Five piracy incidents against ships in Asia, comprising four actual incidents and one attempted incident, were reported to the ReCAAP ISC, during 21-27 November 2017.
Of the five incidents, two incidents actually occurred at the aforementioned period and the other three incidents occurred earlier, but were reported to the ReCAAP ISC after further verification and with added inputs.
The first incident for last week involves the ‘Ever Prosper’ tugboat and the ‘Ever Omega’ barge, off Pulau Penghibu, Indonesia. ‘Ever Prosper’ towing ‘Ever Omega’, carrying 3,700 tons of CPKO (Crude Palm Kernel Oil), was underway towards Butterworth, Malaysia, when a group of perpetrators armed with parangs boarded the ships and tied up the 10 crew on board.
The perpetrators took off with Ever Omega and six crew on board, and left behind tugboat Ever Prosper with four crew who later managed to free themselves and sailed the tug boat to waters off southern Johor. A MMEA boat from Sedili district maritime in Johor escorted Ever Prosper to Tanjung Pengelih. The perpetrators had reportedly also siphoned some fuel from the tug boat.
The MMEA contacted the Indonesian authorities to locate the barge Ever Omega. On 23 Nov 17 at about 1800 hrs, the Indonesian authorities found Ever Omega and towed her to Tanjung Pinang, Indonesia. All 10 crew was safe. The oil cargo on board the barge was missing. Investigation is ongoing.
The second incident is about ‘SKS Doyles’ tanker, approximately 14.8 nm east of Tanjung Berakit, Pulau, Indonesia.
While at anchor, the duty bosun and OS during their rounds on board the ship, discovered that the two padlocks at the main deck of steering gear room entrance were damaged and one padlock was missing. Also the paint locker and the main entrance to engine room incinerator deck were found with signs of attempted entry into the engine casing.
The master conducted a search on board the ship and found no sign of intruders on board; and no ship properties and stores were missing. The master enforced BMP4 measures with wire around the accommodation; and with the aft part of the poop deck having one door single entry point. Double anti-piracy watch was implemented with patrols carried out on deck from sunset until sunrise.
Recommedations
The ReCAAP ISC urges ship masters and crews:
- to report all incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships to the nearest coastal State and flag State,
- to exercise vigilance and adopt relevant preventive measures taking reference from the Regional Guide to Counter Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia. It also reiterates to all ships
- to re-route from the area, where possible. Otherwise, to exercise extra vigilance while transiting the Sulu-Celebes Sea and eastern Sabah region.
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