Pirates Attacks Three Ships in SOMS within Three Hours
Three commercial ships were boarded by pirates within just three hours of each other in Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS), the ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre (ISC) has reported.
The vessels have been identified as the Brazilian-flagged bulk carrier MV Densa Shark, the Norwegian-flagged LNG tanker Clipper Posh and the Panama-flagged tanker Pro Triumph.
Within an interval of three hours on 17 Jun 15, three vessels while underway in the eastbound lane of the SOMS were reportedly boarded in close proximity with each other within 4 to 10 nautical miles of each other, leading authorities to believe that the perpetrators were part of the same group.
“In all three incidents, the perpetrators were sighted in the engine room, an indication that the vessel’s engine spare items were targeted. Considering the close interval of time and proximity of these incidents (between 4 nm and 10 nm), although not substantiated at this juncture, the perpetrators could possibly be from the same group,” ReCAAP said.
In all three incidents, the perpetrators were sighted in the engine room, an indication that the vessel’s engine spare items were targeted, ReCAAP said.
The organization said that even though these incidents were deemed as ‘petty theft’ in nature, it warrants ships to pay greater attention to shipboard security as access/authorized boarding has been breached. Notably, vessels were more vulnerable particularly those with low free board and navigating at slower speed when negotiating a turn in the area.
“Enhanced vigilance, early detection of perpetrators and activation of the alarm immediately are some of the key actions towards preventing boarding. However, should boarding takes place, immediate reporting to the nearest coastal State are encouraged,” ReCAAP added.
