Attack on ship in bay repulsed

Attack on ship in bay repulsed

MANILA (Reuter): A gunbattle broke out when guards and the Philippine coast guard repulsed an attack by pirates on a Russian ship anchored in Manila Bay, the coast guard said yesterday.

The 4,295 gross ton Gorno Altaysk was attacked before dawn on Wednesday by two boatloads of pirates who boarded the vessel during a storm, a coast guard spokesman said.

Some were able to get on board by climbing through the hole for the anchor chain. But guards posted on the ship spotted them and opened fire.

A coast guard patrol boat heard the shooting and chased the pirates, who escaped in the storm.

The coast guard could not say whether any pirates were injured or killed when they attacked the Gorno Altaysk, which has a crew of 29 that includes some women.

No one among the ship's crew, the guards or the coast guard was hurt.