- During the hours of darkness at the outer anchorage of Luanda, Angola, an intruder armed with a knife boarded a vessel at anchor.
- The crew member conducting a security patrol immediately alerted the bridge upon sighting the intruder, prompting the activation of the general alarm.
- The intruder fled by jumping overboard and escaping aboard a skiff after removing and throwing life buoys into the water.
- Despite communication and monitoring efforts, the skiff disappeared from radar tracking.
The crew member promptly reported the sighting to the bridge, enabling the activation of the alarm. The incident was swiftly reported to port control and the adjacent vessel, enhancing collective awareness and response capabilities. Security patrols were conducted in accordance with the Ship Security Plan, reflecting adherence to established protocols.
Areas for Improvement
- Vulnerabilities in vessel security, including accessible boarding points and recent security incidents in the area, contributed to the incident.
- Although security threats were discussed in preanchoring briefings, additional security measures were not implemented beforehand.
- The intruder likely exploited the vessel’s features, such as tyre fenders and the boat landing, to gain unauthorized access.
- Challenges in identifying security threats among numerous fishing vessels in the anchorage area were noted.
Lessons Learned
- Thorough security briefings and analyses before anchoring, coupled with proactive measures to mitigate threats, are essential.
- Coordination with port control and neighboring vessels enhances collective security and response capabilities during incidents.
- Continuous monitoring and vigilance, including radar surveillance and double watch duties, are crucial for early threat detection.
- Crew familiarity with security threats and adequate illumination of ship areas contribute to overall security readiness.
Recommendations
- Consider increasing the frequency of security patrols and monitoring CCTV cameras.
Maintain an allround lookout from elevated positions and enhance vigilance in exposed areas. - Implement better barriers to prevent illegal boarding, particularly at vulnerable points like the boat landing.
- Emphasize continuous radar monitoring and navigational warning awareness to enhance situational awareness.
References
- Previous theft incidents at anchor, such as the one in Callau, Peru in 2019, serve as valuable reference points.
- IMCA guidance documents, including HSSE 018 and HSSE 037, offer comprehensive insights into security threat risk assessment procedures and emergency response guidance.
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Source: IMCA
