Both Vessels Recovered and Crew Safe Following Two Pirate Attacks Off Coast of Malabo Island, Near Cameroon

May 05: Initial reports suggest that a tug was boarded and hijacked whilst underway approx. 30 nm WSW of Punta Oscura, Malabo Island. Later the same day, the tug is believed to have been used as a mother vessel for the same perpetrators to launch an attack on a semi sub heavy lift vessel at 14:00 LT. It is unclear whether the latter vessel was hijacked, but both vessels and all crew were subsequently reportedly rescued during a joint operation by the Spanish and Equatorial Guinean Navies. Pirates allegedly disembarked and escaped.