Incident alert 03/2013
ReCAAP ISC has issued incident alert 03/2013 regarding an incident involving the tanker Armada Ali.
On 23 Sep 13 at or about 0230 hrs, a Marshall Islands-registered tanker, Armada Ali wasconducting STS operations with another vessel at Nipah anchorage, Indonesia when threerobbers armed with knives and metal rods boarded the tanker. The crew forward ofmidship confronted the robbers, who threw some bolts at the crew. A knife was alsoallegedly thrown by the robbers at one of the crew.
The robbers escaped empty-handed.The robbers were described as sturdy, middle-aged men and violent in nature. Theywere clad in blue overalls but were barefooted. Footprints were later seen in the vicinityof three port cargo tank, indicating the robbers could have boarded from port shipsideforward of manifold. The Singapore Police Coast Guard and Republic of Singapore Navywere informed; and a NAVTEX broadcast was initiated to warn the vessels in the vicinity.
Comments by ReCAAP ISC
A total of seven incidents were reported in the vicinity of Pulau Nipah during JanuarySeptember 2013. Of significance to note is all seven incidents involved tankers atanchor. However, there is no substantial evidence that the robbers operating in the areatarget tankers. Therefore, the ReCAAP ISC urges all ship masters and crew operating inthe vicinity to exercise vigilance and report all incidents to the coastal State and flag Stateimmediately. See map below for the approximate location of the incidents.
Click on image to enlarge
(Image Credit: ReCAAP Incident Alert 03/2013)
Source: ReCAAP
