Incident alert
ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre has issued Incident Alert regarding three recent incidents of armed robbery onboard ships. These incidents were reported in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore on March 6 &10, 2014.
Details as follows:
Sea Voyager
On 6 March, 2014, at about 0515 hrs, a Marshall Islands registered oil tanker was underway off Pulau Karimun Kecil when four robbers dressed in short pants and t-shorts approached the tanker at the stern area on thestarboard quarter side. Armed with knives, the robbers boarded the tanker from afishing boat. Upon noticing the robbers, the crew sounded the alarm and proceededto the protected area of the vessel. The robbers fled in their boat on hearing thealarm. Nothing was stolen from the tanker and the crew was not injured.
Orpheas
On 6 March 2014, on about 0540 hrsm a Liberia registered tanker was underway off Pulau Karimun Kecil when five robbers armed with knives boarded the tanker and stole some engine spares. The crew was not injued.
Cape Veni
On 10 March, 2014, on about 0150 hrs, a Cyprus- registered bulk carrier was underway south- west of Pulau Nipa in the TSS east bound when four robbers armed with knives boarded the bulk carrier from a small boat. On hearing the general alarm raised by the crew, the robbers fled without stealing anything. The crew was not injured.
Location of Incidents( Image Credit ReCAAP ISC Incident Alert 01/2014)
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The three incidents involved group of 4-5 men armed with knives and boarded thevessels while underway during hours of darkness. Without detailed reporting by themasters about the robbers’ boarding and modus operandi, it is assessed that the samegroup of robbers or robbers from some syndicate could be involved. Taking intoconsideration that the incidents occurred in close proximity to each other, particularly theincidents involving Sea Voyager and Orpheas which occurred within an interval of lessthan an hour on the same day. With no success in stealing anything from one vessel, it isassessed that the robbers could have had targeted another vessel that came along. The ReCAAP ISC notes that two out of the three incidents did not result in loss ofitems and this was attributed to the vigilance by the crew who sounded the alarm and thatcould had intimidated the robbers who fled without stealing any items. The ReCAAP ISC urges all vessels transiting the area to enhance vigilance andreport all incidents to the nearest coastal State immediately; and the relevant authorities tomaintain presence, ensure surveillance and issue navigational broadcasts to warnmariners in the region. |
