Maritime Incident Report: October 2020
Our monthly Maritime Incident Report: October 2020, covering maritime security and incidents throughout the Indian Ocean, West Africa, South East Asia and South America, for the period 01/10/20-31/10/20.
Indian Ocean Overview
In terms of Piracy, the Indian Ocean region has been fairly inactive during this reporting period, with one confirmed incident. 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. SUSPICIOUS APPROACH
Date: 29/10/2020
Location: Gulf of Aden
Details: A merchant’s vessel has reported being approached by a skiff at 8 cables. After Armed Security Team showed weapons the skiff initially changed course but then resuming a parallel route following the Merchant Vessel at 1NM. After 50 minutes the skiff gave up the approach heading south toward the Somali coast. Vessel and crew are safe.
West Africa Overview
This reporting period has seen a marked increase in maritime crime and piracy compared to the previous month, with a total of 10 incidents. However, there are no incidents of kidnapping reported with most incidents being theft of crew belongings and ship stores.
Vessels are advised to exercise extreme caution when transiting in and around West Africa.
1. SUSPICIOUS APPROACH
Date: 01/10/2020
Location: 172nm south of Abidjan
Details: An FV was suspiciously approached by a blue skiff with 3 people onboard at approximately 3NM. The crew raised the alarm and executed evasive manoeuvers. The vessel and crew were reported safe as the speedboat aborted its pursuit.
2. BOARDED
Date: 06/10/2020
Location: Noire Anchorage, Congo
Details: An MV has reported a theft onboard whilst at Pointe Noire Anchorage. Vessel and crew were reported safe.
3. BOARDED
Date: 09/10/2020
Location: Lagos Port, Nigeria
Details: Two armed intruders boarded an MV whilst at Lagos Port. The duty watchmen raised quickly the alarm causing the intruders to flee the vessel. Vessel and crew were reported safe.
4. SUSPICIOUS APPROACH
Date: 15/10/2020
Location: Conakry Anchorage, Guinea
Details: An MV spotted an unlighted small boat heading to its position at 2NM. The small boat continued its approach to 1NM. The embarked Guinean security guards fired three warning shots, and the small boat left the scene. Vessel and crew are reported safe.
5. BOARDED
Date: 15/10/2020
Location: Conakry Anchorage, Guinea
Details: A small boat approached an MV and was boarded by unknown personnel, who were armed with knives and weapons. Items were reported as stolen from the vessel. The crew are reported to be safe.
6. BOARDED
Date: 17/10/2020
Location: Malabo, Cameroon
Details: A merchant vessel berthed has been boarded by unknown persons. Local authorities have deployed a security team in order to secure and investigate the M/V.
7. BOARDED
Date: 17/10/2020
Location: 116NM S of Lome
Details: An M/V was boarded. A Togolese patrol boat was dispatched in order to secure and then escort the MV to Lome. Ship and crew were reported safe.
8. BOARDED
Date: 19/10/2020
Location: Noire Anchorage, Congo
Details: An M/V was boarded. Three or four perpetrators were seen on the forecastle of the vessel. One of them pointed at the crew with an object shaped like a weapon. A patrol vessel was dispatched to the scene and an inspection allowed to confirm two mooring ropes had been stolen. It seems that the perpetrators gained access via the anchor chain.
9. BOARDED
Date: 22/10/2020
Location: Conakry Anchorage, Guinea
Details: A small boat approached an MV and was boarded by unknown personnel, who were armed with knives and weapons. Items were reported as stolen from the vessel. The crew are reported to be safe.
10. BOARDED
Date: 26/10/2020
Location: Luanda Anchorage, Angola
Details: At Luanda anchorage, an offshore supply vessel reported an attempted theft. Five persons, one of whom was attempting to climb onboard, were spotted by the Second Officer. The alarm was raised resulting in the intruders fleeing. Vessel and crew were reported safe.
South-East Asia Overview
This reporting period has seen an increase compared to last month, with five 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: 13/10/2020
Location: Singapore Straits
Details: Three robbers armed with a steel bar boarded a tanker underway. Duty crew on routine rounds noticed the robbers and immediately informed the OOW. Alarm raised and all crew mustered. Seeing the alerted crew, the robbers escaped. Vessel and crew safe.
2. BOARDED
Date: 25/10/2020
Location: Singapore Straits
Details: Duty crew onboard a bulk carrier underway spotted five robbers armed with knives in the engine store room and immediately informed the OOW. Alarm raised and PA announcement made. Seeing the alerted crew, the robbers escaped. Some engine spares were reported stolen. Incident reported to the Singapore VTS. Vessel and crew safe.
3. ATTEMPTED BOARDING
Date: 25/10/2020
Location: Singapore Straits
Details: While underway, a speed boat approached a bulk carrier and came alongside at the starboard quarter. Alarm raised, deck lights switched on, crew mustered and ship’s whistle sounded. Seeing the alerted crew, the persons aborted the attempted boarding and escaped.
4. BOARDED
Date: 25/10/2020
Location: Singapore Straits
Details: After the pilot disembarked, the Master onboard a bulk carrier underway was contacted by VTIS indicating that the ship may have been boarded by robbers. Master immediately raised the alarm and made an announcement on the PA system. As the crew searched the accommodation and engine room, the 4th Engineer encountered three robbers armed with long knives. One of the robbers chased the 4th Engineer. Fortunately, the 4th Engineer managed to escape. Master was advised to drop anchor near Pulau Batam and two Indonesian Navy warships arrived. Indonesian Navy personnel then boarded the ship to investigate. Upon investigation, no robbers were found and the ship resumed her voyage.
5. BOARDED
Date: 25/10/2020
Location: Dumai Anchorage, Indonesia
Details: Duty AB on routine rounds onboard an anchored chemical tanker noticed wet footsteps on the poop deck and saw an unauthorised person escaping. Duty Officer notified. The duty AB reported that the person had gained access to the tanker via a bamboo pole and that there were an additional three persons waiting in a boat. The incident was reported to a local agent.
South America Overview
This reporting period has seen an increase in incidents of robbery or maritime crime. There have been five separate incidents within this reporting period.
1. BOARDED
Date: 20/10/2020
Location: River Passage, Guayaquil, Ecuador
Details: A container vessel under pilotage was approached and boarded by robbers armed with guns. Crew noticed the robbers opening the containers on deck. Alarm raised and all crew instructed to stay inside the accommodation. The robbers fired their weapons towards the accommodation area and escaped with cargo stolen from the containers. Incident reported to Port Authorities.
2. BOARDED
Date: 08/10/2020
Location: Macapa Anchorage, Brazil
Details: Three persons in a small fishing boat came alongside an anchored bulk carrier. Two of the robbers boarded and broke into the forecastle store. Alert OOW noticed the unauthorised persons on the forecastle and raised the alarm and sounded the ship’s horn. Crew mustered. Seeing crew alertness, the robbers escaped without stealing anything.
3. BOARDED
Date: 10/10/2020
Location: Callao Anchorage, Peru
Details: Chief officer onboard an anchored bulk carrier noticed movement on the forecastle deck and instructed the bosun to check. As the bosun moved forward, he noticed armed robbers who threatened him with a gun and knife. The bosun retreated immediately and raised the alarm. Seeing the alerted crew, the robbers escaped. Incident reported to port control. On investigating, it was noticed that the robbers had boarded using a rope attached to a hook. Ship’s stores reported stolen.
4. BOARDED
Date: 17/10/2020
Location: Callao Anchorage, Peru
Details: Duty officer onboard a tanker noticed a suspicious light near the forward store and asked the duty watchman to investigate. As the duty watchman approached, he was taken hostage and tied up by the robbers who stole his personal belongings. The robbers released the duty watchman before escaping. Duty officer and Master informed. Alarm raised and a search was carried out. Incident reported to the port authorities and local agencies.
5. BOARDED
Date: 18/10/2020
Location: Around 5.4nm NNW of La Salle, Haiti
Details: Three armed robbers boarded a drifting bulk carrier and stole ship’s stores. Alarm raised and crew mustered. Incident was reported to port authorities.
For More Information
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