The West P&I Club informed of a recent increase in security-related incidents for vessels visiting Jose Terminal, and anchoring to the North and North East of the Terminal during 2018.
The first case is about a bulk carrier at anchor that was waiting to load petcoke and was boarded by four personnel who appeared to be wearing “National Guard” uniforms, carrying handguns. All of the crew were ordered to assemble in the messroom with their money and valuables, which were subsequently taken from the vessel by the armed personnel. The value of the money, mobile phones and laptop computers taken amounted to tens of thousands of dollars.
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Secondly, a vessel visiting the Jose Terminal was under inspection, resulting the inspectors to ‘find’ a small plastic bag containing white powder during an inspection. The powder was tested in front of the Master and the colour change evident in the chemical test solution revealed the powder to be cocaine. The inspectors then tried to reach a cash settlement with the Master to make the problem go away. This was resisted, and the inspectors eventually left the vessel with only their plastic bag allegedly containing drugs.
Moreover, the International Maritime Bureau Piracy & Armed Robbery Map for 2018 until today, published three tries concerning vessel boardings of bulk carriers and product tankers anchored in the vicinity of the terminal. Majorly, the robbers were armed with knives, even though in an incident it was reported that guns were sighted.
Some of the boardings were unsuccessful because many times the crew were aware of their presence. Yet, in one case, an Able Seaman was threatened with a knife and tied to a railing on the forecastle before his shipmates were able to free him.
According to P&I Club, vessels that visit Jose Terminal should be alert on the possibility of improper conduct on the part of alleged government officials. Always, where uniformed or other official personnel board a vessel, their identification documents should be thoroughly checked, and their details carefully recorded. In the possibility they’re unwilling, they’re intentions onboard are to be questioned.
When any inspections are undertaken by government personnel, each inspector should be accompanied by an officer so that their actions whilst onboard can be closely followed.
Because of robbery risk at the anchorages, crew members should always remain vigilant. Reports point out that the anchor chain and the poop deck are favoured means of boarding for robbers in this area.
Finally, West P&I Club 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 such 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.