Commissioned in 1994 and with a displacement of 3,160 tons, the Canarias has been regularly sent by Spain to the region for security efforts. According to Atalanta, the Canarias reached the Basilisk on Thursday night. Spanish troops used the fast-rope technique, transferring by helicopter to the deck of the Liberian-registered Basilisk, which has a deadweight tonnage (DWT) of 17,800.
The Basilisk was about 380 nautical miles east of Mogadishu, Somalia, heading north when two small boats approached it on Thursday. Pirates boarded and tried to take control of the ship. Security consultant Ambrey reported that the 17 crew members, except the captain, secured themselves in the citadel and stayed there until Spanish forces boarded.
One crew member was injured during the pirate attack, according to EUNAVFOR, and received medical help. Ambrey reported that the captain had been shot in the arm.
Spanish forces confirmed that the pirates had fled and the ship was secure. The Basilisk is now continuing its voyage to the United Arab Emirates.
Separately, EOS Risk Group reported that a Panama-registered cargo ship, the Al Amal, was approached by three small boats while sailing about 185 nautical miles southeast of Hafun, Somalia. The Al Amal, an 8,900 DWT cargo ship, is managed from Oman. It is unclear where the vessel was heading.
"Al Amal was requested to reduce speed; however, it increased speed to distance itself from the suspect dhows," said Martin Kelly, head of advisory at EOS Risk Group. The small boats reportedly followed the cargo ship for over five hours.
Nearly two weeks ago, the same Spanish frigate, Canarias, responded to another incident in the Indian Ocean. Pirates exchanged gunfire with the security crew on a product tanker. The pirates withdrew without boarding, but the Canarias found them and handed them over to the Seychelles for prosecution.
