KALIZMA

General information

Course/Position

Latest news

Attack downgraded to incident

Britain’s Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency downgraded the vessel attack off Yemen’s southern coast to an “incident” after further analyzing the incident with the 'Kalizma' on April 28. Previous reports indicated that the yacht was attacked by three smaller boats near Yemen’s Nishtun port; however, it seemed as though the armed private guards of the vessel opened fire on the approaching ships killing a Yemeni coast guard agent in the process. The ship’s manager insisted that the guards opened fire at “pirates.” The armed guards were said to have fired as many as 200 rounds at the approaching ships. Yemen’s Coast Guard (YCG) approached the yacht after it failed to reply to radio calls. An armed security team onboard the yacht then opened fire on the approaching Yemenis and attempted to escape perceived pirates. The Coastguard returned fire and followed the yacht for approximately one hour until communications with the yacht could be established and the misunderstanding between the parties resolved. The yacht had penetrated territorial waters and sailed in them without raising the flag of the yacht’s country, as well as refused to respond and stop in clear violation of international maritime law, the Yemeni Coast Guard stated.

Yacht exchanged fire with Coastguard

The ' Kalizma' was approached by the Yemeni Coast Guard on April 28, 2023, near Yemen at the Oman sea border. Armed guards on board opened fire, believing they were being approached by pirates. The Coast Guard returned fire and followed the yacht for approximately an hour until communications with the yacht could be established and the misunderstanding between the parties was resolved. The yacht was en route from Mumbai to Jeddah via Salalah.