17 LMM V I S I O N ISSUE 23 | Q4 2025 Lessons learned Each voyage through the Indian Ocean is risk-assessed in line with Security intelligence available at the time and continues to be reassessed while the vessel is enroute. Always maintain the minimum distance from Somali coastline as per voyage-specific Risk Assessment and Company’s Security procedures. On all voyages passing off Somali coast, vessels to have onboard a team of armed guards, while also maintaining sufficient distance from (i) shore and (ii) from any reported pirate activity in the area. vessel’s hull (above sea level, port side aft quarter freeboard, breaching into a cofferdam space without exploding in the vessel). Despite Master’s and crew efforts and preparedness (hardening as per BMP, conducting evasive manoeuvres at maximum speed, having razor wires armament on vessel’s sides, fire hoses running on vessel’s sides, blacked out windows on main deck, locking of all external accommodation entrances etc) the pirates were successful in boarding the vessel from their skiff. At the time of their boarding, all crew members had already successfully proceeded to the vessel’s Citadel area and remained locked-in, while establishing contact with the management company and Emergency Response Team via communication equipment installed in the Citadel. In line with security protocols and following coordination by the Emergency Response Team (that retained communication with vessel’s Master and with EU NAVFOR ATALANTA task force throughout the incident), the nearest available frigate was mobilized to render assistance to the vessel. It was also understood from crew onboard that the pirate group has departed from the vessel following their inability to take control and capture/kidnap any of the crew members, as all crew members remained safely locked in the Citadel. The next day, the naval frigate personnel boarded the vessel via helicopter, performed a thorough control of all areas and subsequently enabled the crew to exit unharmed from the Citadel. After the Master and crew completed an initial damage assessment of the vessel and having ensured the vessel’s seaworthiness and safety, the vessel resumed the sea passage, bound for her next port of call. Immediate Causes Substandard Action Inadequate course re-adjustment further offshore (east bound) from Somali coast, following identification and sharing of security intelligence in respect to Pirate Action Group activity in the Indian Ocean. Substandard Condition Vessel’s course was within operating radius of pirate mothership, as reported following the approach on another tanker (at a distance significantly closer to Somali coast) Corrective / Preventive Actions ●● Immediate instructions were provided to other Fleet Vessels transiting the Indian Ocean, to alter their routing and increase the distance from the Somali Coastline. ●● CSO revised the instructions to Fleet vessels for Northbound and Southbound transits through the Indian Ocean, increasing the distance to maintain from the Somali coastline for each such transit and mandating the employment of PCASP from Company’s list of approved Maritime Security providers , for each such transit. ●● Incident report was included in the agenda of the on-board discussion by all Fleet vessels, during the next scheduled SCM. ●● CSO conducted a vertical review of Company procedures and processes, with the aim to identify further improvements on identification, communication and assessment of Maritime Security Hazards when a vessel is sailing in areas of elevated Risk for piracy. ●● External Maritime Security experts/specialists reviewed the present arrangements for the Citadel space on each individual fleet vessel type, aiming to identify potential enhancements in communication facilities available, crew comfort for prolonged stay, ways to exercise additional control of the vessel’s movement and any other way the effectiveness of the space may be improved. ●● Company security procedures and processes were reviewed and re-assessed by External Maritime Security experts/specialists, with the aim to effect changes where necessary and further increase the level of preparedness and preventive actions. INCIDENT REPORT
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