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 6 to 12 May 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
04.05.2008: 1810 LT: 15:05.0N-051:13.0E: Gulf of Aden.
Two white speedboats chased a general cargo ship underway. Ship took evasive manoeuvres to prevent boats from getting closer. The two speedboats moved towards other larger vessels in the vicinity. Later, they returned with two more black speedboats, followed ship for a while, and then aborted the chase.
Recently reported
incidents
10.05.2008: 0330 LT: Tin Can port, Lagos, Nigeria.
Robbers boarded a general cargo ship at berth. Alert crew, raised alarm and the robbers jumped overboard into their waiting boat and headed for another ship.
04.05.2008: 0050 LT: Monrovia port, Liberia.
Three robbers, armed with knives, boarded a container ship at berth. Robbers cut and stole reefer container electric cables. Robbers escaped when sighted by ship’s crew. Master tried to contact PFSO by VHF but no response.
10.05.2008: 1625 LT: 05:35N - 097:05E, Northern Sumatera, Malacca straits.
Pirates in military camouflage attempted to board a chemical tanker underway using a bamboo pole attached to a hook. Master raised alarm and alerted ships in vicinity. Pirates aborted the attempt and escaped in their blue hull speedboat.
02.05.2008: 0200 LT: 03:48.98.3N – 100:43.03.3E, 4 nm off Tanjung Sauh, Malaysia.
Two fishing boats and eight-crew were attacked and hijacked while the crew was resting. The boats were taken to an Indonesian island and all the crew were forced to jump overboard. A passing Indonesian fishing boat rescued the crew and handed them over to the Indonesian navy. All crew were repatriated to Malaysia safely after investigation.
04.05.2008: 2300 LT: 22:12.9N-091:45.0E: Chittagong anchorage Bravo, Bangladesh.
Three robbers armed with knives boarded a container ship from the stern whilst seven robbers remained in the boat. They broke open the padlock to a storeroom and stole ship’s stores. Alarm raised and robbers escaped in the waiting boat.
04.05.2008: 2215 LT: 01:00N-051:30E: Off Somalia.
Two speedboats chased a chemical tanker underway. Pirates opened fire on the tanker. Master took evasive manoeuvres and increased speed. Later, the boats aborted the chase. Ship continued her passage. No reported injuries to crew.
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 : Sixty two incidents have been reported since January 2006. Pirates are targeting ships preparing to anchor. Most attacks reported at Chittagong anchorages and approaches. Although the number of attacks has fallen recently, the area is still listed as very high risk.
Indonesia : Balongan, Balikpapan, Belawan. Generally be vigilant
in other areas. Many attacks may have gone unreported.
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 : Pirates seen attacking ships while at anchor but in the past several ships were attacked while underway.
Africa and Red Sea
Lagos (Nigeria) : Pirates are violent and have attacked and robbed vessels/kidnapped crews along the coast and river, at anchorages and ports. A total of 42 incidents have been reported in Nigeria since 08.01.2007. Twenty five attacks alone for Lagos and seven for Bonny River. Generally be vigilant in other areas in Nigeria.
Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) : Twenty incidents have been reported since 05.06.2006. Pirates are targeting ships in port and anchorages.
Mombasa (Kenya):
Gulf of Aden / Red Sea : Numerous pirate attacks have been reported by ships and yachts in the Gulf of Aden/Red sea. In the past, some of the vessels were fired upon.
Somalian waters : The IMB Piracy Reporting Centre has received 31 actual and attempted attacks in 2007. Many more attacks may have gone unreported. Some pirates are dangerous and
would fire their automatic weapons at ships to stop them. Occasionally, they would use their
RPG (Rocket Propelled Grenade) launchers at ships. Pirates are believed to be using “mother
vessels” to launch attacks at very far distance from coast. These “mother vessel” is able to
proceed to very far out to sea to launch smaller boats to attack and hijack passing ships.
Eastern and Northeastern coasts are high risk areas for attacks and hijackings. 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. Mariners are also advised to report any
suspicious boats to the Centre.
South and Central America and the Caribbean waters
Brazil : Though the number of 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
pursued 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 .
