During the period of 20-26 February 18, one attempted incident of armed robbery against ships was reported to the ReCAAP ISC in Asia. Furthermore, two attempted incidents of piracy occurred outside Asia, in the Gulf of Aden and off Somalia, on 18 and 23 February 18 respectively.
The first incident regards the Bulk carrier “Team Challenge”, near Kolkota. While at anchor, the duty AB noticed an unusual noise coming from the anchor chain. He checked and saw one perpetrator climbing up through the anchor chain, and two persons were waiting in a boat. The duty crew shouted, and the perpetrator jumped into the water and escaped in the boat where the two perpetrators were on board. The master raised the general alarm and mustered the crew. No crew was injured and no items were stolen.
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For the second incident, the containership “Thalassa Niki” was sailing in the Gulf of Aden when the officer-onwatch spotted a suspicious boat towing three skiffs within the vicinity. About seven minutes later, the ship received a MAYDAY call via VHF 16 that a sailing yacht Arakai which was 15nm ahead of the ship, was being pursued by two skiffs. Due to the inability of Arakai to contact the coalition Navy, the master of the ship reported the incident to UKMTO.
While the ship was nearly abeam to yatch Arakai, one of the skiffs approached the ship’s starboard side and another skiff attempted to close in from its starboard side. The other three skiffs remained stationary at approximately 2.5nm from ship’s position. The crew raised the general alarm and made announcement over the PA system. The master increased the ship’s speed to maximum. The Japan Navy helicopter and warship were deployed in the
area. When the perpetrators noticed the presence of the authorities , they immediately abandoned their attempt. A total of 15 perpetrators on board five skiffs were reported, and no crew was injured.
The last incident included the Petroleum/chemical tanker “Leopard Sun”, off Somalia. The ship while sailing enroute to Cape Town, South Africa, the ship was approached by a suspiscious boat with three perpetrators on board. The perpetrators fired upon the ship. The master activated the security alert button and instructed the crew to muster at the citadel. The master altered the ship’s course and increased speed to avoid the boat. The perpetrators escaped and aborted the attack. No crew was injured.
The ReCAAP ISC recommends to ship master and crew to report all incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships to the nearest coastal State and flag State, be careful and adopt relevant preventive measures taking reference from the Regional Guide to Counter Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia. The ReCAAP ISC repeats its advisory issued via the ReCAAP ISC Incident Alert dated 21 November 2016 to all ships to re-route from the area, where possible. Otherwise, ship masters and crew are strongly urged to exercise extra vigilance while transiting the Sulu-Celebes Sea and eastern Sabah region.