ReCAAP ISC Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia - April 2016 Report
THE latest ReCAAP ISC report states that a total of 10 incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships were reported in Asia in April 2016; Ten crew abducted from tug Brahma 12 were released 1 May.
Nine of the incidents were actual incidents of armed robbery and one was an attempted incident. No incident involving hijacking of tankers for theft of oil cargo was reported in April 2016, a situation which has continued since September 2015.
However there were two incidents involving the abduction of crew from tug boats in waters off east Sabah and southern Philippines in April 2016; and these were Category 1 (very significant) incidents. The ReCAAP ISC is concerned with the situation there, and has published a Special Report on 22 Apr 16 to share information on the recent situation and proposed measures to be taken by the shipping industry when operating in the vicinity.
Between January and April 2016, a total of 25 incidents were reported in Asia, and this accounts for a 61% decrease in number of incidents compared to the same period in 2015 when 64 incidents were reported.
Of the 10 incidents reported in April 2016, two were Category 1 incidents involving the abduction of crew off east Sabah and southern Philippines, seven were Category 4 incidents of petty theft in nature involving perpetrators who were not armed and escaped immediately when sighted by the crew; and one was an attempted incident reported in the South China Sea. Compared to April 2015, there has been a decrease in Category 4 incidents. Refer to Chart 3 (See full report). However, there were two Category 1 incidents involving the abduction of crew from Massive 6 on 1 Apr 16 and Henry on 15 Apr 16.
LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENTS
Of the 10 incidents reported in April 2016, six occurred on board ships while anchored, comprising ve at ports and anchorages in Indonesia (Samarinda, Jakarta, Semarang, Belawan and Pulau Batam); and one on board a ship anchored in the South China Sea. Four other incidents occurred on board ships while underway, comprising one reported off Pulau Bintan, Indonesia, one off East Sabah, Malaysia, one in waters off southern Philippines and one in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS). Please refer to Map 1 (see full report) for location of the 10 incidents of piracy and robbery on board ships in Asia in April 2016.
INCIDENT INVOLVING POSH VIKING (6 APR 16)
On 6 Apr 16 at or about 1106 hrs, Cayman Islands-registered tug boat, Posh Viking towing a Norwegian buoy tied to the stern of barge, M3319 was underway in the westbound lane of the Traf c Separation Scheme (TSS) of the Singapore Strait. At about 4.2 nm northwest of Nongsa Point, Batam, the crew saw two perpetrators in a small wooden boat making off with the Norwegian buoy and heading towards the direction of Pulau Batam. Refer to Map 2 (see full report). The crew reported the incident to Singapore’s POCC (Port Operation Control Centre) which is also the ReCAAP Focal Point (Singapore) who in turn, noti ed the Indonesian and Malaysian authorities. On 7 Apr 16 at or about 0730 hrs, Indonesia's West Fleet Quick Response (WFQR) team arrested the perpetrators and recovered the stolen buoy at Kampung Agas, Pulau Batam.
The ReCAAP ISC commends the Indonesian authorities for displaying agility and efficiency in responding to the incident immediately which led to the arrest of the perpetrators and recovery of the stolen buoy. This incident demonstrates the importance of timely reporting by the master to the authorities, close sharing of information among the littoral States, and prompt operational responses carried out by the relevant authorities.
ABDUCTION OF CREW FROM TUG BOATS OFF EAST SABAH
Two incidents of abduction of crew were reported to the ReCAAP ISC by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) which is also ReCAAP Focal Point (Philippines). The incidents occurred on board Malaysia-registered Massive 6 on 1 Apr 16 and Indonesia-registered Henry on 15 Apr 16.
ReCAAP ISC's Special Report Following one incident in March 2016 and two incidents in April 2016, the ReCAAP ISC has published a Special Report on ‘Abducting of Crew from Tug Boats in Waters off East Sabah and south Philippines’ on 22 Apr 16 to share information on the situation in the vicinity, and proposed measures to be taken by the shipping industry.
LATEST UDATE TUG BRAHMA 12
The PCG informed the ReCAAP ISC that the 10 crew who were abducted from tug boat Brahma 12 on 26 Mar 16 had been released by the ASG on 1 May 16 at about 1315 hrs, after 38 days in captivity. They were dropped off by unidenti ed individuals in Barangay Asturias, Jolo; and were subsequently turned over to the Headquarters, 2nd Marine Brigade situated in the same town. Afterwards, the 10 crew were airlifted by a Philippine Air Force (PAF) Helicopter to Zamboanga City for medical check-up and stress debriefing. On the same day at about 1925 hrs, they were own to Indonesia from Zamboanga by a private Indonesian aircraft. There were no reports on whether ransom had been paid or not.
CONCLUSION
The situation of piracy and armed robbery against ships in Asia has continued to improve with no report of incident involving hijacking of tankers for theft of oil cargo since September 2015. However, there were two incidents involving the abduction of crew for ransom in the waters off east Sabah and southern Philippines in April 2016. There is no room for complacency as more need to be done to enhance port security at certain ports and anchorages, and the situation in the waters off east Sabah and southern Philippines.
Download the full ReCAAP Report HERE
Source: ReCAAP ISC
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