Piracy Report 10/08

Some of you may have seen the news recently that Blackwater is putting together a crew to act as escort for ships in the Gulf of Aden.  This is an encouraging development, as efforts by regional and US forces to counter the pirates have been only somewhat successful.  There simply aren't enough resources being dedicated to the effort to do more than scare the pirates away.

You may recall the example of the Ukrainian vessel Faina, which was seized with 30 Russian tanks onboard.  Piracy has the potential to seriously affect not only world economies but also regional conflicts.  So, here's hoping we kill some of them soon.

Weekly Piracy Report
14-20 October 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 14 to 20 October 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

None reported

Recently reported incidents

16.10.2008: 1700 UTC: Posn: 12:44.0N – 045:52.0E: Gulf of Aden. A VLCC underway noticed, via radar, the echo of three high-speed boats approaching. Master increased speed, commenced evasive manoeuvres and altered course to prevent the speedboats from getting closer. Master attempted to contact the coalition warship via VHF Ch. 16 but failed to get any response. Later coalition warship responded and advised master to take evasive manoeuvres. As the speedboats approached the vessel, master noticed one speedboat with three men armed with machine guns. The evasive manoeuvres of the vessel prevented the boats from coming closer and later the speedboats aborted their attempt and disappeared.

15.10.2008: 0409 UTC: Posn: 13:33.92N – 050:10.70E: Gulf of Aden. Armed pirates in speedboats boarded and hijacked a bulk carrier underway along with its 21 crew. The pirates are sailing the vessel to an undisclosed location in Somalia. The vessel was enroute from Aqaba, Jordan to a port in China.

13.10.2008: 0600 LT: Posn: 10:14.6N - 107:26.3E: Vung Tau anchorage, Vietnam. Robbers boarded an anchored container ship unnoticed by crew. They stole ship’s stores and escaped. Crew on routine patrol noticed store padlock was broken and ship’s stores stolen. Authorities informed.

10.10.2008: 0900 LT: Posn: 15:10.0N – 051:45.0E: Gulf of Aden. Armed pirates in a speedboat chased a bulk carrier underway from astern. Master increased speed and made evasive manoeuvres to prevent boarding and contacted coalition warship on VHF Ch. 16. Later, the boat aborted the attempt. Coalition warship was monitoring the situation.

09.10.2008: 1700 UTC: Posn: 014:04.52N - 050:52.24E: Gulf of Aden. Armed pirates in speedboats boarded and hijacked a general cargo ship underway. They hijacked the vessel and sailed it to an undisclosed location in Somalia. Eleven crew members taken hostage. The vessel was enroute from Salalah to Bossaso, Somalia when hijacked. Further details awaited.

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 250 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.