Information Fusion Centre (IFC) issued its latest infographic, providing a summary of incidents against ships in the Singapore Strait as of 12 April 2022.
According to the infographic, there were a total of 1 new incident that happened since March. The incident occurred in the Eastbound Lane of Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) within the Singapore Strait, off North Bintan in hour of darkness.
IFC assessed that the decline in incident numbers since last update is possibly a result of the combined effects of enhanced vigilance and adoption of recommended Ship Protection Measures by transiting vessels, and the stepped-up enforcement efforts by littoral states on land and at sea.
Based on the incident reports, in most cases, perpetrators avoided confrontation, and fled immediately upon being sighted by crew.
Perpetrators usually are in group of average 4-6, and use small boats, targeting slow-moving vessels (7-12 knots) with low freeboard.
Recommendations
- Remain vigilant, particularly when transiting the areas of concern in the Phillip Channel, and off Bintan and Batam;
- Adopt Ship Protection Measures recommended in the Regional Guide 2 to Counter Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia, e.g., (1) turn on weather deck lighting around the accommodation block and rear facing lighting on the poop deck, (2) maintain an all-round lookout at an elevated position with focus on suspicious small craft(s) approaching or in proximity to the ship’s aft, and (3) sound ship’s alarm when suspicious small craft(s) sighted
- Participate in Voluntary Community Reporting as depicted in 4th Edition MARSEC Charts Q6112 and Q6113; upon sighting of suspicious activities, immediately report to local authorities and inform the IFC.
