Maritime Incident Report: November 2020
Our monthly Maritime Incident Report: November 2020, covering maritime security and incidents throughout the Indian Ocean, West Africa, South East Asia and South America, for the period 01/11/20-30/11/20.
Indian Ocean Overview
In terms of Piracy, the Indian Ocean region has been inactive during this reporting period. One report of theft from ships stores has been reported. 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, there is cause for a reminder that the threat from piracy is only suppressed, not eliminated.
1. BOARDED
Date: 03/11/2020
Location: Nacala Anchorage, Mozambique
Details: Around four to five robbers armed with long knives in a wooden boat came alongside an anchored bulk carrier. They boarded the ship using hooks attached with ropes and broke into the paint locker. Duty crew on routine rounds noticed the robbers, alerted the Duty Officer and retreated into the accommodation. Alarm raised and crew mustered. The robbers stole ship’s stores and escaped. Local agents were informed.
West Africa Overview
This reporting period has seen another increase of maritime crime and piracy compared to the previous month with a marked increase in violent armed attacks against vessels over 50NM offshore with some attacks occurring over 160NM offshore. Attacks are also increasing further west from the usual hotspots around Nigerian waters.
Vessels are advised to exercise extreme caution when transiting in and around West Africa.
1. BOARDED
Date: 01/10/2020
Location: 120NM off Bonny, Nigeria
Details: An MT was boarded by seven armed attackers. The crew mustered in the citadel. The attackers damaged and stole bridge equipment before fleeing. The ship and crew were reported safe and proceeded to their next port of call, escorted by the Nigerian Navy and Cameroonian Navy.
2. BOARDED
Date: 07/11/2020
Location: 170NM off Cotonou, Benin
Details: An MT was boarded by an unknown number of armed attackers. The alarm was quickly raised by the bridge look-out and the crew mustered in the citadel. On the basis of information provided by MDAT-GOG, an Italian Navy Ship sailing in vicinity dispatched helicopters in order to assist and secure the area. The Italian warship reported that the MV and crew were safe. A Nigerian Navy ship was also dispatched in order to escort the MT.
3. ATTEMPTED BOARDING
Date: 07/11/2020
Location: 161NM off Bonny, Nigeria
Details: An MT was approached by a skiff with seven armed people on board. The crew mustered in the citadel, and the onboard security guards fired warning shots on the suspicious skiff, which resulted in the attackers to abort their pursuit. Crew and vessel were reported safe.
4. ATTEMPTED BOARDING
Date: 08/11/2020
Location: 160NM off Bonny, Nigeria
Details: A Research Vessel was approached by a skiff with 4 POB. The Nigerian Navy guard on the escort vessel fired warning shots resulting the suspicious skiff to withdraw. Ship and crew were reported safe.
5. ATTEMPTED BOARDING
Date: 09/11/2020
Location: 116NM off Cotonou, Benin
Details: An MV reported that a skiff with 7-8 armed persons onboard approached them to a CPA of 0.7NM. The crew mustered in the citadel and the Beninese navy guards onboard fired warning shots. After 20 minutes, the skiff left the vicinity.
6. ATTEMPTED BOARDING
Date: 09/11/2020
Location: 98NM off Cotonou, Benin
Details: An MT reported they were under attack by 1 skiff. The crew mustered in the citadel whilst the Master and bridge team carried out evasive manoeuvring. The skiffs aborted the attack. Vessel and crew were reported safe.
7. ATTEMPTED BOARDING
Date: 11/11/2020
Location: 70NM off Cotonou, Benin
Details: An MT reported that a skiff with approximately 8 armed persons on board, approached them to within 1NM. The persons fired gunshots at the vessel and attempted to board it but failed. After 1 hour and 35 minutes, the skiff aborted the attack and left the vicinity. Ship and crew reported safe.
8. BOARDED
Date: 13/11/2020
Location: 77NM off Sao Tome, STP
Details: An MV was boarded by an unknown number of attackers. During the attack, a crewmember was reported wounded by gunshots. The incident was immediately reported by MDAT-GOG to Sao Tome COAST GUARDS and all concerned authorities. One Portuguese (cease to Sao Tome), one Spanish and one Italian navy ship were dispatched in order to assist and secure the area. The Italian navy ship has proceeded with a medical evacuation of the wounded crew member. The ship was after escorted to Luba.
9. BOARDED
Date: 16/11/2020
Location: 45NM off Brass, Nigeria
Details: An MV was boarded by 7-8 armed attackers. The local authorities were informed.
10. BOARDED
Date: 16/11/2020
Location: 85NM off Tema, Ghana
Details: Hellenic coastguards reported the loss of communications with an MT. Two days after, both agencies have received the information that the attackers are still on board of the MT whilst adrift inside the Ghanaian EEZ. Local authorities have been informed about the situation. MDAT-GOG have received on the 23rd November that the attackers have left the MT. An Italian frigate provided assistance to relocate the MT and a Nigerian Navy ship was dispatched in order to secure and escort the MT to Lagos.
11. SUSPICIOUS APPROACH
Date: 17/11/2020
Location: 74NM off Tema, Ghana
Details: An MV was approached by one skiff at 0.5NM with an unknown number of people on board. The crew and ship were reported safe.
12. BOARDED
Date: 26/11/2020
Location: 53NM off Burutu, Nigeria
Details: An MV was boarded by 8 armed attackers. The local authorities have been informed.
13. BOARDED
Date: 16/11/2020
Location: 82NM off Tema, Ghana
Details: An MT was boarded by 6 armed attackers. The crew managed to inform MDAT at 0130UTC when the attackers left the MT. The Togolese navy has been informed about the incident.
14. ATTEMPTED BOARDING
Date: 30/11/2020
Location: 5nm off Cap Bimbia, Cameroon
Details: An FV was attacked by a speed boat with armed men on board. The armed security team onboard and the assailants have exchanged gunshots fires. Two casualties were reported on the security team and an unknown numbers of attackers were reported injured.
South-East Asia Overview
This reporting period has seen an increase compared to last month, with seven 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 and steal ship stores or engine spares before making their escape. If they are caught in the act they will generally attempt to escape or more rarely they will confront and subdue the crew before escaping.
1. BOARDED
Date: 08/11/2020
Location: Singapore Straits
Details: Three robbers armed with knives boarded a tanker underway. Duty engineer on routine rounds noticed the robbers and immediately informed the bridge. Alarm raised, crew mustered, and a search was carried out. Seeing the alerted crew, the robbers escaped with stolen ship’s properties. Incident reported to the Port Authority.
2. BOARDED
Date: 17/11/2020
Location: Singapore Straits
Details: A Bulk Carrier underway was contacted by VTIS indicating that the ship may have been boarded by robbers. Alarm raised, crew mustered, and ship lights switched on. Three robbers were seen on the poop deck. Seeing the alerted crew, the robbers escaped in a small boat without stealing anything. A search was carried out and VTIS notified.
3. BOARDED
Date: 18/11/2020
Location: Singapore Straits
Details: The second engineer onboard a tanker underway spotted two unauthorised persons armed with knives. Alarm raised, crew mustered, and a search was carried out. Hearing the alarm and seeing the crew alertness, the robbers escaped without stealing anything. Incident reported to Singapore VTIS.
4. BOARDED
Date: 19/11/2020
Location: Cam Pha Anchorage, Vietnam
Details: Unnoticed, robbers boarded an anchored bulk carrier, stole ship’s stores and escaped. Incident noticed during routine rounds and reported to the Port Authorities.
5. BOARDED
Date: 24/11/2020
Location: Dumai Anchorage, Indonesia
Details: Four robbers armed with knives boarded an anchored tanker. Duty oiler on routine rounds was threatened by the robbers before escaping with stolen engine spares. Incident reported to local authorities through local agent.
6. BOARDED
Date: 25/11/2020
Location: Pussur River, Mongla, Bangladesh
Details: Three robbers armed with a crowbar boarded an anchored tanker. Duty watchman noticed the robbers and informed the bridge. Alarm raised and crew mustered. Seeing the alerted crew, the robbers escaped without stealing anything. Incident reported to Port Control.
7. BOARDED
Date: 29/11/2020
Location: Singapore Straits
Details: Unnoticed, robbers boarded a bulk carrier underway, stole ship’s spares and escaped. Incident reported to VTIS.
South America Overview
This reporting period has seen just one incident of armed robbery and maritime crime.
1. BOARDED
Date: 04/11/2020
Location: Santana Port, Brazil
Details: Unnoticed, robbers boarded a berthed bulk carrier, broke into the forecastle store, stole ship’s stores and escaped. Incident noticed during routine rounds.
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