Maritime Incident Report: January 2020
Our monthly Maritime Incident Report: January 2020, covering maritime security and incidents throughout the Indian Ocean, West Africa, South East Asia and South America, for the period 01/01/20-31/01/20.
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 two reported incidents of robbery at anchor. 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.
1. BOARDED
Date & Time: 07/01/2020 01:30 UTC
Location: Alang Anchorage, India
Details: While anchored, persons in a small boat approached and boarded a barge, stole some scrap metal and escaped. Master noticed the persons and reported the incident to the Authorities who managed to apprehend the thieves.
2. BOARDED
Date & Time: 13/01/2020 00:04 UTC
Location: Nacala Anchorage, Mozambique
Details: Duty watchman during rounds on deck noticed two robbers armed with long knives approaching him. He immediately informed the duty officer who raised the alarm and alerted other crew. Upon inspection it was discovered that a mooring rope was missing from the forward store.
West Africa Overview
This reporting period has seen a slight decrease in maritime crime and piracy compared to the previous month. There have been no reports of kidnapping however two vessels were fired upon by pirates armed with automatic weapons. Vessels are advised to exercise extreme caution when transiting in and around West Africa.
1. FIRED UPON
Date & Time: 16/01/2020 20:57 UTC
Location: Around 52nm SW of Bonny, Nigeria
Details: Five armed pirates in a small craft approached a tanker underway. Alarm raised and evasive manoeuvres commenced. Armed security team onboard the tanker fired warning shots resulting in the pirates returning fire and then aborting the approach and moving away.
2. ATTEMPTED BOARDING
Date & Time: 17/01/2020 06:00 UTC
Location: Lagos Anchorage, Nigeria
Details: Robbers in a small boat approached an anchored tanker during STS cargo operations. Two of the robbers attempted to board the tanker via the anchor chain. Duty crew on routine rounds noticed the robbers and raised the alarm. Crew mustered and patrol boat informed. Seeing the alerted crew, the robbers aborted the attempted boarding and escaped in their boat. Authorities notified.
3. BOARDED
Date & Time: 19/01/2020 20:10 UTC
Location: Around 73nm South of Cotonou
Details: Two pirates armed with AK47 rifles in a boat approached and boarded a drifting container ship. Alarm raised, deck lights switched off, accommodation locked down and engines started and headed towards Tema. Ghana navy notified and requested to board and search vessel on arrival. All crew safe. Nothing reported stolen.
4. FIRED UPON
Date & Time: 21/01/2020 08:35 UTC
Location: Around 19nm SW of Bayelsa
Details: Around 15 armed persons in a speed boat chased and fired upon a container vessel underway. Alarm raised and the non-essential crew took shelter in the citadel. The vessel increased speed and the armed naval guard onboard returned fire, resulting in the skiff aborting the attack and moving away. Vessel and crew safe.
5. BOARDED
Date & Time: 25/01/2020 00:50 UTC
Location: Lagos Anchorage, Nigeria
Details: Duty crew onboard an anchored tanker carrying out STS operations noticed an unauthorised person near the forecastle. Alarm sounded. Seeing the alerted crew the person jumped overboard and escaped with his accomplices in a wooden boat. A naval patrol boat arrived at the location, searched the waters around the tanker and remained close to the tanker until daybreak. Nothing reported stolen. Crew and vessel safe.
6. BOARDED
Date & Time: 29/01/2020 03:00 UTC
Location: Onne Port, Nigeria
Details: Duty AB onboard a berthed offshore supply vessel noticed an unauthorised person on deck. Alarm raised and hearing the alerted crew, the person escaped with stolen ship’s properties. Incident reported to Port Authority and a search was carried out.
South East Asia Overview
This reporting period has largely remained the same as last month, with four incidents of maritime crime reported including one incident of kidnapping. 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: 16/01/2020 12:00 UTC
Location: 4nm NW of Tambisan, Lahad Datu
Details: A fishing vessel was attacked by six armed persons in a grey coloured speed boat. Malaysian Authorities managed to locate and intercept the fishing vessel. Three crews were found safe on the vessel. The remaining five crews were reported kidnapped.
2. BOARDED
Date & Time: 20/01/2020 21:45 UTC
Location: Kabil Anchorage, Pulau Batam
Details: While anchored, a product tanker was boarded by two robbers. While they were stealing ship’s properties the crew noticed the robbers and managed to apprehend one of the robbers. The other escaped in a waiting boat along with two other accomplices. The crew handed over the robber to the Indonesian Marine Police who boarded the vessel for investigations.
3. BOARDED
Date & Time: 22/01/2020 00:01 UTC
Location: Taboneo Anchorage, Indonesia
Details: Duty crew onboard an anchored bulk carrier noticed the lock at the bosun store broken and ship’s properties stolen. The incident was reported to Port Control and local agent.
4. BOARDED
Date & Time: 26/01/2020 03:24 UTC
Location: Belawan Anchorage, Indonesia
Details: Deck watchmen on routine rounds onboard an anchored tanker noticed the forward storeroom broken into and ships properties missing. On searching the area, footsteps were noticed on the forecastle and it was assumed that the thieves gained access via the anchor chain.
South America Overview
This reporting period has seen two incidents of robbery whilst at anchor.
1. BOARDED
Date & Time: 19/01/2020 05:00 UTC
Location: Cartagena Anchorage, Colombia
Details: Two robbers armed with a machete were seen on the forecastle of an anchored tanker. Alarm raised and crew mustered. Seeing the alerted crew the robbers escaped. Incident reported to the Coast Guard who board the vessel. Nothing was reported stolen.
2. BOARDED
Date & Time: 28/01/2020 08:18 UTC
Location: Callao Anchorage, Peru
Details: Two unauthorised persons from two skiffs came alongside and boarded an anchored tanker. Duty watchman on security rounds noticed the persons on the forecastle deck. Alarm raised and crew mustered. Seeing the alerted crew, the persons jumped overboard and escaped. Port Authorities notified. Nothing reported stolen.
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