IFC - Information Fusion Centre - MARSEC Weekly Report

Highlights:

A. ROBBERY / PIRACY

4 events reported last week :

• 16 Mar : 1 Attempted action during the night, by 3 perpetrators, on a Bulk Carrier underway, East of Pulau Karimun Kecil, Indonesia (near Singapore Strait);

• 13 Mar : 1 Attempted action during the night, by 2 perpetrators, on a Container Vessel anchored at Belawan, Indonesia

• 12 Mar : 1 Attempted action during the night on a Tanker anchored in General Santos Harbour, Philippines

• 06 Mar : 1 Sea Theft on a Tug ad Barge anchored in Chittagong, Bangladesh

B. MARITIME INCIDENTS

• Off Honshu, Japan : A tanker collided with a fishing vessel south of Cape Irago Lighthouse, Honshu, Japan, and is now anchored at Toba anchorage for investigation.

• Off Maluku, Indonesia : A vessel sunk in waters off eastern Maluku, Indonesia, resulting in 15 people missing as rough seas hold off rescuers.

• Off Xiamen, China : Cargo ship sank in southern Taiwan Strait south of Xiamen, and 3 crew are missing.

C. CONTRABAND

• Sri-Lankan Police Narcotics Bureau discovered a freight container with 99.5 kilograms of heroin disguised as potatoes and arrested seven people.

• A drug smuggler was arrested for attempting to smuggle Meth (21.19kg) hidden inside tyres into Sabah, Malaysia.

• During two search operations carried out in northern seas today, the Sri Lankan Navy seized 485 kg of Kerala cannabis.

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Reminder about Singapore strait transit protection measures :

• Take a previous contact before any transit in Singapore strait (sectors 7 to 9) with Singaporean authorities and timely reporting any suspicious activity : https://www.mpa.gov.sg/web/portal/home/port-of-singapore/operations/vessel-traffic-information-system-vtis/operational-areas ;

• Increase vigilance in watch-keeping and deploy additional lookout ;

• Be wary of suspicious small boats approaching. Take photo of the suspicious boat and send to me as soon as possible ;

• Use CCTV cameras for coverage of vulnerable areas (if available) ;

• Keep ship's whistle, search lights and fog horn ready for immediate use ;

• Secure or lift external ladders to prevent their use and to restrict external access to the bridge ;

• Deploy Self-Protection Measures (SPM) eg. Rig the water spray hoses and foam monitors in a fixed position. Evasive manoeuvres have also been proven to deter perpetrators in the areas of concern ;

• Secure all doors and hatches providing access to the accommodation and machinery spaces ;

• Rig safety precautionary measures on the anchor cable hawse pipe while anchored.