Maritime Incident Report: December 2019
Our monthly Maritime Incident Report: December 2019, covering maritime security and incidents throughout the Indian Ocean, West Africa, South East Asia and South America, for the period 01/12/19-31/12/19.
Indian Ocean Overview
The ongoing hostilities between Iran and Saudi Arabia and their allies has not manifested in any shipping related incidents this month with nothing to report.
In terms of Piracy, the Indian Ocean region has been inactive during this reporting period with one reported incident. It is highly likely that piracy activity will continue to be sporadic and infrequent. It remains the case that lower risk opportunities in other criminal enterprises such as the smuggling of people, narcotics, weapons and charcoal have likely reduced the appetite and desire for local actors to conduct piracy. However, the piracy attack of 21st April 2019, coupled with a suspicious event on 3rd September, is a stark reminder that the threat from piracy is only suppressed, not eliminated.
Date & Time: 01/12/2019 00:35 UTC Location: Visakhapatnam Anchorage, India
Details: Around 15 to 18 persons in three skiffs approached an anchored bulk carrier. They attempted to board the ship using a rope attached to a hook. Alert crew noticed the attempted boarding and notified the port control and Coast Guard. A patrol vessel was dispatched resulting in the robbers aborting the attempted boarding and escaped. After chasing the boats for a while, the patrol boat managed to stop one skiff and arrested the persons onboard.
West Africa Overview
This reporting period has seen a marked increase in maritime crime and piracy compared to the previous month with a noticeable increase in violence against and the kidnapping of ships crew. Vessels are advised to exercise extreme caution when transiting in and around West Africa.
1. BOARDED
Date & Time: 03/12/2019 18:10 UTC Location: 76nm South of Bonny, Nigeria
Details: Armed pirates attack and boarded an oil tanker underway. Nineteen crew were identified as missing. The vessel Owners notified the Nigerian Navy and MRCC for assistance. Remaining crew sailed the tanker to a safe area.
2. BOARDED
Date & Time: 15/12/2019 08:00 UTC Location: 118nm SSW of Cotonou, Benin
Details: Around six heavily armed pirates boarded a product tanker underway. They took hostage all crew members and destroyed some equipment resulting in the tanker going into a blackout condition. The remaining crew sent a distress and requested to be towed to a safe area. Upon receiving the information, the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre immediately notified and liaised with the Regional Authorities to provide assistance to the tanker. A Togo Navy ship was dispatched to the location of the tanker and made arrangements to tow the tanker. Twenty crew were reported missing.
3. BOARDED
Date & Time: 17/12/2019 02:30 UTC Location: Pointe Noire Anchorage, Congo
Details: Two robbers in a canoe came alongside an anchored offshore tug. They boarded the vessel, stole ship’s properties and escaped. Incident reported to Port Control.
4. BOARDED
Date & Time: 21/12/2019 00:25 UTC Location: Lagos Anchorage Area, Nigeria
Details: Duty crew on board an anchored product tanker noticed two unauthorized persons onboard and raised the alarm. Crew mustered. Naval patrol boat notified via VHF, which responded and searched the waters around the tanker. A search was carried out. Nothing reported stolen.
5. BOARDED
Date & Time: 22/12/2019 22:30 UTC Location: Owendo Anchorage, Gabon
Details: Around six armed persons in a skiff came alongside an anchored bulk carrier and attempted to hook on a ladder to board the vessel. The persons threatened the crew with their weapons. Alarm raised and port authorities notified. Seeing the alerted crew, the armed persons aborted the attempted boarding. Vessel and crew are safe.
6. BOARDED
Date & Time: 24/12/2019 06:55 UTC Location: Gulf of Guinea
Details: On the 24th December 2019 at 0655UTC, an M.V was attacked by a skiff with 9 armed pirates in position 01°47N – 004°28E. Vessels are advised to exercise extreme caution in this area.
7. BOARDED
Date & Time: 28/12/2019 09:05 UTC Location: 195NM WNW of Libreville
Details: On 28th DEC 2019 at 0905 UTC, in position 0119N 00602E (approximately 195NM WNW of Libreville, Gabon) a vessel was attacked. Vessel performed evasive manoeuvres and the both vessel and crew are now safe. Vessels are advised to exercise extreme caution in this area.
8. BOARDED
Date & Time: 30/12/2019 00:50 UTC Location: 143nm NW from Sao Tome
Details: Reporting indicates that the bulk carrier VINALINES MIGHTY, was attacked when transiting between Douala and Greenville Liberia. It is believed that the vessel has been boarded by three pirates. It is understood that crew are safe.
9. BOARDED
Date & Time: 30/12/2019 01:14 UTC Location: 45nm SW of Bonny Island
Details: Reporting indicates that when transiting between Lagos and Port Harcourt located at about 45nm SSW Bonny Island, the cargo vessel DROGBA has been attacked. It is understood that the alarm was raised and crew members mustered within citadel with the exception of the captain who remained in charge of the vessel. The pirates are understood to have engaged in a brief firefight with the Nigerian navy personnel on-board and the pirates withdrew.
South East Asia Overview
This reporting period has largely remained the same as last month, with four incidents of maritime crime reported. These incidents generally use the same modus operandi whereby persons armed with knives board a vessel, either underway or at anchor, confront and subdue the crew and then steal ship stores or engine spares before making their escape.
1. BOARDED
Date & Time: 10/12/2019 20:25 UTC Location: Panjang Anchorage, Indonesia
Details: Three robbers armed with long knives boarded an anchored bulk carrier. They broke into the engine room workshop, stole auxiliary engine spares and escaped. Authorities notified.
2. BOARDED
Date & Time: 20/12/2019 15:30 UTC Location: Singapore Straits
Details: Five robbers armed with long knives boarded a bulk carrier underway. They entered into the engine room, took hostage two duty crew and threatened them with knives. The robbers stole engine spares and escaped. Alarm raised, crew mustered, and incident reported to Singapore VTIS. A coast guard boat responded and escorted the ship to an anchorage, where they boarded the ship for inspection. All crew safe.
3. BOARDED
Date & Time: 22/12/2019 15:30 UTC Location: Singapore Straits
Details: Five persons armed with knives and guns boarded a bulk carrier underway. They entered into the engine room, took hostage two duty crew, threatened them and tied them up. The robbers stole engine spares and escaped. Incident reported to Singapore VTIS. A coast guard boat responded and escorted the vessel.
4. BOARDED
Date & Time: 22/12/2019 16:00 UTC Location: Singapore Straits
Details: While underway, a tanker was boarded by five robbers armed with knives. Two duty crew on routine rounds were confronted by the robbers, who threatened them and tied them up. Alarm raised and crew mustered. Hearing the alarm, the robbers escaped without stealing anything. Incident reported to Singapore VTIS.
South America Overview
This reporting period has seen one incident of robbery whilst at anchor.
1. BOARDED
Date & Time: 07/12/2019 06:10 UTC Location: Callao Anchorage, Peru
Details: Three robbers boarded an anchored bulk carrier via the anchor chain and hawse pipe. They tied up the duty OS, took his radio, watch and flashlight and entered the forecastle store. The duty OS managed to escape and raised the alarm resulting in the crew mustering. Hearing the alarm, the robbers escaped in a waiting motorboat. Upon investigation, ship’s properties were reported stolen. Incident reported to TRAMAR Port Control.
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