In its weekly piracy report, ReCAAP ISC informed of an armed robbery against the Mongolian-flagged tanker ‘Lee Bo’, while sailing approximately 6.5 nm east of Pulau Tinggi, Malaysia, on 1 June.
While underway, the Chief Officer on duty detected a small boat alongside the ship. Shortly thereafter, 14 perpetrators armed with knives and machetes boarded the ship.
Upon realizing that the ship did not carry any oil cargo, the perpetrators robbed all the 12 crew, comprising Indonesian and Sri Lankan nationals, of their personal belongings. Two crew were slightly injured in the process.
Upon receipt information of the incident, the MMEA immediately deployed its ship KM Sebatik, Agusta Westland AW139 helicopter and the Special Task and Rescue (STAR) Team to the location of the incident. The team boarded the ship, arrested the 14 perpetrators, and brought them to Mersing Maritime Zone for further investigation.
With the cooperation of the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI), two suspects believed to be masterminds (aged between 40 to 50) were arrested in Batam, Indonesia on the same day.
The ReCAAP ISC urges ship master and crew to report all incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships to the nearest coastal State and flag State, exercise vigilance and adopt relevant preventive measures taking reference from the Regional Guide to Counter Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia.
Incident outside Asia
Included in the report is an incident involving the Singaporean-flagged tug ‘Name Withheld’, while at Takoradi Anchorage,Ghana, on 13 June. While at anchor, the officer-onwatch observed a fishing boat with two men on board proceeding close to the ship; and one perpetrator onboard the ship attempting to pass the enclosed alleyway that runs the length of the cargo deck.
The alarm was raised, and upon hearing the alarm, the perpetrator ran along the enclosed passageway on the port side and jumped from the side of the ship at the rescue zone. The crew was not injured, and no items were stolen.
