Weekly Piracy Report 30 October - 5 November 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 30 October - 5 November 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 05.11.2001 at 1055 LT at port Kismaayo, Somalia. On completion of cargo operations, a general cargo ship cast off mooring ropes and was preparing to sail. A group of persons fired at the ship with machine guns. At least 20 shots hit the superstructure and one bullet hit the bridge window, narrowly missing the master. Two windows on bridge, mess room and accommodation door were smashed. No injuries to crew. Incident was reported to harbour master and firing stopped and the ship sailed. Earlier a small wooden ship was also hit with machine gun fire.

05.11.2001 at 0715 UTC in position 12:29N - 044:43E, five NM from Aden port, Yemen. Persons in a boat attempted to board a bulk carrier underway. Duty officer took evasive maneuvers and the attempted boarding was aborted.

04.11.2001 at 2245 LT in position 06:01.7N - 003:31E, off Lagos, Nigeria. While drifting, persons in an unlit small craft attempted boarding a bulk carrier. Alert crew spotted the craft and directed searchlights. As a result the craft left the scene at 2300 hours. Earlier that day there was an attack on another ship near the same location as listed below.

04.11.2001 at 0410 LT in position 06:06N - 003:37E, 20 miles south of fairway buoy, Lagos anchorage, Nigeria. While adrift off Lagos, about six pirates boarded a general cargo ship and stole a life raft and ship's stores.

03.11.2001 at 0410 LT in position 01:49.7N - 102:31.5E, Malacca straits. A chemical tanker underway noticed a fishing boat nearby. Minutes later the boat switched off her lights and persons inside attempted to board the tanker. Alert crew raised alarm and the attempted boarding was aborted.

30.10.2001 at point Pedro, Jaffna, Sri Lanka. Tamil Tiger rebels in five boats attacked a tanker with explosives. Awaiting further details.

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), November 10, 2001