The following is
a summary of the daily reports broadcast by the IMB's Piracy Reporting
Centre to ships in Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Ocean Regions on the SafetyNET
service of Inmarsat-C from 19 to 25 August 2008.
ALERT
Chittagong anchorage, Bangladesh
The number of attacks has reduced since 2006. However, the area is still listed as a high risk area and mariners are advised to be cautious especially while approaching the anchorage and while at anchor at Chittagong
Nigeria
Violent attacks carried out by pirates on board vessels at anchor and vessel carrying out STS operations. Mariners are advised to exercise extreme caution in these waters.
Suspicious crafts
24.08.2008: 0655 LT: Posn 12:49N – 050:30E, Gulf of Aden.
A suspicious looking tugboat was following a general cargo ship. Latest position of suspicious craft is 12:53.8N – 050:36.3E
23.08.2008: 0630 UTC: 13:16.9N - 042:55.3E, Gulf of Aden.
A white colour speedboat with five persons onboard approached a ship underway. Alarm raised, crew mustered and activated fire hoses. The suspicious boat approached the ship the second time, followed the ship for 10 minutes and then moved away.
Recently reported
incidents
24.08.2008: 0005 LT: Posn 16:59.7N – 082:21.4E, Kakinada, India.
Two robbers boarded a chemical tanker at anchor. Robbers tried to steal the fire wire and other ship stores. On hearing the emergency alarm and ship’s horn, the robbers fled with the fire wire in a waiting boat along with two other accomplices.
23.08.2008: 1708 LT: 14:16N - 050:19.40E, Gulf of Aden.
Pirates, in two speedboats chased and fired upon a general cargo ship underway. Master raised alarm, increased speed, took evasive manoeuvres, activated anti-piracy measures and fired rocket flares. At 1820 LT, when the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre contacted the master of the vessel again he indicated that the pirates had stopped firing and chasing the ship. The Master informed that the mother ship was about three NM away. Further details are awaited.
23.08.2008: 1330 UTC: 14:11.3N - 050:20.3E, Gulf of Aden.
Pirates chased and fired upon a bulk carrier underway. Master contacted the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre for help. The Centre informed the coalition and other agencies for immediate assistance. Military aircraft arrived and the pirates stopped the chase. Further details awaited.
21.08.2008: 0945 UTC Posn 12:57.9N – 048:56.7E, Gulf of Aden.
Armed pirates boarded and hijacked a general cargo ship underway. Further details awaited.
21.08.2008: Gulf of Aden.
Pirates armed with automatic weapons attacked and hijacked a bulk carrier underway. The vessel sent distress messages, which were relayed by passing ships in the vicinity to the IMB Piracy-Reporting Centre. Duty officer at the Piracy Reporting Centre contacted the coalition navy to render assistance to the crewmembers and vessel. The vessel was enroute to Rotterdam from China carrying steel products and minerals. Pirates have taken hostage 29 crewmembers.
21.08.2008: Gulf of Aden.
Pirates armed with automatic weapons attacked and hijacked a chemical tanker underway. The owners and ships in the vicinity of the tanker contacted the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre and informed of the incident. The IMB Piracy Reporting Centre immediately contacted the coalition navy to render assistance to the vessel. The vessel was carrying a cargo of flammable chemical cargo from Fos, France to India. 19 crewmembers taken hostage. Coalition warships are monitoring the hijacked vessel.
20.08.2008: 2130 UTC: 09:55N-076:05E, Cochin anchorage, India.
Four robbers boarded a container ship at anchor. They stole ship’s stores from the paint locker. Alarm raised and crew alerted. Robbers jumped overboard and escaped in their boat.
19.08.2008: 1807UTC: 12:46.24N – 047:55.18E: Gulf of Aden.
Pirates in two speedboats attacked and hijacked a chemical tanker underway.
The vessel sent distress messages which were relayed by passing ships in the vicinity to the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre. Duty officer at the Piracy Reporting Centre contacted the coalition navy to render assistance to the crewmembers and vessel. Coalition navy dispatched a warship to intercept the vessel. The vessel was carrying a cargo of palm oil. Further details awaited.
12.08.2008: 0600 LT: Jakarta car terminal, Indonesia.
Robbers boarded a vehicle carrier at berth and stole ship’s equipment (spare parts) of considerable value from the spare parts locker. The incident was unnoticed by ship’s crew. No violence or threat of violence was experienced.
Piracy prone areas and warnings
Mariners are warned to be extra cautious and to take necessary precautionary measures when transiting the following areas:
S E Asia and the Indian Sub Continent
Bangladesh :
Although the number of attacks has fallen, the area is still listed as very high risk. Pirates are targeting ships preparing to anchor. Most attacks reported at Chittagong anchorages and approaches.
Indonesia : Anambas/Natuna island area, Belawan. Pirates armed with guns and knives. Generally be vigilant in other areas. Many attacks may have gone unreported.
India : Kandla. Most ships were attacked while at anchor.
Malacca straits : Although the number of attacks has dropped due to the increase and constant patrols by the littoral states relevant Authorities since July 2005, ships are advised to continue maintaining a strict anti piracy watch when transiting the straits.
Philippines : Manila - Pirates target ships at anchor.
Singapore Straits :
Only one reported incident in the last quarter, but vessels are advised to continue to be vigilant and maintain anti piracy watch. In the past pirates seen attacking ships while at anchor and underway.
Africa and Red Sea
Lagos
& Bonny River (Nigeria) : Pirates are violent and have attacked and robbed vessels/kidnapped crews along the coast and rivers, at anchorages and ports. Vessels advised to be also vigilant in other areas in Nigeria.
Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) : Pirates are targeting ships in port and anchorages.
Gulf of Aden / Red Sea :
Somali pirates are now attacking vessels in the northern Somali coast in the Gulf of Aden. These pirates are firing automatic weapons and Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPG) in an attempt to board and hijack vessels. Once the attack is successful and the vessel hijacked, the pirates sail towards the Somali coast and thereafter demand a ransom for the release of the vessel and crew. All vessels transiting the area are advised to take additional precautionary measures and maintain strict 24 hours radar and anti piracy watch using all available means. Watch keeping crews should look out for small suspicious boats converging on vessel. Early sighting and accurate assessment will allow Master to increase speed and manoeuvre to escape pirates and at the same time request various Authorities/Agencies for assistance.
Somalian waters :
Recent incidents indicate that attacks have spread to the northern Somali coast. The Somali pirates are now attacking vessels in the northern Somali coast in the Gulf of Aden. Somali pirates are dangerous and are prepared to fire automatic weapons at ships in order to stop them. Occasionally they fire RPG (Rocket Propelled Grenade) launchers at ships. Pirates are believed to be using “mother vessels” to launch attacks far from the coast. These “mother vessels” proceed far out to sea and launch smaller boats to attack and hijack passing ships. Eastern and Northeastern coasts are high risk areas for attacks and hijackings. The IMB maintains its advice that vessels not making scheduled calls to ports in Somalia should keep as far away as possible from the Somali coast, ideally more than 200 nautical miles until a more permanent and encouraging sign is seen. Mariners are advised to report any suspicious boats to the Centre.
South and Central America and the Caribbean waters
Brazil : Although the number of reported attacks has dropped in Santos. Ships are advised to continue to be vigilant.
Peru : Callao
Rest of the World
Arabian Sea : Sightings and calls from suspicious small boats. In some cases, boats chased the ships with unknown intent.
Secure-Ship
Secure-Ship is the most recent and effective innovation in the fight against piracy. It is a non-lethal, electrifying fence surrounding the whole ship, which has been specially adapted for maritime use. The fence uses 9,000-volt pulse to deter boarding attempts. An intruder coming in contact with the fence will receive an unpleasant non-lethal shock that will result in the intruder abandoning the attempted boarding. At the same time an alarm will go off, activating floodlights and a very loud siren. The IMB strongly recommends ship owners to install this device on board their ships. Further details can be obtained at www.secure-marine.com
ShipLoc
There are a number of reliable ship tracking devices available on the market today based upon Inmarsat and other satellite systems.
The IMB endorses ShipLoc, an inexpensive satellite tracking system, which allows shipping companies, armed only with a personal computer with Internet access, to monitor the exact location of their vessels. In addition to anti-hijacking role, ShipLoc facilitates independent and precise location of ships at regular intervals. ShipLoc is fully compliant with the IMO Regulation SOLAS XI-2/6 adopted during the diplomatic conference in December 2002, concerning a Ship Security Alert System. The ship security alert system regulation that will be put into place as of July 2004, requires ships of over 500 GT to be equipped with an alarm system in order to reinforce ship security. The system allows the crew, in case of danger, to activate an alarm button that automatically sends a message to the ship owner and to competent authorities. The message is sent without being able to be detected by someone on-board or by other ships in the vicinity. ShipLoc is contained in a small, discrete waterproof unit, which includes: an Argos transmitter, a GPS receiver, a battery pack in case of main power failure, and a flat antenna. ShipLoc is one of the most reliable systems available today. For more information, please visit www.shiploc.com
Reporting of incidents
Ships are advised to maintain anti-piracy watches and report all piratical attacks and suspicious movements of craft to the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre,
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia .
