ReCAAP Incident alert 08/2014
ReCAAP ISC has issued incident alert 04/2014 regarding the boarding ofoil product tanker, V.L. 14 by armed pirates.
On 28 Aug 14 at or about 2040 hrs, six pirates armed with guns boarded a Thailandregistered oil product tanker, V.L. 14 at approximately 30 nm north of Pulau Tioman (03 24 N, 104 04.80 E). The vessel of 1074 GT was enroute from Singapore to Bangkok, carrying 1,296 tonnes of lube oil. The pirates came alongside in a wooden speed boat, approached the vessel on the portside, and boarded from stern. They broke the bridge glass, gained access to the crew cabins and gathered the crew in the engine room.
The pirates took control of the vessel, sailed about 10 nm away from the location of boarding. They ordered the crew to open all cargo valves, activate the cargo pump and transfer the lube oil to two tankers which came alongside. The pirates also stole the crews personal belongings, damaged the navigational and communication system before they left V.L. 14 at or about 0400 hrs on 29 Aug 14. The crew repaired the windlass back to service temporarily, heaved up the anchor, sailed towards Pulau Tioman and reported the incident to the company. The crew was not injured.
Approximate location of incident of boarding
(Click on the image for a larger view)
Upon receiving report about the incident from the ship owner on 29 Aug 14, the ReCAAP ISC alerted the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) and triggered the ReCAAP Focal Point (Thailand) to follow up with the investigation of the incident.
| Comments by ReCAAP ISC |
| The ReCAAP ISC urges all ship master and crew to exercise enhanced vigilance, keep a sharp look-out for suspicious boats while operating in the vicinity; and report all incidents to the nearest coastal State and flag State immediately. This is the eighth incident involving siphoning fuel/oil in 2014. The ReCAAP ISC is concerned and had published a Special Report on Incidents of siphoning of fuel/oil at sea in Asia in July 2014. The report features the modus operandi of pirates/robbers involved in these incidents, shares lessons learned and recommends appropriate countermeasures to be adopted by the authorities and the shipping industry collectively |
Source and Image Credit: ReCAAP
