Suspect Hijacked Tanker Rescued by Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
In one of the swiftest operations to counter piracy in SE Asia, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) were praised for their immediate response to rescue a chemical tanker and its 11-crew within 12 hours of the suspected hijack taking place.
On 29 Jan The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency received information from the owner of Malaysia-registered chemical tanker, Sun Birdie, that the vessel could not be contacted since 28 Jan at or about 2200 LT. The last known position of the tanker was in position 01:19.39N - 104:12.35E, approximately 1nm south of Tanjung Ayam, Malaysia on 29 Jan 15 at or about 0032 LT.
Suspected Hijacking
The owner suspected that the chemical tanker may have possibly been hijacked, and called MMEA for assistance. Sun Birdie was laden with 700 metric tons of Marine Fuel Oil (MFO) and carried 11 crew onboard (comprising 8 Myanmar nationals and 3 Indonesians). Upon receipt of the information from the Information Fusion Centre (IFC) in Singapore, the ReCAAP ISC immediately informed its ReCAAP Focal Points/Contact Point to look out for Sun Birdie and to report sightings of the chemical tanker and crew to the nearest coastal State. The MMEA and Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) had reportedly deployed vessels to search for Sun Birdie.
Vessel Found and Perpetrators Arrested
On 29 Jan at or about 2253 hrs, the MMEA successfully recovered Sun Birdie in position 01:42.03N - 104:30.46E, approximately 17.63nm northeast of Tanjung Penawar, Malaysia.
The MMEA detained the ship’s crew and the seven perpetrators found onboard the Sun Birdie. The MMEA brought the vessel to Penggerang for further investigation.
Another two perpetrators had jumped overboard and fled. They were picked up at 0945 LT on 30 Jan by a passing ship, Challenger Premier, in position 01:30.2N - 104:29.5E, approximately 12.73 nm east of Tanjung Penawar, and were later handed over to the MMEA. The CSO of the shipping company of Challenger Premier reported the rescue of the two persons to the IFC.
Swift Response
From the time the incident was reported to MMEA till the vessel was found and the perpetrators arrested, all within 12 hours on the same day, demonstrated the determination and commitment of the enforcement agency in clamping down on illegal maritime activities in this region.
ReCAAP ISC stated that It is pertinent to highlight the quick recovery of the lost vessel and the arrest of the perpetrators onboard. Timely reporting of the incident by the owner to MMEA (nearest coastal State agency), coupled with MMEA’s immediate responses had contributed towards the successful arrest of the perpetrators and safeguarding the safety of the crew.
In 2014, the amount of vessel hijacked and fuel cargo siphoned by criminal gangs had increased to recent years although piracy incidents in SE Asia had decreased in general terms. So far, this January, there has been several ships attacked in a 43nm radius in the Malacca/Singapore Straits.
Original Source: ReCAAP ISC
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