Chemical Tanker Hijack At Anchor in Lagos, Nigeria
In the early hours of January 16, a Bahamas-flagged chemical tanker, at anchor in Lagos, Nigeria, was hijacked by heavily armed pirates, or depending on the definition within territorial waters, heavily armed robbers.
Two heavily armed pirates were spotted on deck of an anchored Bahamas-flagged chemical tanker by the Officer Of the Watch (OOW) who raised the alarm at 0350 LT in the reported position 06:18N - 003:20E, Lagos anchorage, Nigeria.
The Master contacted the navy on VHF Channel 16, but received no response, according to the International Maritime Bureau, the piracy watchdog based in London and Malaysia.
Non-essential crew locked themselves in a safe location. Meanwhile, the pirates made their way to the bridge, fired warnings shots and gained access ono the bridge. They assaulted the Master and stole his personal effects. In the meantime, another 10 pirates arrived and ordered the Master to heave up anchor and the chief engineer to start the engines.
The pirates were very aggressive and highly agitated, and forced all crewmembers to lie down on the bridge floor. Under the pirates command, the vessel sailed to a location approximately 80-100nm South of Lagos. The crew were then forced to prepare the vessel for lightering operations - the act of transporting cargo from ship to shore via a lighter vessel.
On Jan 20, all crewmembers were locked in the smoke room and the lightering commenced. None of the crewmembers were able to see the lightering ship.
On Jan 21, the pirates disembarked at position 06:04N - 004:28E, after stealing crew cash and personal effects, and also ships' cash.
The Master returned to the Lagos anchorage, where authorities boarded to carry out an investigation. No injuries to crew were sustained, but the vessel sustained damage during lightering operations. The name of the chemical tanker has not been given so far.
This incident occurred a month prior to the incident where two crewmen from MV Fourseas SW were shot dead in a failed attempt to hijack a bulk carrier some 110NM off Lagos, Nigeria. Read more.
The piracy situation in Nigeria is compounded by a lack of suitable deterrents, says the UK P&I Club. The Nigerian navy is hard pressed to carry out existing missions, before considering the provision of effective anti-piracy cover. The Club advises that the utmost vigilance and preparedness, adapting the advice from BMP4 as necessary, and being mindful that violent piracy is spilling into neighbouring states waters where military assistance is even more remote, should be adopted.
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