Increasing Concern of Crew Abduction from Ships in Asia
IN the latest incident alert, the ReCAAP ISC details the increasing cases of abduction of crew from ships. It goes on to state that it is deeply concerned about the situation of abduction of crew from ships while underway in the Sulu-Celebes Sea and eastern Sabah region. Since March 2016, there has been 11 incidents with nine actual incidents and two attempted incidents occurred in the area. Most of the incidents are claimed by the terrorist group of the Philippines Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG). 44 crew were abducted and 11 crew among them are still in captive.
Since October 2016, the perpetrators have begun to target ships of larger tonnage (Dong Bang Giant 2, Royal 16, Southern Falcon and Kumiai Shagang). Nonetheless, the latest attempted incidents of Southern Falcon and Kumiai Shagang show the vigilance of the crew and effective activation of anti-piracy measures had successfully prevented boarding by the perpetrators.
Reiterating its advisory to all ships, ReCAAP ISC reaffirms that ships are to re-route from the area, where possible. Otherwise, ship masters and crew are strongly urged to exercise extra vigilance while transiting the area and report immediately to the Centres, including the use of coded callsigns to Philippine Coastguard and Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM). ReCAAP underlines that ships are to adopt relevant preventive measures taking reference from the “Regional Guide to Counter Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia”.
See the incidents from March to November this year occurring in the Sulu-Celebes Sea and the eastern Sabah Region in the ReCAAP image below.
Source: ReCAAP ISC
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