In its weekly report for 6-12 November 2018, ReCAAP ISC noted that there were no reports of piracy and armed robbery against ships in Asia. The report however included an attempted incident outside Asia, involving the Singaporean-flagged tanker ‘Po Yang Hu’, while underway in the Gulf of Aden, in the early morning hours of 2 November.
While sailing, the duty officer noticed a suspicious mother boat with unknown number of people on board and two skiffs with two men on board each skiff. The duty officer informed the master who activated security measures by activating the deck water spray, broadcasted the security situation through VHF Ch 16 and stationed three guards at the bridge.
He commenced the lock down procedure and informed company’s CSO, operator and UKMTO of the situation. When the tanker manoeuvred and increased speed, the mother boat and its two skiffs stopped chasing the tanker. The crew was not injured and no items were stolen.
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.
Meanwhile, as the threat of abduction of crew in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and waters off eastern Sabah remains, ReCAAP ISC recommends all ships to reroute from the area, where possible, otherwise to exercise extra vigilance while transiting the Sulu-Celebes Seas and eastern Sabah region, and report immediately to the appropriate Centres.
