In its weekly report for 21-27 April, ReCAAP ISC informed of two armed robberies against ships in Asia. One was a CAT 3 incident onboard a bulk carrier while underway in the Singapore Strait. The other was a CAT 4 incident onboard a tanker while anchored at Vung Tau Anchorage, Vietnam.
The first incident involves the Panamanian-flagged bulk carrier ‘Horizon II’, in the night hours of 22 April, about 2.9 nm north of Pulau Nongsa, Indonesia, in the eastbound lane of the TSS in the Singapore Strait.
While the bulk carrier was en route from Singapore to Vietnam, the crew saw two perpetrators at the stern deck. One of the perpetrators was carrying a knife.
The crew mustered at the bridge and raised the general alarm.
Later, the master reported the incident to Singapore Vessel Traffic Information System (VTIS). Authorities initiated a safety navigational broadcast.
The Republic of Singapore Navy’s (RSN) Maritime Security Task Force (MSTF), Singapore Police Coast Guard (PCG) and the Indonesian authorities were notified.
The master deviated the ship back to the port of Singapore and requested assistance from the authorities to conduct search onboard for the perpetrators.
MSTF’s RSS Justice escorted the bulk carrier back to the port of Singapore. Upon arrival, the Singapore PCG officers boarded the ship and conducted a search. There was no sighting of the perpetrators onboard. There were no injuries or stealing.
The second incident involves the Bermuda-flagged tanker ‘MT Masagana’, while at Vung Tau Anchorage, Vietnam, in the early morning hours of 20 April.
While at anchor, four perpetrators boarded the tanker via the forecastle from a wooden boat.
The watchman noticed the perpetrators, reported to the duty officer and raised the general alarm.
Then, the perpetrators jumped overboard and escaped in the wooden boat.
The crew conducted a search onboard the ship and discovered that the forward store was opened with either a hammer or bolt cutter.
The perpetrators stole 80 litres of deck red paint from the forward store.
There were no injuries. The incident was reported to Vung Tau Port Control.
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.
