From 30 January to 5 February 2018, two incidents of armed robbery against ships, comprising of one actual and one attempted, were reported to the ReCAAP ISC.
The first incident involves the bulk carrier ‘Athos’, at Muara Berau Anchorage, East Kalimantan, Indonesia, on 21 January. While at anchor, two perpetrators boarded the ship. From the CCTV, the perpetrators were sighted on the main deck on the right side of the hull and then towards the left hull of the warehouse. They stolen two mooring ropes from the warehouse in the bow of the ship and escaped.
The second incident involved the bulk carrier ‘Asali’, in the same anchorage region, on 6 January. While at anchor, five perpetrators on board a small boat approached the bulk carrier and attempted to board via the anchor chain. The duty crew noticed the perpetrators and raised the alarm. The perpetrators aborted the attempt and moved away.
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. It also urges ship masters and crew to exercise extra vigilance while transiting the Sulu-Celebes Sea and eastern Sabah region.
