While anchored at Callao Anchorage Area “1”, Peru, on 16 March, the Hong Kong-flagged bulk carrier ‘Baker River’ was boarded and robbed by armed perpetrators, who threatened and tied a crew member.
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This is according to data from ReCAAP ISC in its weekly report for 16-22 March, which records no incidents of piracy or armed robbery against ships in Asia, but informs of this incident in Peru.
More specifically, while the Hong Kong-flagged bulk carrier ‘ Baker River’ was at anchor shortly after midnight on 16 March, about 7-8 perpetrators armed with knives boarded the bulk carrier unnoticed from the foreward part of the ship.
The perpetrators held hostage a crew who was on patrol, tied him to the foreward coaming, threatened him with a knife, and ordered him to maintain silence. The perpetrators took the crew’s radio, switched it off, and also took the key to the fore store. Then, they stole the ship’s equipment including mooring ropes, descaling machine, pumps, cable, extension cord, etc., and escaped.
Meanwhile, the crew had gathered and locked themselves inside the accommodation. After the perpetrators had left the ship, a search was carried out and the crew who was tied to the foreward coaming was released.
The incident was reported to Callao VTS “TRAMAR”, who dispatched a Coast Guard boat to the location. The officers boarded the ship and a search was conducted but no perpetrators were found.