Maritime Incident Report: June 2020
Our monthly Maritime Incident Report: June 2020, covering maritime security and incidents throughout the Indian Ocean, West Africa, South East Asia and South America, for the period 01/06/20-29/06/20.
Indian Ocean Overview
In terms of Piracy, the Indian Ocean region has been inactive during this reporting period. 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.
No Incidents to report during this reporting period.
West Africa Overview
This reporting period has largely remained the same in terms of maritime crime and piracy compared to the previous month. There has been one report of the kidnapping of an entire crew, with another vessel boarded by armed assailants and the crew assaulted.
Vessels are advised to exercise extreme caution when transiting in and around West Africa.
1. BOARDED
Date: 10/06/2020
Location: 95nm SW of Bayelsa, Nigeria
Details: Five persons in a skiff, approached a container ship underway. The D/O raised the alarm, activated the fire pump, increased speed and commenced evasive manoeuvres. After several attempts to board the ship the skiff aborted and moved away. Ship and crew safe. Incident reported to the Authorities and Security Escort Company.
2. BOARDED
Date: 11/06/2020
Location: Conakry Anchorage, Guinea
Details: Around seven persons armed with guns and knives boarded an anchored tanker. They stole ship’s cash and crew personal belongings before escaping. It was reported that five crew members were assaulted during the incident.
3. BOARDED
Date: 26/06/2020
Location: 60nm South of Cotonou, Benin
Details: Six armed pirates attacked and boarded a fishing vessel underway, kidnapped six crew and escaped. The incident was reported to the Regional Authorities who coordinated a response and escorted the remaining crew to a safe port.
South East Asia Overview
This reporting period has largely remained the same as last month, with six incidents of maritime crime reported. These incidents generally use the same modus operandi whereby persons armed with knives or more rarely guns, 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: 01/06/2020
Location: Chattogram Port, Bangladesh
Details: Unnoticed, robbers boarded a berthed product tanker. Duty crew on routine rounds noticed the mooring rope on the winch was cut off. Alarm raised, crew mustered, and a search was carried out. Incident reported to PFSO.
2. BOARDED
Date: 02/06/2020
Location: Muara Berau Anchorage, Indonesia
Details: While at anchor two robbers from a small boat boarded a bulk carrier using hooks and ropes. They broke into the forecastle store and started lowering them in the water. Alert crew noticed the robbers and raised the alarm resulting in the robbers aborting and escaping without anything.
3. BOARDED
Date: 03/06/2020
Location: Muara Berau Anchorage, Indonesia
Details: Unnoticed, robbers boarded an anchored bulk carrier. Duty AB on routine rounds noticed the forecastle skylight opened and anchor pipe cover and padlock missing. He immediately informed the D/O who raised the alarm and crew mustered. A search was carried out. It was reported that ship’s stores were stolen. Incident reported to the Coast Guard who boarded the ship for investigation.
4. BOARDED
Date: 04/06/2020
Location: Singapore Straits
Details: Two robbers armed with knives boarded a bulk carrier underway. Duty crew spotted the robbers. Alarm raised and crew mustered. Seeing the crew alertness, the robbers escaped with ship’s engine spares. Incident reported to VTIS.
5. BOARDED
Date: 17/06/2020
Location: Kosichang Anchorage, Thailand
Details: Unnoticed robbers boarded an anchored bulk carrier during cargo operations, broke into the aft store, stole ship’s equipment and escaped. The break-in was noticed by the crew during routine operations. Incident reported to agent and PFSO.
6. BOARDED
Date: 17/06/2020
Location: Merak Anchorage, Indonesia
Details: Unnoticed, robbers boarded an anchored product tanker, stole ship’s spares and escaped. The robbery was discovered during routine rounds of the engine room.
South America Overview
This reporting period has seen three incident of robbery whilst at anchor in Peru, Brazil and Haiti.
1. BOARDED
Date: 05/06/2020
Location: Port Au Prince Anchorage, Haiti
Details: Five robbers armed with a machete and knives boarded an anchored tanker. Duty watchmen on routine rounds noticed the robbers and immediately informed the D/O who raised the alarm. Crew mustered on the bridge. Seeing the alerted crew, the robbers escaped with stolen mooring ropes and ship’s properties. The incident reported to the CSO and Port Control.
2. BOARDED
Date: 13/06/2020
Location: Macapa Anchorage, Brazil
Details: Duty crew onboard an anchored bulk carrier noticed two unauthorised persons on the aft deck. As he approached to investigate the two persons armed with a knife and pipe threatened the watchkeeper who retreated and reported the attack to the OOW. Alarm raised and crew mustered. Seeing the alerted crew, the robbers escaped with stolen ship’s properties. Incident reported to Port Authority and local agent.
3. ATTEMPTED BOARDING
Date: 27/06/2020
Location: Callao Anchorage, Peru
Details: Duty AB onboard an anchored bulk carrier noticed three persons attempting to board via the anchor chain. The AB immediately informed the D/O and started shouting at the robbers. Alarm raised and crew mustered. Seeing the alerted crew, the persons aborted the attempted boarding and escaped. Port Control and Coast Guard were notified who later arrived at the location and made a search.
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