Russian tanker escapes from pirates near India

Moscow, Feb 18 (Itar-Tass) A Russian tanker succeeded toescape from sea pirates in the Arabian Sea near the Indiancoast, the Russian trade union of seamen said.

It specified the incident took place on Wednesday when NSCentury tanker with the home port of call in Novorossiiskspotted three boats with six to eight people in eachapproaching the vessel.

The captain ordered to maneuver while an armed grouponboard opened warning fire. The pirates stopped and fled, thetrade union said yesterday.

It added the people in the boats did not fire at thetanker however their actions were qualified as "suspiciousapproach with all signs of sea piracy."

It praised the shipowner that hired an armed group toensure security of the vessel.

"Experts say the incident shall cause concern not only ofIndian authorities as NS Century could have been attackedclose to their coast, but also of the whole shipping industryas the incident occurred in an area recommended for navigationto vessels in order to avoid attacks by pirates," the tradeunion said. (Itar-Tass)