During the period of 19-25 December, four incidents of armed robbery against ships were reported to the ReCAAP ISC. Of these, one incident occurred in Maheshkhali Island, Bangladesh, one incident in Cam Pha, Vietnam, while the two incidents occurred in Muara Berau, Indonesia on the same day, on the same ship.
The first incident involved the tug boat ‘Crest Spartan 8’, approximately 22 nm southwest of Maheshkhali Island, Bangladesh. While approaching Chittagong anchorage area, the crew noticed two fishing boats with eight to ten perpetrators came alongside and boarded the barge which was towed by the tugboat. The master attempted to contact the Chittagong Port Control, but, to no avail. The master and crew continued to monitor the barge and maintain the speed until it reached the anchorage area. Upon investigation, it was found that several items were stolen from the barge. There was no damage and no injury.
The second involved the bulker ‘Tron Legacy’, at Hon Net Anchorage area, Cam Pha, Vietnam. While at anchor, the AB noticed six perpetrators near the paint store and several others on the forecastle deck. Initially, the crew thought that that they were the stevedores, but when he saw one of them carrying a bucket of paint from the paint store, he suspected they were thieves. The crew informed the duty officer who later informed the master. The crew made a public announcement, raised the alarm and mustered the crew. Upon hearing the alarm, the perpetrators escaped via cargo barge moored alongside their green boat which was waiting for them. The perpetrators escaped with 882 liters of paint. Investigation is ongoing.
The bulk carrier ‘GH Northern Dancer’ was at anchor at Muara Berau,Samarinda, East Kalimantan, Indonesia, when the crew sighted three perpetrators near the forecastle deck and forward of No. 1 Ch. Upon realizing the crew had been alerted, the perpetrators escaped in a small boat alongside the ship. Upon inspection, two mooring rope were found stolen from the fore peak store, but there was no injury.
About 20 hours later, the same ship in the same anchorage was boarded by four perpetrators armed with long knives through the port anchor hawse pipe via anchor chain. The crew sighted the perpetrators and the alarm was raised. Upon realizing the crew had been alerted, the perpetrators escaped immediately. The crew was mustered and a security check on board the ship was conducted. Nothing was stolen and the crew was not injured.
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.
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