Maritime Security News
LTTE Attacks Sri Lankan Naval Convoy
05/11/06
A gun battle between the Sri Lanka navy and Tamil Tiger rebels has left at least 50 rebels dead and 17 officers and sailors missing, military officials said Thursday afternoon.
The fighting broke out about 50 kilometers (30 miles) north of the northern port city Point Pedro in the Jaffna peninsula.
Navy fast attack craft were escorting passenger liner Pearl Cruiser, which held 710 troops returning to their assignments in the north. In initial reports, navy officials said a flotilla of 15 rebel boats attacked. One navy craft was was destroyed by a rebel suicide boat.
During the three-hour battle, officials said, at least three navy fast attack craft escorted the passenger vessel into Indian territorial waters, where the Indian Coast Guard offered protection. The ships later returned to the Northern Area Naval Base in Kankesanthurai.
Israeli Navy Captures Explosives
05/09/06
The Israeli military intercepted more than a half-ton of TNT being shipped from Egypt to the Gaza Strip. When the crew on the Palestinian boat saw Israeli navy boats approaching on May 3rd, they dumped the bags of weapons-grade TNT into the sea before escaping to the Gaza shore.
Israeli naval divers retrieved 11 bags containing 1,100 pounds of TNT from the sea floor at a depth of 100 feet. The boat escaped and five Palestinian fisherman in nearby boats were detained and questioned before it was determined they were not involved.
US Navy Exchanges Fire with Pirates
03/18/06
Two US Navy destroyers exchanged gunfire with suspected pirates off the coast of Somalia. One suspect was killed and five others were wounded. Seven other suspects were taken into custody.
The engagement occurred after the USS Cape St. George and USS Gonzalez spotted a 30-foot fishing boat about 25 nautical miles off the coast of Somalia. The boat was towing smaller skiffs and the US forces prepared to board and inspect the vessels when the supects began firing at the naval vessels.
