Weekly Piracy Report 25 September - 1 October 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 25 September - 1 October 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

30.10.2001 at 2000 LT at Sebuku anchorage, Indonesia. Three pirates boarded a general cargo ship loading cargo from barges. They stole a life raft and escaped down the anchor chain and then in their boat. The crew suspect that one of the stevedore labour assisted pirates to gain access to the ship.

30.10.2001 at 0120 LT at Senakin anchorage, Kota Baru, Indonesia. Three pirates boarded a bulk carrier and stole two life rafts. Alert crew raised alarm. Pirates escaped in a speedboat.

27.09.2001 at 0730 LT in position: 20:25N - 071:21E, Gulf of Cambay, India. Twenty pirates in six fishing boats boarded a general cargo ship under tow and stole ship's stores. This is the second ship to be attacked in this position within a week.

26.09.2001 at 0400 LT at Balikpapan anchorage, Indonesia. During transhipment operations the watchman on a VLCC spotted two persons on the forecastle removing ship's stores from the forward locker. When pirates realised their presence was discovered, they escaped down the anchor chain.

25.09.2001 at 0300 LT at Deer Draft Southern Pier, Kakinada port, India. While berthed, duty A/B on a chemical tanker spotted two pirates lowering ship's stores in the water. Alarm was raised and crew alerted. As a result pirates jumped overboard and escaped in their motorboat.

18.09.2001 at 2345 LT off Subi Besar, Indonesia Between 12 to 17 pirates armed with guns in a speedboat boarded a tug towing a barge. They tied and blindfolded all 10 crewmembers and transferred them to their speedboat. The crew were taken to a mangrove swamp near Tg Berakit off Tg Ubin/Batam and held there until the night of 25.09.2001. The IMB sent out an alert to all ports and authorities in the region and as a result the tug was located at Pulau Kembang. The barge is still missing.

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. 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.

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

-- Rich Marsh (marshr@airmail.net), October 05, 2001