Weekly Piracy Report 2 October – 8 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 2 October – 8 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

07.10.2001 at 0420 LT at Redeco jetty 1, Merak, Indonesia. While berthed, four persons in a small boat attempted to board a LPG carrier. They threw a grappling hook on the railing, which was attached to a ladder. Duty A/B spotted the boat, raised the alarm and directed searchlight at the boat. As a result the boat moved away.

06.10.2001 at 0200 UTC at Abidjan Roads, Ivory Coast. A boat with four persons came alongside a tanker at anchor. Two pirates armed with long knives boarded via anchor chain. Anti piracy watch spotted them and raised alarm. Pirates stole ship's stores and escaped by a boat.

05.10.2001 at 0200 LT in position 24:31.5n - 119:08, Taiwan Strait. While underway, persons in an unlit speedboat tried to board a container ship. Anti piracy watch raised the alarm and the attempt was aborted. Four hours earlier there was another aborted attempt to board the ship.

04.10.2001 at 2300 LT at Douala, Cameroon. Pirates broke into a storeroom near the funnel while a general cargo ship was unloading cargo. They stole a large quantity of safety equipment. Port authorities sent security personnel to the ship to investigate.

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 imbkl@icc-ccs.org.uk

-- Rich Marsh (marshr@airmail.net), October 10, 2001