A Barbados-flagged handysize bulk carrier repelled two pirate approaches in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, reported Saint Petersburg's PortNews.

The 31,896-dwt vessel was chased by small craft that opened fire while transiting the narrow waterway linking the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Armed guards on board returned fire, preventing any boarding attempts.

Private maritime security firm Diaplous Group confirmed the bulker came under attack twice and that the crew was unharmed. Pirates in skiffs were driven off by the security team, allowing the ship to continue its voyage safely.

The Bobik is a Barbados-flagged dry bulk carrier with a length of roughly 175 metres and beam of 29 metres. Century Shipmanagement SA is the commercial manager, while Euromed Shipmanagement Ltd is the registered owner.

The vessel was taking precautions by carrying armed guards aboard. It had posted a warning on its AIS. It later changed the message on the AIS to read "Chinese crew."

The first report said the vessel had been approached by as many as 15 skiffs while it was 15 nautical miles west of Yemen near the Bab al-Mandeb strait. UKMTO reports the captain said some of the small boats had come within 500 to 1,000 feet of the bulker. The armed security guards fired on the boats, and the ship altered course.

The small boats moved away from the bulker, but reports are saying that at least several of the boats circled back and again approached the vessel. The Bobik has continued on its course, and the crew remains on alert.