ReCAAP Incident Update
ReCAAP ISC has issued update regarding an the incident involving the product tanker Orapin.
On 30 May 14, the ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre (ISC) issued an Incident Alert 04/2014 following a report from the shipping company that he lost contact with his product tanker, Orapin 4.
On 28 May 14 at or about 1200 hrs (local time), the shipping company contacted Orapin 4 via email but did not receive a reply. The tanker did not arrive in Pontianak on 29 May 14 as scheduled. The company last contacted the tanker on 27 May 14 at or about 1730 hrs (local time) when the tanker was approximately 3.64 nm north of Pulau Batam, Indonesia.
The last tracked position of Orapin 4 on 27 May 14 at or about 2357 hrs (local time) was approximately 19.47 nm north of Pulau Bintan, Indonesia on a course of 053.5 and speed 9 knots. On 1 Jun 14, Orapin 4 arrived at Sriracha Port, Chon Buri, Thailand at or about 1930 hrs (local time). All 14 crew of Thai nationality was safe, and the master upon arrival reported the incident to the local police station.
What happened to Orapin 4 at sea
The shipping company informed the ReCAAP Focal Point (Thailand) who in turn reported to the ReCAAP ISC that at or about 0200 hrs (local time) on 28 May 14, 10 pirates armed with guns and knives boarded the tanker from a speed boat at a location which was about 19 nm off Indonesia in the South China Sea (exact location was not mentioned). The pirates painted the ship name from ORAPIN 4 to RAPI, and destroyed the communication equipment onboard, with intention to mask the identity of the tanker and cut off all communications while at sea. The pirates tied the crew and proceeded to the bridge to control the tanker. Another tanker came alongside and approximately 3,700 metric tonnes of ADF was siphoned from Orapin 4.
The pirates took about 10hours for siphoning before leaving the tanker and crew with enough fuel to sail back to shore. Refer to map on the approximate positions and assessed location of boarding.
| Comments by the ReCAAP ISC |
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The modus operandi of this incident was similar to the incident involving Thailand-registered oil tanker, Sri Phangnga on 17 Apr 14 when 16 pirates armed with guns and swords boarded Sri Phangnga at about 18 nm off Tanjung Sedili, Malaysia. The pirates painted over the ship name and logo, damaged the ship communication system, and siphoned 450 metric tonnes of MOGAS to a small-sized tanker which came along Sri Phangnga. The ReCAAP ISC commends the relevant authorities, governmental organisations, enforcement agencies and shipping company for their efforts in information sharing and operational follow-ups. The ReCAAP ISC continues to be a conduit for the stakeholders by providing timely situation update, sharing lessons learned and recommending countermeasures to adopt to avoid similar incident from recurring. To do this, the ReCAAP ISC reiterates the need for timely reporting and information sharing by ship master and ship owner/operator with ReCAAP Focal Points and coastal States; and the relevant authorities and enforcement agencies to enhance cooperation in information sharing and increase in surveillance and patrols in areas of concern. |
Source and Image Credit: ReCAAP ISC
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