Posted:
November 2, 2009
The M/V Harriette, a U.S.-flagged ship operated by Sealift Inc. and manned in all licensed positions by American Maritime Officers, sustained small arms fire and evaded an attack by pirates about 360 nautical miles from Mombasa, Kenya, around 11 a.m. local time. No officers or crew members on the Harriette were harmed in the attack.
Pirates in two skiffs with five to six persons onboard fired on the Harriette with AK-47 weapons and closed to within three feet of the ship, but were unable to board, according to a U.S. Navy spokesman. Rocket-propelled grenades were seen but not used. The Harriette sustained damage to the bridge and port wing, according to the Navy report. The ship increased speed and the pirates in the skiffs broke off the attack.
“We’re all, of course, relieved that nobody onboard the Harriette was hit or harmed in the attack,” said AMO National President Tom Bethel. “The rapid response of the officers and crew to thwart the attack reflects the caliber of American merchant mariners on the job. Continued attacks against ships of all nations are not acceptable. The Harriette was on a mission to deliver U.S. government-impelled food-aid, and for ships such as this, the U.S. military should be providing embarked security teams.”
The M/V Harriette had completed discharge of U.S. food-aid cargo to Mombasa and was en route to her next port of call when the pirates attacked. After successfully evading the attack, the M/V Harriette continued her voyage on schedule.
“We’re very proud of the master, Michael Tolley,” said John Belle, company security officer for Sealift Inc. “His actions saved the ship and the crew.”
M/V Harriette evades pirate attack; crew unharmed
The M/V Harriette, a U.S.-flagged ship operated by Sealift Inc. and manned in all licensed positions by American Maritime Officers, sustained small arms fire and evaded an attack by pirates about 360 nautical miles from Mombasa, Kenya, around 11 a.m. local time. No officers or crew members on the Harriette were harmed in the attack.
Pirates in two skiffs with five to six persons onboard fired on the Harriette with AK-47 weapons and closed to within three feet of the ship, but were unable to board, according to a U.S. Navy spokesman. Rocket-propelled grenades were seen but not used. The Harriette sustained damage to the bridge and port wing, according to the Navy report. The ship increased speed and the pirates in the skiffs broke off the attack.
“We’re all, of course, relieved that nobody onboard the Harriette was hit or harmed in the attack,” said AMO National President Tom Bethel. “The rapid response of the officers and crew to thwart the attack reflects the caliber of American merchant mariners on the job. Continued attacks against ships of all nations are not acceptable. The Harriette was on a mission to deliver U.S. government-impelled food-aid, and for ships such as this, the U.S. military should be providing embarked security teams.”
The M/V Harriette had completed discharge of U.S. food-aid cargo to Mombasa and was en route to her next port of call when the pirates attacked. After successfully evading the attack, the M/V Harriette continued her voyage on schedule.
“We’re very proud of the master, Michael Tolley,” said John Belle, company security officer for Sealift Inc. “His actions saved the ship and the crew.”