Source: Deia
The tuna scout boat “Ortube Berria†-which is assisting the large Spanish tuna purse seiner, the “Intertuna III†- both owned by the Spanish company Albacora, S.A., repelled an attempted pirate attack on Sunday, in the waters of the Indian Ocean around 700 miles off the coast of Somalia.
Early Sunday morning, the tuna vessel detected the presence of a suspicious boat heading their way. This was a small vessel with several armed men on board.
The skiff did not change its course and therefore the three security guards onboard the “Ortube Berria†opened fire which started a an exchange of gunfire between the three security guards aboard and the pirates. The nine crew working on the fishing boat are said to have been unharmed, but have remained “on alert†to another possible pirate attack, said one of them.
The “Ortube Berria†immediately changed its course to avoid further confrontation and leave the area as soon as possible. “We continued to travel and it seemed that they have fallen behind,†said the member of a vessel.
According to Ricardo Garcia, the spokesman for the Albacore fleet, the crew acted in accordance with standard procedure and took shelter in the safest area of the ship.
“Only the bridge officials stood by the security chief to coordinate the defense of the boat. Fortunately, the pirates retreated, just as they always do when they experience any opposition,†said Garcia.
This is the second time that the “Ortube Berria†suffers a pirate attack. The tuna scout boat had experienced a similar attack in November 2009 when sailing through international waters, when a group of pirates attempted to attack 230 miles southwest of the Seychelles.
The scout boat is used to find schools of tuna and to then advise the “Intertuna III†to proceed with its captures. It also gives any necessary support to the tuna vessel, as it tends to stay at close range.