In its weekly report for 21-27 January, ReCAAP ISC informed of three armed robberies against ships, comprising one CAT 3 incident and two CAT 4 incidents. The CAT 3 incident occurred to a tanker while anchored off Port Kabil, east of Pulau Batam, Indonesia, one CAT 4 occurred to a bulk carrier while underway in the Singapore Strait and another one to a container ship while anchored at South Quarantine Anchorage area, Manila, Philippines.
The first incident
The first incident involved the Panamanian-flagged bulk carrier ‘Papora Wisdom’, in the early morning hours of 28 January 2020.
While underway about 3.7 nm northwest of Nongsa Point, Pulau Batam, Indonesia, in the eastbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme in the Singapore Strait, two perpetrators were sighted in the engine room.
The ship’s alarm was raised and the perpetrators escaped in a small boat from the side of the ship. There was no confrontation between the perpetrators and the crew.
A search was conducted onboard the ship, and some engine spares were stolen.
The master reported the incident to Singapore Vessel Traffic Information System (VTIS) and a safety navigational broadcast was initiated.
The Republic of Singapore Navy, Singapore Police Coast Guard and the Indonesian authorities were notified.
The crew was safe and the ship resumed voyage to Hong Kong, China.
The second incident
The second incident involved the Portugal-flagged container ship ‘As Clarita’ in the early morning hours of 25 January.
While anchored at South Quarantine Anchorage area, Manila, Philippines, the duty watch sighted one perpetrator and alerted the other crew.
The perpetrator hurriedly jumped overboard and swam towards a motor banca which subsequently fled from the area.
The crew conducted an inspection and check of the ship’s inventory.
During the inspection, the crew found two broken padlock and a lighter with attached pin light (turned on) believed to belong to the perpetrator.
On checking of the ship’s inventory, the following items were found missing: one jet chisel machine, two cans of paint, one forward bell, three immersion suits, two breathing apparatus cylinders, one breathing apparatus and one chemical suit.
The crew reported the incident to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Command Centre.
A team of PCG personnel from Coast Guard Station Manila boarded the ship to conduct inquiry and validate the report.
The third incident
The third incident concerned the Indonesian-flagged tanker Horizon Maru, in the early morning hours of 21st January.
While at anchor off Port Kabil, east of Pulau Batam, Indonesia, four perpetrators armed with sharp weapons boarded the ship.
The crew confronted the perpetrators and managed to capture one of them.
The other three perpetrators escaped empty-handed. One of the crew suffered facial injury.
The master alerted ships in the vicinity and reported to Batam Police via VHF Ch 16. The Batam Police boarded the ship and took custody of the captured perpetrator.
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.
See also:
- Pirates provided medical assistance to ‘Duke’s’ kidnapped crew member
- Port of Cotonou takes measures to tackle piracy
