In its weekly report for 8-14 January 2019, ReCAAP ISC said it has not received any incident of piracy or armed robbery against ships in Asia. However, the report includes an incident of armed robbery outside Asia, involving a tanker anchored in West African waters.
The incident involved the Singaporean-flagged tanker ‘FSL Singapore’, while anchored at Lagos Security Anchorage, Nigeria, West Africa, in the early morning hours of 4 January.
According to the report by ReCAAP Focal Point (Singapore), two perpetrators in a canoe approached and boarded the tanker.
The ship was conducting ship-to-ship (STS) operation with another tanker Kensington, at that time. The security patrol personnel at the forward part of the cargo deck sighted the perpetrators.
The 2nd officer on watch raised the general alarm and the perpetrators jumped into the sea. The crew was not injured. No items were stolen.
The crew reported the incident to the nearby patrol boat ‘NNS Bini’ and Lagos Security Anchorage Area (SAA) Tactical Operation Centre.
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.
