In its weekly report for 8-14 September, ReCAAP ISC informed of two incidents of armed robbery against ships in Asia. Of the two incidents, one was a CAT 3 incident onboard a chemical tanker while anchored at Dumai Anchorage, Indonesia. The other was a CAT 4 incident onboard a bulk carrier anchored at Taboneo Anchorage, Indonesia.
The first incident involves the Cayman Islands-flagged chemical tanker ‘Stolt Perseverance’, on 28 August.
While anchored at Dumai Anchorage, Indonesia, the duty watchman on routine rounds noticed four perpetrators armed with knives on poop deck. They were trying to open the hatch for emergency towing arrangements.
The duty watchman informed the bridge and the alarm was raised. All non-essential crew were mustered in the citadel. The perpetrators escaped upon hearing the alarm. The crew was not injured and nothing was stolen. The Coast Guard boarded the ship for investigation thereafter.
The second incident involves the Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier ‘Bumblebee’, on 4 April.
While anchored at Taboneo Anchorage, South Kalimantan, Indonesia, the AB reported to the master that the bosun store door was tampered with and the padlock was broken. A search team was sent to the bosun store to conduct a search. Meanwhile, the incident was reported to the port control.
Initial checks by the crew revealed that the perpetrators had boarded the bulk carrier through the anchor chain and had tampered with the hawse pipe grille in order to board the ship.
Ship stores including mooring rope, welding cable, fire hose nozzle and brass fire hydrant caps were stolen.
At about 2300 hrs, the port security officials boarded the ship for investigation. The crew was not injured.
The ReCAAP ISC urges ship master and crew to report all incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships to the nearest coastal State and flag State, exercise vigilance and adopt relevant preventive measures taking reference from the Regional Guide to Counter Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia.
