ReCAAP Incident Alert
ReCAAP map shows the approximate location of theincidents (please click here for a larger view)
The ReCAAP ISC issued incident alert to inform that on 21 Aug and 22 Aug 2015, six vessels while underway in the eastbound lane of theTraffic Separation Scheme (TSS) in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore reported to theSingapore Vessel Traffic Information System (VTIS) via VHF about five unauthorizedboardings and an attempted one.
The Singapore Port Operation Control Center (POCC) immediately notified theauthorities of the littoral States and initiated navigational broadcast to warn mariners tomaintain anti-piracy watch.
Description of the incidents
21 August 2015
At about 0230 hrs, Advantage Summer was underway when five perpetratorsattempted to board the vessel at the stern from a speedboat. The crew was alerted,the perpetrators aborted the attempt and fled. The master reported incident to theVTIS via VHF.
Slightly more than an hour later, at about 0340 hrs, Navig8 Stealth SV wasunderway when four perpetrators armed with knives were sighted in the engineroom. The master raised the alarm and the perpetrators fled. There was no lossof property and the crew was safe.
Less than an hour later, at about 0430 hrs, Maersk Lebu was underwaywhen four perpetrators were again sighted in the engine room. The master raisedthe alarm and the perpetrators escaped in a waiting small boat. There was no lossof property and the crew was safe.
At about 2329 hrs, Peace Bright was underway when four perpetrators weresighted onboard the vessel. The alarm was raised and the perpetrators escaped ina waiting boat. There was no loss of property and the crew was safe.
22 August 2015
At about 0525 hrs, Atout was underway when the crew sighted fourperpetrators without weapons onboard the vessel. The alarm was raised and theyescaped. There was no loss of property and the crew was safe.
About an hour later, Elbtank Denmark was underway when the crew sightedfour perpetrators armed with knives onboard the vessel. The perpetrators stole the crew’s personal effects and escaped in a small boat. The crew was safe.
Name and Type of Ship :
Advantage Summer / Tanker
Navig8 Stealth SV / Tanker
Maersk Lebu / Container ship
Peace Bright /Bulk carrier
Atout /Container ship
Elbtank Denmark / Tanker
Date/Local time of Incident:
21 Aug 15 at 0230 hrs
21 Aug 15 at 0340 hrs
21 Aug 15 at 0430 hrs
21 Aug 15 at 2329 hrs
22 Aug 15 at 0525 hrs
22 Aug 15 at 0535 hrs
Location of incident :
01 10.60′ N, 103 26.70′ E
01 07.20′ N, 103 29.80′ E
01 10.08′ N, 103 30.17′ E
01 04.07′ N, 103 41.58′ E
01 07.27′ N, 103 31.68′ E
01 10.40′ N, 103 49.80′ E
Comments Considering the close interval of time and proximity of these incidents, the perpetratorscould possibly be from the same group. From the description of the incidents, theperpetrators operated in about 4-5 persons, armed with knives and were opportunistic innature without targeting specific vessels. They aborted boarding when crew was alerted,and escaped empty-handed when the alarm was raised without harming the crew. Ofconcern was their persistence in ‘hovering’ in the vicinity seeking out their next target. The ReCAAP ISC commends the masters of the six vessels for reporting to the SingaporeVTIS who issued the navigational broadcast to mariners, and notified the enforcementagencies. However, it is collective effort by all stakeholders at sea and on land to do theirpart towards eradicating such incidents at sea; including timely deployment of patrolvessels by the relevant littoral State(s) and increase its surveillance in the vicinity. Fromthe incidents, enhanced vigilance, early detection of suspicious perpetrators and activationof the alarm immediately are key actions towards preventing boarding. The ReCAAP ISC strongly recommends all vessels operating in this area to exerciseenhanced vigilance and take extra precautionary measures while underway, and therelevant enforcement agencies to step up surveillance and patrols. |
Source: ReCAAP ICS