Tokyo: Mitsui O.S.K. Lines has reported that its 13,038 ton operated car carrier Jasmine Ace was fired on by pirates in two high-speed boats about 480 miles east of Somalia around at 16:10 local time on Sunday, March 22. The Cayman Islands-flagged ship, which was under way to Mombasa in Kenya with a cargo of 377 used cars onboard, sustained some damage to the hull, but quickly accelerated and took evasive action such as zigzagging. After about 40 minutes, the pirates gave up chasing her at 22:50 on Sunday, March 22.
None of her 18 Filipino crewmembers were injured in the attack, and no oil leaked from the hull. Bullets also damaged some windows in the wheelhouse, but the Jasmine Ace continues under its own power, and is now proceeding toward safer waters.
News of this failed attack comes as Korean Naval Ship, "Munmu The Great", makes its way to the Horn of Africa to join the other naval forces combating piracy in the region. [23/03/09]
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