In its weekly report for 18-24 February, ReCAAP ISC informed of two incidents of armed robbery against ships in Asia, both of which were CAT 4 (least significant) incidents. One occurred to a tanker while underway off Gujarat, India; and another incident occurred to another tanker anchored at Kakinada anchorage, India.
The first incident involved the Comoros-flagged tanker Morbius while underway off Gujarat, India, on 19 February.
While Morbius was underway and towed by tug boat, Allianz Titanium, nine perpetrators in a fishing boat approached the ship.
Two of the perpetrators boarded Morbius while the remaining seven perpetrators waited in the fishing boat.
The master reported the incident to India Coast Guard (ICG) on VHF Ch-16 and the local marine police.
An ICG ship immediately rushed to the location of the incident and apprehended the seven perpetrators in the fishing boat.
Thereafter, the ICG boarded Morbius and apprehended the remaining two perpetrators hiding in the ship. The ICG handed the nine perpetrators to Marine Police Station Pipavav.
The second incident involved the Saudi Arabian-flagged tanker ‘Al Barrah’ while at Kakinada Anchorage, India, on 20 February.
While at anchor, an unknown number of perpetrators boarded the tanker, stole two mooring ropes and eight paint drums, and escaped.
The master reported the incident to pilot station Kakinada. The incident was also informed to the local agent, local police, India Coast Guard (ICG), Kakinada Port Control and other authorities.
The ICG reported the incident to the coastal security police for investigation.
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.
