The Tanzanian Navy foiled a pirate attack on an offshore oil drilling ship, the Norwegian-owned, 228-meter (748 feet) Ocean Rig Poseidon, and captured seven pirates bandits on Monday (October 3). The vessel was conducting exploratory drilling for the Brazilian oil company, Petrobras. The attack occurred 23 nautical miles south-east of Mafia (island), about 82 miles south-east of Dar es Salaam.
COMMENT: The Tanzania Navy is to be commended for its proactive defense of the Norwegian ship and Petrobras' interests. In September 2010, pirates also attacked a drill ship exploring for British Ophir Energy, off the southern port town of Mtwara. The Tanzanian Navy repelled that attack as well and captured one pirate. Mtwara port is one of the three major ports managed by Tanzania Ports Authority. The others are in Dar es Salaam and Tanga.
