During the period of 23 to 29 January 2018, two incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships were reported to the ReCAAP ISC.
The first incident involves the petroleum product tanker ‘Ocean Mars’. While at anchor 22.8 nm North East of Pulau Berakit, Indonesia, on 4 January, the duty watch spotted five perpetrators boarding the ship from the stern. Upon sighting the perpetrators, the general alarm was raised and the crew proceeded to the citadel. A search was later conducted, and the perpetrators had escaped. No items were stolen.
The second incident concerns the tanker ‘Ocean 1’. While sailing off Alang, 11 nm off Gujarat, India, on 7 January, three perpetrators from a fishing boat boarded the tanker which was towed by tug ASL Scorpio. The crew immediately reported the boarding to the local authorities. The Indian Coast Guard Station Pipavav requested the Marine Police to investigate the incident. On 11 January, the Police reported that they had arrested the perpetrators and recovered the stolen items comprising stores and spares.
“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,” ReCAAP ISC recommended.
