A general cargo vessel sailing under the flag of Cameroon was boarded and seized by pirates off the coast of Somalia on Monday, August 17, according to the Maritime Security Centre Indian Ocean initiative of European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) Atalanta.
Reports stated that eight pirates boarded the 1,401DWT Lutuf while she was in Somali territorial waters approximately four nautical miles south of Mareeyo.
EUNAVFOR Atalanta officials said that they have been monitoring the situation. However, no details have been provided on the condition of the ship's crew.
The boarding is the latest incident to occur during a period of increased pirate activity off Somalia despite monsoon conditions in the region presenting challenges to navigation for small vessels such as the skiffs often employed by perpetrators.
According to the Joint Maritime Information Center of the 47-nation Combined Maritime Forces, the crews of four other hijacked merchant vessels remain under the custody of Somali pirates.