An offshore supply vessel was reportedly attacked offshore Mexico on Friday, July 24, in an incident that was described as a "violent armed boarding and robbery of personal belongings."

Pirates Attack Another Offshore Vessel in Mexico
Caption: Offshore Tug/Supply Ship Natalie - Image courtesy of Wolfgang Berthel

The maritime safety intelligence company Dryad said Monday that the offshore supply vessel Natalie was boarded while conducting operations in the vicinity of the ODIN Offshore platform 12nm NE of Coatzacoalcos.

"It is understood that the vessel was boarded early morning within hours of darkness. A channel 16 broadcast received from the vessel stated “We would like to inform you that at this moment pirates are getting on board the ship NATALIE which is near the ODIN platform," Dryad said.

Dryad further cited reports which said that the crew aboard the 1982-built offshore vessel was subjected to violent armed boarding and robbery of personal belongings.

"There is no mention as yet of any personnel injured, kidnapped, or theft of cargo," Dryad said.

Dryad has said that 2020 has seen a significant increase in maritime crime and piracy in the waters offshore the Campeche, Tabasco, and Veracruz states in Mexico.

Source: MarineLink