BOW ORION

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Course/Position

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Tanker attacked in Bab-el-Mandeb Strait

A suspicious high speed craft with ten armed men on board made a suspicious approach to the 'Bow Orion' on Sep 9. 2020, around 6 a.m. The tanker was underway within the southern Bab-el-Mandeb Strait and was in position 12°22.07N 043°48.00 E- The approach was undertaken by a high-speed craft, with ten persons on board. The approach was conducted from the port side of the vessel, and came within 0.4 nm of the vessel. Weapons were observed onboard the craft which approached the vessel and requested it to stop via VHF radio. In response the vessel increased its speed, carried out lockdown procedures, and the onboard armed security arm took position on the bridge of the vessel. Prior to this incident the same craft was reported to have approached a bulk carrier, where it attempted communications by VHF, and claimed they were a vessel of the Yemeni Coastguard.