A Spanish fishing vessel, not otherwise identified, is attacked by pirates firing rocket propelled grenades. An on-board security force of private contractors returned fire, apparently driving off the attackers. There were no reported injuries and the location of the clash was not disclosed. (AP, 03/05/10)An EU NAVFOR press release offers further details:
...earlier this morning, 4 March, the 2,100 tonnes Spanish Fishing Vessel Albacan was attacked by pirates in the Indian Ocean.(EUNAVFOR PAO, 04/04/10)
The Albacan, owned by Albacora, and registered in Cadiz, was fishing half way between the Seychelles and the Kenyan coast (Mombasa) when it was approached by two pirate skiffs. The skiffs had pirates onboard with weapons clearly visible and Albacan took evasive action. After a short while one of the skiffs made a close approach and fired a rocket propelled grenade that exploded on the deck of the fishing vessel. The explosion caused a small fire that has now been extinguished. All crewmembers are unharmed.
The Albacan is carrying Vessel Protection Detachment (private security armed guards) who fired shots over the heads of the pirate skiff and they were able to repel the attack and the pirates have now left the scene.