Weekly IMB Piracy Warnings Report

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Weekly Piracy Report 18 - 24 September 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 18 - 24 September 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

24.09.2001 at 1430 UTC in position 14:15N - 042:41E, Southern Red Sea. Five pirates armed with guns boarded a container ship. Master sent radio messages for help which were monitored by a ship in the vicinity and relayed to IMB piracy reporting centre. IMB in turn passed these messages to nearby authorities. Further details are awaited.

24.09.2001 at 0150 LT at Lagos anchorage, Nigeria. A speedboat came alongside a container ship waiting to berth and three pirates armed with guns and knives boarded the ship. Duty watchman raised the alarm and alerted the crew. One of the pirates threatened the watchman with his gun. Pirates stole mooring ropes and escaped in their speedboat.

19.09.2001 at 0530 LT in position 20:32N - 071:21E, Gulf of Cambay, India. While underway, eight fishing boats approached a general cargo ship under tow. Fifteen pirates boarded and stole ship's stores. No injuries to crew. 18.09.2001 in position 09:11N - 014:32W, Conakry, Guinea. While underway, two fishing boats with 12 persons in each attempted to board a log carrier. Alert crew foiled the attempt.

18.09.2001 at 1140 LT at Bontang anchorage, Indonesia. While at anchor, three pirates attempted to board a bulk carrier from forecastle. Alert crew spotted them and foiled the attempt.

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 Acheh is particularly risky. Pirates recently boarded two vessels and kidnapped the crew for ransom. Ships are advised to be extra cautious when transiting the waters off Acheh. 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 2031 0014 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), September 28, 2001


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