In the afternoon of Thursday 21 August 2008, the Maritime Administration of Antigua and Barbuda was advised that the Antigua and Barbuda flagged dry cargo vessel m/v “BBC TRINIDAD”, Official Number 4104, has been attacked and captured by pirates whilst proceeding from the southern entrance of the Red Sea to the Port of Muscat in the Sultanate of Oman, with thirteen crewmembers and loaded with general cargo.

When it was seized, the vessel was in international waters in the Gulf of Aden, North of the coast of Somalia.

Since then, the Maritime Administration of Antigua and Barbuda has been in close and continuous contact with the vessel’s Management Company in Germany who is monitoring the situation. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Permanent Representatives to the United N ations (UN) and to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) have also been fully informed.

On Friday 22 August, the Administration was advised that the vessel’s Management had been in contact with the vessel’s Master who had confirmed that the crew, consisting of one Slovak, three Russians and nine Philippines nationals, were all safe and in good health.

The hijackers, consisting of nine heavily armed persons, were in full control of the vessel but so far, no negotiation with them has taken place.

The vessel’s Management Company has stressed that the foremost priority was the safety of the crewmembers. (Ends)