The waters around Callao, Peru, are experiencing an alarming increase in piracy incidents, with a recent daring attack highlighting the escalating risks faced by vessels and their crews in this region.The concerning trend of piracy in Callao, examine the threats posed to crew safety, and explore essential preventive measures to safeguard ships in these challenging waters. The gard source.
- Piracy incidents in Callao, Peru, have surged in 2023, with the latest incident being the thirteenth this year, highlighting growing risks to crew safety.
- Maritime security measures, such as physically blocking access points and increasing night watch, are crucial to mitigate piracy threats in ports like Callao.
- Mariners can access valuable guidance and best practices for piracy prevention through resources like the Maritime Global Security website.
Heightened Piracy Threat in Callao
In a concerning turn of events, on September 29, 2023, a vessel anchored in Callao, Peru, fell victim to a daring act of piracy. This incident marked the thirteenth piracy and armed robbery report received from the Callao Anchorage this year alone, with three of them occurring in September, as reported by the International Maritime Bureau Piracy Reporting Center (IMB PRC). This alarming spike in piracy incidents is in stark contrast to the previous year when only twelve incidents were reported from Callao throughout 2022.
Crew Safety at Risk
Reports from the recent incidents in Callao indicate that crew members are frequently subjected to hostage situations, assaults, and threats, painting a grim picture of the security situation in this port. The rising risks in Callao serve as a stark reminder for ship’s crews to remain vigilant and maintain robust anti-piracy measures while in the area.
Preventive Measures
To mitigate the piracy threat while alongside at port or anchorage, or during ship-to-ship (STS) or bunkering operations, it is crucial to implement preventive measures. Equipment such as fenders, anchor chains, and hawse pipes should be physically blocked to prevent them from becoming points of access for potential perpetrators. Regular security rounds must be conducted, with a keen focus on monitoring suspicious small boats that may be in close proximity to the vessel or lingering nearby. Given that pirates often strike during the cover of darkness, increasing the deck watch at night and keeping the ship well-lit can deter potential attacks.
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