In its weekly report for 16-22 October, ReCAAP ISC informed that it received no reports of piracy and armed robbery incidents against ships in Asia. However, it informed of a robbery in a Venezuelan anchorage involving the Hong Kong-flagged bulk carrier ‘Shi Zi Shan’.
While at anchor in Jose terminal in the early morning hours of 14 October, four armed perpetrators in uniform with “national guard” markings boarded the ship from a boat through the ship’s port gangway. One of the perpetrators stayed in the boat.
The perpetrators shouted to the duty crew to allow them to board for an alleged antinarcotic inspection. When boarded, they threatened the duty crew with handguns and ordered him to guide them to the master cabin.
All crew was ordered by the perpetrators to gather in the common rest room and submit all their cash and valuable belongings for inspection. The crew followed as ordered and all their cash and belongings were taken away by the perpetrators. The crew was not injured.
The master reported the incident to the agent, local maritime authorities, Chinese Embassy in Venezuela, MRCC HK, HK Maritime Department (MARDEP) and the P&I Club. The master enhanced security awareness and tightened security measures on board the ship. They urged the agents to contact the port authorities to investigate as soon as possible.
Five days earlier at Jose Anchorage, five perpetrators with face covered and armed with large knives boarded the Hong Kong-flagged tanker ‘Elbhoff’ from anchor chain and hawse pipe. They held the duty deck patrol crew from behind, tied him and threatened to kill him. The perpetrators escaped with some unsecured items. The other 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 taking reference from the Regional Guide to Counter Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia.
