Unheard hijacking of ocean-going bulk carrier Trudy in the heart of Europe (Dunkirk, France) took place during the night Oct 10-11. Several men armed with wooden clubs seized bulk carrier TRUDY and held her, together with replacement 20 crew, for some 4-5 hours, until around 0500 LT Oct 11. They thoroughly searched the ship and cargo. They didn’t take anything and left the ship, several crew said to be injured during the hijack.
Perpetrators invaded the port, hijacked the ship and after that, fled, without seemingly, any problem – they weren’t arrested or persecuted or contradicted (except it seems, by crew), they did what they planned to do, and disappeared.

Previously Bulk carrier TRUDY was intercepted in English Channel and taken to Dunkirk on Oct 1, by French law enforcement agency. 1127 kilo of cocaine were found in cargo hold. All 20 crew were arrested, and reportedly, taken to Paris for investigation. Crew is multinational, including Russians, Ukrainians, Filipinos, Ethiopians, and Romanian Master.

Less and less difference between the EU and world "hot spots” like Gulf of Guinea, in terms of law, safety and security. Welcome to Guy Ritchie’s movie aka "new normal” reality!

1 Betcha the pirates were the original purchasers of the coke, and were trying to "take delivery." I agree things are getting out of hand. It's a wonder we haven't had any piracy among all those cargo ships stuck on the California coast.

2 You're probably right Dana.

Yeah; all those ships are prime pickings for them. And with Captain Peachfuzz at the helm...