Cargo Vessel Lutuf Seized by Pirates Off Somalia, Crew Unknown

Aug 17. Eight armed men boarded the Lutuf at around 11:36 UTC, seizing control of the ship four miles off the village of Mareeyo on Somalia's northern coast. A UKMTO advisory confirmed the takeover that same day.

The Lutuf is Cameroon-flagged, 1,401 deadweight tonnes, built in 1995. Where the crew was and what condition they were in had not been confirmed as of the warning.

This was the fifth merchant ship taken since April. A product tanker, Honour 25, was seized April 21. Sward, a cargo ship, followed five days later. Then Eureka, another product tanker, went May 2. Asana, a chemical tanker, was taken July 17. All four were still under pirate control on Aug 16, when the Joint Maritime Information Center rated the threat off the Somali coast as moderate, noting that attacks were continuing despite the monsoon season.