20100401
press tv

Vessels passing through the waters of East Africa are at risk of attacks by heavily armed Somali pirates, an international maritime watchdog warns.

The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) issued the alert on Thursday amid concerns that the end of the monsoon season could lead a hike in pirate attacks.

"It is a dangerous time for ships with the end of the monsoon season…The pirates are lurking out there and are looking for ships to hijack," Noel Choong, head of IMB piracy reporting center in Kuala Lumpur told AFP.

The watchdog also added that night farers would be in danger as the full moon and good visibility would work in favor of the pirates.

Pirates have grown bolder in armed attacks despite the presence of an anti-piracy EU naval mission patrolling the dangerous waters off Somalia. The mission is assisted by the United States and other national navies.

Last month, a frigate from the EU NAVFOR in the region rescued Iranian fishermen tied up and left for dead by pirates after their supplies and oil was looted.

Nine sailors were seriously wounded on Wednesday in a violent pirate attack that saw Somali pirates use automatic rifles and rocket-propelled grenades on a Mombasa-bound North Korean vessel.

According to the IMB figures, Somali pirates have successfully hijacked seven vessels since January after attacking 32 ships. Pirates are currently holding 17 ships together with more than 200 sailors hostage.