Maltese bulk carrier passing about
200 nautical miles off Laskhadweep Islands in Indian Exclusive
Economic Zone Saturday 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 India's eastern state 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. PTI