On March 27, 2011 a group of pirates attempted to seize the Asia tanker owned by Novoship 235 nm northeast of Socotra Island, the State Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre of Russia said. The tanker has a crew of 23 (all Russian nationality).
According to the report, a boat with 3 pirates on board tried to move closer to the tanker but after the merchant ship’s security opened warning fire the pirates left the scene and returned to their mother ship. The shipmaster reports that the danger has been over and the ship is now en route to the port of destination. He also confirmed he failed to contact the EUNAVFOR coalition forces, operating in the area.