A total of 10 perpetrators armed with knives boarded the tug boat/supply vessel ‘Bridgewater 80’, while underway west of Kutubdia, Bangladesh, according to information by ReCAAP ISC.
The incident, which took place in the afternoon of 12 December, was the only one reported against ships in Asia according to ReCAAP ISC’s weekly report for 8-14 December.
While underway and dead towing a bulk carrier, 10 perpetrators armed with knives in two small boats approached the vessel from starboard side.
The perpetrators boarded the tug boat/supply vessel and stole two drums of hydraulic oil and hoses.
Upon discovering the perpetrators onboard, the master immediately contacted the local Coast Guard.
Responding to the master’s call, the local coast guard proceeded to the incident location. There was no reported damage to the tug boat/supply and the crew was not injured.
This incident was classified as CAT 2, which means moderately significant. Under this category, the perpetrators are likely to be armed with knives/machetes and in some incidents armed with guns. The crew is threatened or held hostage temporarily and, in some cases, the crew suffered injury and physical violence.
The weekly report includes also one incident outside Asia. The incident occurred on 8 December onboard an unidentified tug boat/supply vessel, while anchored at Carena Shipyard, Abidjan Yellow Yard Buoy, Ivory Coast.
While at anchor, an unknown number of perpetrators boarded unseen from port quarter and stole a mooring line and a dockyard wilden pump. The perpetrators escaped in a small skiff dragging the mooring line. The crew was not injured.
