Pirates take Seacor Italian-flag tug

As Somali pirates continue their attacks on merchant shipping, the latest vessel seized is an American owned, Italian-flag tug, taken 70 miles south of Aden en route from Singapore to Italy, towing two barges

The Portuguese warship NRB Corte Reale receved a distress call from the Buccaneer this morning, but it was broken off after six minutes.

Italian media report that the vessel has a crew of 16 aboard, 10 of them Italian citizens.

According to the Equasis data base, the 1981-built Italian-flag Offshore Tug/Supply Ship Buccaneeer is owned by Seacor Offshore Marshall Islands and is managed by Leadership Management of Ravenna, Italy.