Harmony-Star Ship Details and Seafarer Feedback

In a dramatic turn of events, a piracy attempt on the Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) 'Tateyama' was successfully averted in the Strait of Hormuz on February 28, 2014. At approximately 12:18 a.m. local time, vigilant lookouts aboard the 'Tateyama' identified two skiffs speeding towards the tanker. Acknowledging the absence of an armed security team, the ship's captain promptly sent out a distress call to nearby vessels and the Omani Coastguard, seeking urgent aid. As the approaching skiffs closed in on the tanker, the captain swiftly initiated a lockdown of the vessel and increased its speed to maximum. The Combined Maritime Forces' anti-piracy task force, CT151, responded promptly by deploying the Australian frigate HMAS 'Darwin'. Additionally, a Pakistan Navy maritime patrol aircraft arrived quickly to reinforce the effort, followed closely by a U.S. maritime patrol aircraft. One of the skiffs halted in the water, while the other reduced its speed to 12.5 knots, effectively dissolving the imminent threat of an attack. Upon the tanker entering Omani territorial waters, the Omani Coastguard took decisive action, intercepting the skiffs and conducting an inquiry with the individuals onboard. This incident underscores the continued vigilance required in one of the world's busiest maritime routes. For further details, see the full report with accompanying images at Seatrade Global.