In its weekly report for 4-10 December, ReCAAP ISC informed of one incident of abduction of crew and one incident of robbery against a ship in Asia.
The first incident was reported in Celebes Sea, at vicinity waters of Tambisan, Lahad Datu, Sabah. As previously reported, on 5 December, around 20 men, who are believed to be from the Sulu-based Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), armed with firearms, boarded an unidentified boat from speed boats painted green with grey, and powered with double engine. The group abducted three crew (one Malaysian and two Indonesians) and arrived at Laminusa Island, Siasi Municipality, Sulu Province on 6 Dec 18, before proceeding to So Dumlog, Brgy Likud, Pata, Sulu Province on 7 December.
In this regard, ReCAAP ISC noted that a total of two actual incidents of abduction of crew from vessels in Asia were reported in 2018. The first incident occurred on board fishing trawler, Sri Dewi 1 on 11 September in Semporna waters, off Sabah where two crew were abducted; and the second incident occurred in the vicinity of Tambisan, Lahad Datu, Sabah on 5 December, where three crew were abducted.
The ReCAAP Focal Point (Philippines Coast Guard) reported to the ReCAAP ISC that one of the abducted fishermen of fishing trawler, Sri Dewi 1 was rescued by the Philippine authorities on 5 December.
The second incident involved the Bahamas-flagged bulk carrier ‘Glovis Maple’. While at anchor at Cam Pha Anchorage, Vietnam, on 9 December, an unknown number of perpetrators armed with knives boarded the ship from a wooden boat through the anchor chain hawse pipe by removing the cover. They broke the forecastle entrance padlock including the Niger lock and remove the additional securing lashing. They stole ship’s property and escaped. The forecastle entrance padlock including the Niger lock were broken. The crew was not injured.
In its previous weekly report, ReCAAP ISC informed of another armed robbery in Cam Pha loading anchorage, Vietnam, involving the Panamanian-flagged bulk carrier ‘Alpha Bulker’. While at anchor, about seven perpetrators (not armed) pretended to be stevedores and boarded the bulk carrier. They damaged the midship locker, stole ship’s stores and escaped. The crew was not injured.
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.
