IMB ICC Live Piracy & Armed Robbery Report 2018 - Reported to @IMB_Piracy in Last 7 days #marsec

Incidents reported by the IMB in the last 7 days

043-18

Tug

07.01.2018: 0738 UTC,

Posn: 21:12.60N – 072:12.79E, Around 11nm South of Alang, Gujarat, India.

Three robbers boarded a tanker under tow by a tug. Alarm raised and crew mustered. Seeing the crew alertness, the robbers escaped with ship’s stores and engine spares. Incident was reported to Indian Coast Guard. The three robbers were later arrested by the marine police and the stolen items recovered.

042-18

Product Tanker

26.02.2018: 2330 UTC:

Posn: 06:16.31N – 002:29.24E, Cotonou Anchorage, Benin.

Five armed persons approached an anchored tanker in a speed boat. As they boarded the vessel they commenced firing and injured one of the Benin navy guards onboard the tanker. All crew except the OOW on the bridge retreated into the citadel. As the armed persons made their way to the bridge they fired upon and injured another Navy Guard. They took hostage the OOW and demanded the Master, Chief Officer and Chief Engineer come on the bridge. The armed persons demanded the Master heave up anchor but when they were notified that the tanker was in ballast they stole crew properties, kidnapped the Master and one engineer and left the vessel in the tankers rescue boat. The Benin Navy was notified to medivac the injured guards. Once the armed persons were safely ashore they released the Master and engineer who were able to make contact with the local police and later joined the tanker.

041-18

Container

25.02.2018: 0842 UTC,

Posn: 02:21.3S – 079:59.7W, Guayaquil Inner Anchorage, Ecuador.

Duty AB on routine rounds onboard an anchored container ship was confronted saw five robbers on the aft deck. One robber, with a gun was seen near the entrance to the steering gear room. The AB immediately retreated and informed the Duty Officer. Alarm raised and port control notified. A coast guard boat was sent to the vessel. All crew safe. Nothing reported stolen.

040-18

Tug

18.02.2018: 1900 UTC,

Posn: 01:09.7N – 103:56.4E, Around 3nm West of Batu Ampar Port, Indonesia.

During routine rounds onboard an anchored offshore tug, the bosun reported the lock to the engine room hatch as broken. Investigations revealed several foot prints on the aft deck and a large number of spare parts missing.

039-18

Container

24.02.2018: 1016 UTC,

Posn: 03:33.8N – 007:02.7E, around 50nm SSW of Bonny Island, Nigeria.

Around eight armed pirates in a speed boat chased a container vessel underway. Alarm raised, SSAS activated, speed increased and all non-essential crew retreated to the citadel. Nigerian navy contacted, who informed the Master to rendezvous with their naval vessel in the vicinity. As the pirate boat closed the Master commenced evasive manoeuvres. Due to the hardening the pirates were unable to hook their ladder onto the vessel and moved away. Nigerian navy escorted the vessel to the pilot boarding point.

038-18

Tanker

18.02.2018: 1845

UTC, Posn: 03:41.5N – 006:37.5E, around 42nm SE off Brass, Nigeria.

A speed boat with six to seven armed pirates chased and fired upon a tanker underway. Alarm raised, crew mustered, evasive manoeuvres commenced and Nigerian authorities contacted. Due to the vessel hardening the pirates were unable to board the vessel and moved away. The vessel was escorted to Bonny anchorage by two navy vessels. All crew safe. Vessel sustained minor damage due to being fired upon.

037-18

Refrigerated Cargo

24.02.2018: 1520 UTC,

POSN: 03:38.1N – 006:42.0E, around 40nm SSW off Bonny fairway buoy, Nigeria.

Around 10 pirates in a speed boat, armed with automatic weapons, chased and fired upon a reefer vessel underway. The armed guards onboard the vessel returned fire, resulting in the pirates aborting the attach and moving away. All crew safe. Vessel sustained minor damage due to the firing.

036-18

Product Tanker

22.02.2018: 2030 UTC,

Posn: 03-28.1N - 050-27.8 E, around 315nm ENE of Mogadishu, Somalia

Two skiffs chased and fired upon a product tanker underway. Alarm raised and crew mustered. Vessel increased speed and armed guards returned fired resulting in the pirates aborting the attack.

035-18

Bulk Carrier

24.01.2018: 0515 UTC:

Posn: 03:38N – 006:37E, Around 45nm SE of Brass, Nigeria.

While underway, two skiffs with 2 - 3 armed pirates in each skiff chased and fired upon a bulk carrier underway. Ship increased speed, crew mustered in a safe place and the armed guards were on standby. Due to the hardened measures the pirates aborted the attempt.

034-18

Product Tanker

22.02.2018: 0525 UTC:

Posn: 18:34.15N - 072:24.29E, Port Au Prince Anchorage, Haiti.

Duty AB on routine rounds onboard an anchored tanker noticed robbers armed with guns on the forecastle deck and immediately raised the alarm. Crew mustered. Seeing the alerted crew, one of the robbers fired a warning shot and escaped. Crew and ship reported safe. Incident reported to Port Authorities.

For the latest reports go to the IMB Piracy Reporting Center