Maritime Incident Report: September 2020
Our monthly Maritime Incident Report: September 2020, covering maritime security and incidents throughout the Indian Ocean, West Africa, South East Asia and South America, for the period 01/09/20-30/09/20.
Indian Ocean Overview
In terms of Piracy, the Indian Ocean region has been inactive during this reporting period. 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.
There are no incidents to report during this period.
West Africa Overview
This reporting period has seen a slight decrease in terms of maritime crime and piracy compared to the previous month. There have been four reports of maritime crime.
Vessels are advised to exercise extreme caution when transiting in and around West Africa.
1. BOARDED
Date: 08/09/2020
Location: 33nm SSW of Lagos, Nigeria
Details: A refrigerated cargo ship was attacked by armed pirates while underway. The pirates kidnapped two crew. The remaining crew managed to retreat into the citadel. Nigerian navy patrol vessels were deployed to the location to assist. The navy boarded the vessel, conducted a search and escorted the vessel to a safe anchorage. The remaining crew reported safe.
2. BOARDED
Date: 09/09/2020
Location: Luanda Anchorage, Angola
Details: On the 09th September 2020 at 2154 UTC, an MV has reported an attempted theft by 4 intruders whilst at Luanda anchorage. The intruders boarded the vessel by anchor chain and fled when they saw the crew patrol. The crew were reported safe and nothing reported stolen.
3. SUSPICIOUS APPROACH
Date: 22/09/2020
Location: Around 108nm SSW of Accra, Ghana
Details: An MV was approached by one skiff with 8 POB. The vessel and crew are now safe and on route to her destination.
4. BOARDED
Date: 23/09/2020
Location: Takoradi Anchorage, Ghana
Details: Unnoticed, robbers boarded an anchored tanker stole ship’s stores and escaped.
South-East Asia Overview
This reporting period has also seen a decrease compared to last month, with two 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. ATTEMPTED BOARDING
Date: 22/09/2020
Location: Around 10nm ENE of Johor, Malaysia
Details: C/E on routine rounds in the engine room of a bulk carrier under pilotage noticed engine spares missing. An inspection indicated that unauthorised persons entered the engine room, stole ship’s spares and escaped.
2. BOARDED
Date: 29/09/2020
Location: Around 22nm NE of Pulau Bintan, Indonesia
Details: Unauthorised persons boarded an anchored tanker, broke into the aft store, stole ship’s spares and escaped. The break-in was noticed by the crew during routine rounds. A search was carried out. Incident was reported to Port Authority and local agent.
South America Overview
This reporting period has seen an increase in incidents of robbery or maritime crime. There have been three separate incidents within this reporting period.
1. BOARDED
Date: 15/09/2020
Location: Callao Anchorage, Peru
Details: Duty AB on routine rounds onboard an anchored container ship noticed a robber on the forecastle deck. Seeing the duty AB, the robber armed with a machete shouted and ran towards the AB resulting in the AB immediately retreating into the accommodation. Alarm raised and crew mustered. Hearing the alarm and seeing the crew alertness, the robber escaped without stealing anything. VTS notified and a patrol boat was dispatched to check and search the anchorage area.
2. BOARDED
Date: 22/09/2020
Location: Macapa Anchorage, Brazil
Details: Duty AB onboard an anchored bulk carrier noticed some suspicious activity near the forepeak store and proceeded to investigate. As he approached the store, he noticed two robbers armed with knives. He immediately informed the D/O and retreated into the accommodation. Alarm raised, ship’s horn sounded, crew mustered, and searchlights directed towards the forepeak. Hearing the alarm and seeing the crew alertness, the robbers escaped in a white hull boat. A search was carried out and ship’s properties were reported stolen. Pilot Station informed.
3. BOARDED
Date: 28/09/2020
Location: River Passage, Guayaquil, Ecuador
Details: Robbers armed with guns approached and boarded a container vessel under pilotage. Master raised the alarm, activated the SSAS and crew mustered. Despite the continuous alarm and searchlights, the robbers stole cargo from the containers and escaped. Incident reported to local authorities, who later boarded the vessel for investigation. Two containers were found open. Vessel and crew reported safe.
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