Hijacked Indonesian Tanker Found, Repainted, Eight Arrested
ON 9 October, around 0600 local time (LT), the Indonesia-registered product tanker, Srikandi 515, was boarded by perpetrators in Sampit waters, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia, reports ReCAAP ISC. Srikandi 515 was en route to Gresik, East Java, Indonesia from Sampit, laden with 3,100 tons of palm oil. The perpetrators reportedly blindfolded and tied the crew; took control of the vessel and sailed in a north-westerly direction.
Crew of Srikandi 515 Rescued!
22 October around 2000 LT, the perpetrators forced the crew of Srikandi 515 onto a life raft and abandoned them in the middle of the sea. The next day around 1930 LT, the crew was found and rescued by Vietnamese fishermen, who brought them to Chendering, Malaysia on 24 Oct around 0250 LT. It was later reported that the crew was transferred to the Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 25 Oct 14 around 1030 LT.
Action by ReCAAP ISC
On receiving the information, the ReCAAP ISC immediately alerted the regional authorities to be on the lookout for the vessel. These included the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) and the Indonesian authorities.
Responses by the Regional Enforcement Agencies
The Royal Thai Navy (RTN), which is also the ReCAAP Focal Point (Thailand), deployed a maritime patrol aircraft to search for Srikandi 515 but was unsuccessful.
Srikandi 515 Found, Arrests Made
On 27 Nov around 1030 LT, the RTN reported to the ReCAAP ISC that Srikandi 515 had been identified and located at approximately 9nm off Narathiwat province, Thailand by the RTN and Thai Marine Police. The Thai authorities also apprehended eight perpetrators onboard Srikandi 515. Srikandi 515 was reportedly repainted and renamed from “Srikandi 515” to “Chong Li 2”. The palm oil cargo onboard the vessel was apparently left intact. The vessel was subsequently escorted back to Songkhla, Thailand for further investigation.
ReCAAP ISC Comment
ReCAAP ISC commends the RTN and Thai Marine Police for the successful apprehension of the perpetrators as well as the recovery of the vessel and cargo. Investigation of the incident is currently ongoing and the ReCAAP ISC is working closely with the ReCAAP Focal Point (Thailand) to establish what had transpired onboard Srikandi 515 between 9 Oct and 27 Nov.
Source: ReCAAP ISC - Images: Courtesy of ReCAAP/RTN
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