A total of 12 robbery incidents against ships
TheReCAAP ISC has issued its monthly report on piracy for August 2013. According to the report,a total of 12 incidents of robbery against shipswere reported in August 2013. No piracy incident was reported.
The Graph below shows the number of incidents reported during the five-year reporting period(2009-2013). The number of incidents reported inAugust over the past three years (2011-2013) hasbeen fairly consistent.
Of the 12 actual incidents reported in August 2013, four were Category 2 (moderately significant) incidents, one was a Category 3 (less significant)incident and seven were petty theft (minimum significant) incidents. The incidents reported in the past two years (August of 2012 and 2013) hadbeen less severe compared to August of 2010 and 2011.
Attempted Hijack of Oil Product Tanker, Moresby 9
On 17 Aug 13 at or about 2045hrs, the Hondurasregistered oil product tanker, Moresby 9 (above) was anchored at approximately 1.83 nm southeast of Tanjung Ramunia, Malaysia when 10 masked robbers armed with long knives boarded the vessel from two speed boats. The Chief Officer spotted the speed boats and activated the SSAS.One of the crew managed to alert other vessels anchored nearby via the vessel’s radio.
After less than seven minutes, the two robbers upon seeing a Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) patrol vessel approaching Moresby 9, escaped via the port side of the bridge with cash and the crew’s personal belongings such as mobile phones, laptops and watch. In their escape, the robbers left behind their knives.
The timely arrival of the MMEA patrol vessel had foiled the plan of the robbers to hijack the tanker. This was attributed to the timely reporting made by the Singapore-based ship agent to the ReCAAP ISC when he received inputs that the tanker had been boarded at Eastern OPL by robbers who intended to hijack the tanker
Observations by the ReCAAP ISC
Compared to August 2012, the number of incidents reported in August 2013 has increased. However, the incidents in August 2013 were relatively less severe compared to August of 2010-2012. Of the 12 incidents reported in August 2013, 10 involved vessels when at anchor.It has been observed that several vessels had been negligent and did notenforce security measures when the vessels were at ports and anchorages.
The situation at the ports and anchorages inIndonesia remains a concern, with five out of 10incidents occurred there although majority werepetty theft incidents.
Conclusion
The ReCAAP ISC commends MMEA’s prompt and immediate assistance to Moresby 9 which we assessed had influenced the robbers’ decision toabandon the original plan to hijack the tanker.Worth mentioning were the alertness of the crew in activating the SSAS and timely reporting to nearby vessels anchored in the area; as well asthe immediate reporting made by the ship agent to the ReCAAP ISC and the well-established ReCAAP ISC’s network for information sharingand operational level coordination with the MMEA, ReCAAP Focal Points and relevant enforcement agencies.All had in one way or another, contributed towards the successful outcome of foiling the robbers’ plan.
To combat incidents reported at ports and anchorages, ship masters and crew are strongly encouraged to exercise vigilance and employ necessary security measures onboard their vessels while anchored, especially during hours of darkness, and the relevant authorities to increase presence and surveillance.
For more information please read ReCAAP ICS Report for August 2013
