The following is a summary of the daily reports broadcast by the IMB’s Piracy Reporting Centre to ships in Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Ocean Regions on the SafetyNET service of Inmarsat-C from 4 to 10 March 2008.
ALERT
Chittagong anchorage, Bangladesh
The number of attacks has reduced since 2006. However, the area is still listed as a high risk area and mariners are advised to be cautious especially while approaching the anchorage and while at anchor at Chittagong
Nigeria
Violent attacks carried out by pirates on board vessels at anchor and vessel carrying out STS operations. Mariners are advised to exercise extreme caution in these waters.
Suspicious crafts
None reportedRecently reported incidents
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02.03.2008: 2315 LT: Posn 06:18.3N – 003:20.54E, Lagos light house anchorage, Nigeria. Two robbers armed with knives attacked, injured and robbed the duty watchman onboard an anchored tanker. Other watchman, nearby, informed the bridge and tried to assist the watchman. Alarm raised and the robbers jumped overboard and escaped. Facial injuries tended to by onboard medical officer. Arrangements made for injured AB to visit the doctor the next day. Masters’ attempt to contact port control was futile. |
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09.03.2008: 1045 LT: 18:03.7N – 119:55.44E, Off Luzon, Philippines. A tanker was passing a group of 15 fishing vessels. When about 1.5 nm off, three boats left the group and approached the tanker at high speed. One boat came within 10 meters of the tanker. Master took evasive manoeuvres, raised alarm, whistle sounded and crew mustered. After 15 minutes, the boats aborted the attempted attack. |
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08.03.2008: 0400 LT: Jetty no.106, Belawan port, Indonesia. Unauthorised persons diverted attention of duty crew and shore watchmen, while three robbers armed with long knives boarded the vessel from offshore side of the vessel and stole ships stores. Luckily, the duty crew spotted the robbers and raised alarm. Upon seeing crew alertness the robbers jumped overboard and escaped in a small unlit craft. |
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05.03.2008: 0105 UTC: 22:49.5N – 070:02.5E: Kandla anchorage: India. Upon anchoring at the outer anchorage, Kandla tower informed the master that security level II was being maintained in the outer anchorage area. Keeping this in mind strict anti piracy watch keeping procedures were maintained. The alert watch keepers spotted a robber onboard the vessel. Bridge informed, raised alarm, and crew mustered. The robber jumped overboard and was picked up by a red motor boat in which there were around six to seven more robbers. Nothing stolen. |
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04.03.2008:0610 LT: 03:17.2N – 124:18.4E: Indonesia. A bulk carrier underway was approached from a distance of 3 – 4 nautical miles by about 15 – 20 speed boats at speeds of 30 – 40 knots from all directions. Some came as close as 5 meters from the vessels’ stern. Vessel raised alarm, increased speed, crew mustered, manoeuvred in a zigzag course and enforced anti piracy measures. Master broadcast a security message on VHF Ch 16 and contacted the piracy-reporting centre. Seeing the crew vigilance, the speedboats moved away and regrouped near a fishing trawler in the vicinity. Vessel continued to her port of destination. |
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04.04.2008: 0100 LT: Chittagong Ruby cement jetty: Bangladesh. Three robbers armed with long knives boarded a berthed general cargo ship. They assaulted and grievously injured the shore-based security guard, by cutting his face. Alarm raised and crew mustered. Robbers jumped overboard and escaped with ship’s stores. Injured security guard later received medical treatment ashore. |
Piracy prone areas and warnings
Mariners are warned to be extra cautious and to take necessary precautionary measures when transiting the following areas:
S E Asia and the Indian Sub Continent
- Bangladesh : Sixty two incidents have been reported since January 2006. Pirates are targeting ships preparing to anchor. Most attacks reported at Chittagong anchorages and approaches. Although the number of attacks has fallen recently, the area is still listed as very high risk.
- Indonesia : Balongan, Balikpapan, Belawan. Generally be vigilant in other areas. Many attacks may have gone unreported.
- Malacca straits : Although the number of attacks has dropped due to the increase and constant patrols by the littoral states relevant Authorities since July 2005, ships are advised to continue maintaining a strict anti piracy watch when transiting the straits.
- Philippines : Manila – Pirates target ships at anchor.
- Singapore Straits : Pirates seen attacking ships while at anchor but in the past several ships were attacked while underway.
Africa and Red Sea
- Lagos (Nigeria) : Pirates are violent and have attacked and robbed vessels/kidnapped crews along the coast and river, at anchorages and ports. A total of 42 incidents have been reported in Nigeria since 08.01.2007. Twenty five attacks alone for Lagos and seven for Bonny River. Generally be vigilant in other areas in Nigeria.
- Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) : Twenty incidents have been reported since 05.06.2006. Pirates are targeting ships in port and anchorages.
- Mombasa (Kenya):
- Gulf of Aden / Red Sea : Numerous pirate attacks have been reported by ships and yachts in the Gulf of Aden/Red sea. In the past, some of the vessels were fired upon.
- Somalian waters : The IMB Piracy Reporting Centre has received 31 actual and attempted attacks in 2007. Many more attacks may have gone unreported. Some pirates are dangerous and would fire their automatic weapons at ships to stop them. Occasionally, they would use their RPG (Rocket Propelled Grenade) launchers at ships. Pirates are believed to be using “mother vessels” to launch attacks at very far distance from coast. These “mother vessel” is able to proceed to very far out to sea to launch smaller boats to attack and hijack passing ships. Eastern and Northeastern coasts are high risk areas for attacks and hijackings. Vessels not making scheduled calls to ports in Somalia should keep as far away as possible from the Somali coast, ideally more than 200 nautical miles. Mariners are also advised to report any suspicious boats to the Centre.
South and Central America and the Caribbean waters
- Brazil : Though the number of attacks has dropped in Santos, ships are advised to continue to be vigilant.
- Peru : Callao
Rest of the World
- Arabian Sea : Sightings and calls from suspicious small boats. In some cases, boats pursued the ships with unknown intent.
Posted by Bob Couttie 
Posted by Bob Couttie 
Posted by Bob Couttie 
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