IMB Reports Seafarers Still Facing Hazards By Armed Intruders
IMB Reports Seafarers Still Facing Hazards By Armed Intruders
In many parts of the world, seafarers are still facing the hazards of boardings by intruders and criminals, who often carry weapons. The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) Piracy Reporting Centre (PRC) collected the reports of recent incidents worldwide 24-hour PRC include the following:
- On June 17, armed men boarded two fishing vessels which was en route from Tambisan to Semporna, Malaysia. 10 of the 16 crew members were kidnapped and then they escaped. On June 21, nine of the crew were reported released, with one crew member still held.
- On May 31, an intruder was spotted onboard a bulk carrier anchored around 13 nautical miles off Bandar Penawar, Johor, Malaysia. He threatened the duty officers with a knife and escaped empty-handed with his accomplice in a waiting boat.
- On May 31, six people armed with knives boarded a bulk carrier anchored at Macapa, Brazil. The master raised the alarm, made a public address announcement and blew the whistle, and all crew mustered. It was later found that ship’s stores had been stolen.
- On May 3, armed men in a speedboat chased and fired on a tanker about 99 nautical miles off Brass, Nigeria. The alarm was raised, the vessel increased speed and took evasive maneuvers, and non-essential crew mustered in the citadel. The tanker evaded a boarding and crew were reported safe.
Reference: itfseafarers.org
