ReCAAP ISC Warning #piracy #marsec @ReCAAPISC

WARNING 18/JUNE/2019

1. Category: Abduction of crew

2. Description: On 18 June 2019 at 0245 hours, an abduction of crew incident occurred off Semporna, Sabah on board two Malaysian Flag fishing boats. The two fishing boats accordingly were in Lahad Datu's Tambisan waters and heading towards Semporna when they were hijacked by gunmen, believed to be heavily armed, in speedboats. Accordingly, the perpetrators have taken four of the six crew members in the first fishing boat and six of the 10 crew members in the second boat.

3. Source: Media Report

4. This information is provided to inform maritime situational awareness for mariners operating in the area.

5. Any further information on this incident is appreciated. ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre (ISC) Email: info@recaap.org Tel: +65 6376 3084 Fax: +65 6376 3066 THIS WARNING IS PENDING VERIFICATION BY THE ReCAAP ISC

Detail of Incident: On 18 Jun 19 at about 0245 hrs, about 10 men armed with high powered firearms,believed to be members of the Sulu-based Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) abducted 10 crewfrom two Malaysian-registered fishing boats (with markings SA/2325/F and SA/5699/C).

The fishing boats were in the vicinity waters of Lahad Datu, Sabah, Malaysia when the perpetrators boarded the fishing boats from one jungkong-type watercraft and one speed boat painted orange and white. The ASG members abducted four crew from the first fishing boat and six crew from the second fishing boat; and were sighted in the area of Pondohan, Tabawan, Sitangkai, Tawi-tawi, Philippines at about 0330 hrs on 18 Jun 19.

The Philippine authorities are stepping up its patrol efforts, conducting pursuit operations and intensifying its military operation to rescue the abducted crew and neutralize the militant group.

Download the Full Report Here