09:57 GMT, October 29, 2009 Early this morning a Thailand flagged fishing vessel (Thai Union 3) was under attack by two skiffs in the Position about 200 nautical miles north of the Seychelles and 650 miles off the Somali coast. The European Union Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Maritime Patrol Aircraft based in the Seychelles was tasked for further investigations.

At 5.30 UTC the EU NAVFOR Maritime Patrol Aircraft made visual contact with the fishing vessel and confirmed that pirates were on board. Skiffs used by pirates have been sighted onboard the fishing vessel. EU NAVFOR will continue to monitor the vessel that now appears to be heading towards the Somali coast.

Adding this fishing vessel to the total number, this makes 8 ships in total held by criminals at the Somali Coastline.


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