Weekly Piracy Report 23 - 30 July 2001 The following is a summary of the daily reports broadcast to all shipping by the IMB's Piracy Reporting Centre on the safetyNET service of Inmarsat-C from 23 - 30 July 2001. For statistical purposes the IMB defines Piracy as: "An act of boarding or attempting to board any ship with the intent to commit theft or any other crime and with the intent or capability to use force in the furtherance of that act". This definition thus covers actual or attempted attacks whether the ship is berthed, at anchor or at sea. Petty thefts are excluded, unless the thieves are armed. Latest reported incidents 26.07.2001 at 2245 LT at Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. While at anchor, one pirate armed with a knife boarded a tanker from the forecastle using a grappling hook and lowered a mooring rope in a boat below. This was spotted by the duty officer who raised the alarm. The pirate jumped overboard and escaped in the boat.

24.06.2001 at 1450 LT at Luanda, Punta Final (Ilha), Angola. While underway, a speedboat with three men on board came alongside a supply ship.Two pirates boarded the ship and assaulted the watchman. When other crewmembers went forward, pirates jumped overboard and were picked up by their speedboat. They made more attempts to board but failed due to crew alertness.

24.07.2001 at 0115 LT at Tg. Priok, Jakarta, Indonesia. While at anchor, pirates armed with knives boarded a bulk carrier, entered into the engine room and tied up the duty watchman. They stole a large amount of engine spares before escaping.

19.07.2001 at 0230 LT at Panjang, Indonesia. While berthed, three pirates armed with knives boarded a bulk carrier, entered the engine room and tied up the duty motorman. Pirates stole generator spares. A crewmember spotted them lowering the booty into a boat and challenged them. One of the pirates brandished a knife and threatened the crewmember before jumping into the boat and escaping. Warnings Increasing number of attacks have been reported in the Malacca straits between the coordinates 01 to 02N - 101 to 103E. The most risk prone area is within 25 nm radius surrounding 02N - 102E, where the same armed gang of pirates seems to have repeatedly attacked ships. Ships are advised to avoid anchoring along the Indonesian coast of the Malacca straits unless required for urgent operational reasons. The coast near Aceh is particularly risky. Pirates recently boarded a vessel carrying out engine repairs and kidnapped the master of a tanker who is being held ashore for ransom. Ships calling at Indonesian ports of Belawan, Dumai, Merak, Samarinda and Tanjong Priok have reported numerous attacks whilst at berth and at anchor. Recently a number of ships have been hijacked in Indonesian waters. In view of the recent spate in hijackings, ship owners are advised to install a satellite tracking system on board. IMB recommends installation of Shiploc, which has proved to be invaluable in the location and recovery of hijacked vessels. Details can be found at www.shiploc.com Attacks have been reported at Chittagong, Mongla and Chennai while at anchor. Ships at ports in Bangladesh have been subjected to theft of zinc anodes welded to ship's sides and the stern. Somalian waters continue to be a risk-prone area for hijackings. Ships should keep at least 50 miles and if possible 100 miles from the Somali coast. Use of radio communications including the VHF in these waters should be kept to a minimum. Advice to all ships Extra caution is advised at all ports in Indonesia, Gelasa Str, Bangka Str, Berhala Str, Sunda Str, Malacca Straits, Singapore Str, Phillip Channel, Vung Tau, Chittagong Roads, Mongla Anchorage, Chennai anchorage, Cochin anchorage, Kandla, Southern Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, the Somali coast, Conakry, Nigerian ports and Rio Haina in the Dominican Republic. Ships are advised to maintain anti-piracy watches and report all piratical attacks and suspicious movements of craft to the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Tel ++ 60 3 2078 5763 Fax ++ 60 3 2078 5769 Telex MA 31880 IMBPCI 24 Hours Anti Piracy HELPLINE Tel : ++ 60 3 2031 0014 E-mail ccskl@imbkl.po.my

http://www.iccwbo.org/ccs/imb_piracy/weekly_piracy_report.asp

-- Rich Marsh (marshr@airmail.net), August 01, 2001