Three robbers armed with knives boarded a crude oil tanker which was anchored at Jose Terminal Anchorage, Venezuela, in the early morning hours of Thursday, 21st March, according to data provided by the IMB Piracy reporting centre.
Deck watch on routine rounds spotted the robbers and notified the OOW just before the robbers threatened him with a knife and stole his radio.
The alarm was raised and the crew mustered, resulting in the robbers escaping with their accomplices in a waiting boat.
The incident was reported to port authorities, IMB said.
Jose Terminal Anchorage in Venezuela has seen a surge in security-related incidents over the last months. In this regard, the West P&I Club has earlier advised that the following should be considered and implemented to enable early detection of those who may wish to try and come onboard, and to try and prevent any boarding attempts:
- Maintain a good visual and radar watch for approaching small craft;
- Think on supplying the vessel with a pair of night vision binoculars;
- Illuminate areas over the side;
- If fitted, use searchlights to illuminate suspect craft, if not fitted, consider using the Aldis Lamp for this purpose;
- Illuminate the main deck and all other possible points of access when at anchor, and so far as is safe and practicable when navigating in the area;
- Keep pilot ladders and accommodation ladders stowed and secured at deck level when not in use;
- Fit substantial hawse pipe covers when at anchor and consider continuously running the anchor wash;
- So far as manning levels and compliance with STCW hours of rest regulations allow; have roving personnel on deck in contact with the bridge;
- Securely lock all stores and accesses, while always allowing easy escape for personnel from inside working and living spaces.
