Prisco Alexandra Tanker Manages to Avoid Pirate Attack

NAKHODKA. September 25. VOSTOK-MEDIA - Prisco Alexandra tanker, which came under attack by pirates off the Gulf of Aden, has arrived at the Egyptian port of Suez unharmed. The vessel carried 41,000 tons of jet fuel and was steering from Al Ahmadi, Kuwait.

According to the press-office of JSC Primorsk Shipping Corporation PRISCO, on September 19 the vessel was approached by a motor boat with four armed pirates onboard. When pirates attempted to board Prisco Alexandra the master of the vessel Vitaly Glotov sent out an attack warning signal, which was instantly received by the multi-national naval forces patrolling the Gulf of Aden.

The master and crew took successful evasive action during the incident which prevented the pirates boarding the vessel and shook off the pursuers. During the incident the pirates attacked the vessel by automatic weapons. The ship sustained only minor damage. No crew member was injured in the incident.

As soon as the multi-national naval forces received the signal a helicopter took off from the South Korean missile destroyer "Dae Jo Young" and flew towards the scene of accident. A short time later the destroyer was dispatched there.

Commander JG Fitz of Task Group (NATO Task Group), which is operating in the Gulf of Aden, thanked the crew and company managers for taking such effective evasive action.