Asia Piracy & Armed Robbery Against Ships - July 2013
Source: ReCAAP ISC 
ReCAAP ISC reports a total of 11 incidents comprising 10 actual incidents and one attempted incident of piracy and armed robbery against ships were reported in July 2013
Of these, one was a piracy incident occurred in the South China Sea. Of the 11 incidents, three were Category 2 (moderately significant) incidents, one was a Category 3 (less significant) incident, six were petty theft (minimum significant) incidents and one was an attempted incident.
Notably, petty theft incidents formed the bulk of the total number of incidents reported in July 2013, and they occurred at ports and anchorages in the Philippines (3) and Indonesia (3). No Category 1 incident was reported.
Of the 11 incidents reported in July 2013, three incidents occurred when the vessels were underway and all were Category 2 incidents.
The first incident occurred on 10 Jul 13 when tanker, LG Asphalt 1 was underway off Pulau Tioman, Malaysia. Eight robbers armed with guns and knives boarded the vessel, tied the crew; and stole the crew’s cash and personal belongings before they escaped.
The second incident occurred on 12 Jul 13 involving supply vessel, Crest Apache while underway off Pulau Damar, Indonesia in the South China Sea when armed pirates boarded the vessel and escaped with the crew’s personal belongings. After the pirates had left, one of the ship’s crew was discovered missing. It was not known if the crew was missing due to the incident or other reasons.
The third incident occurred on 18 Jul 13 when general cargo ship, Dolfijngracht was underway off Pulau Mapor, Indonesia. Ten robbers armed with guns and knives boarded the vessel, threatened the crew, and stole cash, computers and personal belongings before they escaped. It was also reported that a bullet hole was found on the vessel, indicating that the robbers had discharged their firearm. However, it was not known when and under what circumstance that the firearm was discharged. No crew was injured.
Conclusion
The ReCAAP ISC strongly recommends the Philippine authorities to increase presence and surveillance at the anchorages in Manila Bay, as three incidents have been reported there within an interval of 17 days. The ReCAAP ISC urges ship masters and crew to exercise extra vigilance, especially during hours of darkness, while anchored there as the three incidents occurred between 2330 hrs and 0500 hrs.For ships while underway, masters are advised to exercise extra vigilance when operating in the vicinity of Pulau Mapor area as there were reports of heightened activities in the area.
Ship masters and crew were advised to avoid confrontation with pirates/robbers who were armed. As seen in the incident involving Dolfijngracht, the robbers discharged their firearm and caused damage to the vessel. While the intention and reason for discharging their firearm is unclear, ship masters and crew are advised not to antagonise the pirates/robbers for their own safety, but to report all incidents to their flag State and the nearest coastal State immediately.
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