(Antigua Sun) – Another Antigua and Barbuda flagged vessel was hijacked last Friday.

The Maritime Administration of Antigua and Barbuda was advised that the Antigua and Barbuda flagged cargo vessel the MV Charelle had been hijacked by eight pirates 11 miles off the coast of Omani near Ras el Had, some 20 miles SE from Muscat.

The vessel had sent a VHF Mayday which was relayed by a vessel in the vicinity. The Mayday advised that the vessel had been boarded by Somali pirates. A passing vessel reported that there had been a fire on board and that the crew had initially taken refuge in the engine room.

Reports indicate that the ship had been stopped for some time and then thereafter it was noted that the vessel had started steaming initially west and then south. The 10 crew are reportedly being treated well although none are responding to phone calls or e-mails. The vessel is currently being escorted by a Coalition Naval Vessel and an Omani Naval Vessel and they have advised that they will not intervene in the event that they endanger the crew.

The Maritime Administration of Antigua and Barbuda has been in close contact with the vessel’s Management Company which is located in New Zealand in an effort to monitor the situation.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Antigua and the Permanent Represen-tative of Antigua and Barbuda to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) have been fully informed.