A recent news article published in the ReCAAP details about Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia.
Overview
Two incidents (comprising one CAT 41 incident and one attempted2 incident) of armed robbery against ships in Asia were reported to the ReCAAP ISC. The CAT 4 incident occurred on board a chemical tanker while anchored at Sandakan Anchorage, Sabah, East Malaysia; and the attempted incident occurred to a heavy transport vessel while underway at Akram Point, Hiron Point Pilot/Port Control Station, Bangladesh. The crew members were safe in both incidents.
The locations of the two incidents are shown in map below, and detailed description of the incidents tabulated in the attachment.
Situation of abduction of crew in the Sulu-celebes seas and waters off eastern sabah
There is no incident of abduction of crew reported since January 2020 up to today, and no crew is currently being held in captivity by the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).
However, as the ASG Commanders responsible for the abduction of crew in the Sulu area are still at large and with the persisting presence of remnants of the group, the threat of abduction of crew from ships remains potentially high, particularly in the areas of Sulu and nearby waters off Tawi-Tawi.
The ReCAAP ISC reiterates its advisory issued via ReCAAP ISC Incident Alert dated 21 Nov 16 to all ships to reroute from the area, where possible. Otherwise, ship masters and crew are strongly urged to exercise extra vigilance while transiting the area, and report all incidents immediately to the Operation Centres of the Philippines and Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) of Malaysia. The contact details of the Operation Centres of the Philippines and ESSCOM of Malaysia are as shown below.
In the event, the ship master or crew is unable to establish contact with the Operation Centres of the Philippines as listed in the ReCAAP ISC Advisory, they can contact the Philippine Coast Guard Command Centre at the following contact details:
Tel: +632-8-527-8481 (ext: 6136/37)
+632-998-585-5327 (mobile)
+632-917-842-8249 (mobile)
+632-8-527-3877 (fax)
Email: pcgcomcen@coastguard.gov.ph
The ReCAAP ISC advises the shipping industry and ships to enhance their situation awareness by referring to the Guidance on Abduction of Crew in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and Waters off Eastern Sabah produced by ReCAAP ISC in July 2019. The Guidance is available at www.recaap.org.
Recommendation
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 2 to Counter Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia.
Description of Incidents of Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships 16-22 Aug 2022
| Ship Name Type of Ship Flag Gross Tonnage IMO Number | Date Local Time of Incident (LT) | Position of the Incident | Details of the Incident | Consequences for crew, ship, cargo | Action taken by the master and crew | Was the incident reported to coastal authority? Which one? | Reporting State or International Organization | Coastal State Action Taken | |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | |
| INCIDENTS IN ASIA | |||||||||
| ACTUAL INCIDENT | |||||||||
| 1. | Southern Hawk Chemical tanker Panama 8295 9534901 | 11/8/22 1815 hrs | 5° 49.38′ N 118° 8.22′ E
Sandakan Anchorage, Sabah, East Malaysia. | While at anchor, the crew on duty at the bridge sighted three unarmed suspicious persons on deck, sounded the alarm immediately and alerted surrounding ships. The three persons jumped into the sea and escaped in a small boat.
The crew conducted a search on board, including the living quarters and engine room. They confirmed that there were no suspicious persons on board and that ropes on deck had been stolen. | All crew members were safe.
Ropes on deck were reported stolen. | The duty crew sounded the ship’s alarm and alerted surrounding ships.
The crew conducted a search onboard, including the living quarters and engine room. | No information available | ReCAAP ISC via ReCAAP Focal Point (Japan) | No information available |
| There was no reported damage to the ship and the crew was not injured. | |||||||||
| [Category 4] | |||||||||
| Ship Name Type of Ship Flag Gross Tonnage IMO Number | Date Local Time of Incident (LT) | Position of the Incident | Details of the Incident | Consequences for crew, ship, cargo | Action taken by the master and crew | Was the incident reported to coastal authority? Which one? | Reporting State or International Organization | Coastal State Action Taken | |
| ATTEMPTED INCIDENT | |||||||||
| 2. | MV Blue Marlin Heavy transport vessel Malta 51821 9186338 | 11/7/22 0021 hrs | 21° 56′ N 89° 31′ E
Akram Point Area, Hiron Point Control Room, Bangladesh | While underway, six unauthorised personnel on board a mechanized boat attempted to board the ship.
The master reported the approach of the boat to Hiron Point Pilot/Port Control Station, and sounded the alarm. The perpetrators failed to board the ship. All crew members were safe, and no items were reported stolen. | Boarding of the perpetrators did not occur. All crew members were safe. | The master reported the incident to Hiron Point, Pilot/Port Control Station.
The ship alarm was sounded. | Yes.
The master reported the incident to Hiron Point, Pilot/Port Control Station. | ReCAAP ISC via ReCAAP Focal Point (Bangladesh) | Bangladesh Coast Guard Patrol boat apprehended the perpetrators, and handed them over to the local police authorities . |
| The Bangladesh Coast Guard Patrol boat apprehended the perpetrators, and handed them over to the local police authorities. | |||||||||
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Source: ReCAAP
