Weekly Piracy Report (23 Sept - 29 Sept 2008)
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 23 September to 29 September 2008.
ALERT
Gulf of Aden
Masters using the Maritime Security Patrol Area (MSPA) while transiting the Gulf of Aden are not relieved of their obligation and should continue to maintain a strict 24 hour look out using all available means to get an early warning of an approaching threat. Early indication of a piratical incident will enable the master to contact the Coalition Navies, the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre and respond appropriately to prevent boarding.
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.
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
Suspicious crafts
28.09.2008: 0210 LT: Posn: 13:30.4N - 048:31.8E, Gulf of Aden.
Three suspicious boats increased speed and chased a bulk carrier steaming. Â Master increased speed and carried out evasive manoeuvres. After chasing the ship for about one hour, the suspicious boats stopped chasing and altered towards another ship proceeding in the reciprocal direction. Coalition naval forces were informed.
Recently reported incidents
- 23.09.2008: 1751 LT: Tema port: Ghana.
Robbers boarded a container ship at anchor. Robbers took hostage one crewmember and stole ship’s stores. Â Robbers fled when master alerted the authorities.
- 20.09.2008: 0100 LT: Posn: 6.6 nm Off Lagos breakwater, Nigeria.
Two robbers armed with knives boarded a tanker at anchor conducting STS operations. Duty A/B noticed the robbers on the poop deck. He shouted at them and informed the D/O. Robbers caught the A/B, threatened him with a knife and took his personal belongings. Alarm raised, ship’s whistle sounded and crew mustered. On hearing the alarm, the robbers escaped. A/B received minor injuries.
- 26.09.2008: 0920 UTC: Posn: 13:32N - 048:26E, Gulf of Aden.
Armed pirates fired upon a chemical tanker underway. The tanker sent mayday messages via VHF channel. The pirates boarded and hijacked the tanker. Further details awaited.
- 25.09.2008: 1600 LT: Posn: 02:01N - 050:4E, East coast Somalia.
Armed pirates boarded and hijacked a RO-RO cargo ship underway. Further details awaited.
- 24.09.2008: 0325 LT: Posn: 06:02.45S - 106:54.61E, Tg. Priok, Jakarta, Indonesia.
Three pirates armed with knives boarded a container ship at anchor via the stern. Alert watchman notified to duty officer who raised ship’s alarm and whistle. Pirates immediately jumped overboard and escaped. The incident was reported to Tg. Priok port control but no response.
- 23.09.2008: 0050 LT: Dar es Salaam anchorage, Tanzania.
Approximately six robbers boarded a container ship. Alarm raised, and crew mustered. On seeing crew alertness robbers jumped into a waiting boat and escaped.
- 19.09.2008: 1349 LT: Posn: 13:13.6N - 049:31.4E: Gulf of Aden.
Twelve pirates, in three speedboats, armed with automatic guns and rocket propelled grenade launchers chased a container ship. Vessel increased speed, evasive manoeuvres taken and fire hoses directed at the speedboat. Pirates approached vessel on stbd bow and tried to board. Later, they aborted the attempt and moved away.
Source: icc-ccs.org
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