ReCAAP ISC: Three Armed Robberies Against Ships In Asia Reported In Last One Week

ReCAAP ISC: Three Armed Robberies Against Ships In Asia Reported In Last One Week

ReCAAP Focal Points reported three incidents of armed robbery during 22-28 October 2019 in ships in Asia to ReCAAP ISC.

One was a CAT 21 incident in the Singapore Strait, the second was a CAT 4 2 at Cigading Anchorage, Indonesia and the third was an attempted incident that also occurred in the Singapore Strait.

1. The ReCAAP ISC classifies CAT (Category) 2 incident as a moderately significant one in which the perpetrators are armed with knives/matches and also guns sometimes. The crew is threatened and held hostage. The crew may have also suffered some injury and physical violence in some cases.

2. CAT (Category) 4 incident is classified as “least significant” in nature. Under this category, the perpetrators were not armed and the crew not harmed.

3. The attempted incident is an incident where perpetrators tried but failed to board the ship.

SITUATION IN THE SINGAPORE STRAIT

Seeing what happened in the eastbound lane of the Singapore Strait, ReCAAP ISC recommends referring to its Incident Alert issued on 23 Oct 19.

SITUATION OF ABDUCTION OF CREW IN THE SULU-CELEBES SEAS AND WATERS OFF EASTERN SABAH

As the risk of the abduction of crew in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and waters off Eastern, Sabah is high, ReCAAP ISC reiterates its advisory for all ships to reroute from the area issued via ReCAAP ISC Incident Alert dated 21 Nov 16.

Read more: 11 High Paying Marine Careers

If not then the shipmasters and the crew is asked to be more aware when passing through the area and to immediately report to the Operation Centres of Philippines and Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) of Malaysia. The contact details of the Operation Centres of the Philippines and ESSCOM of Malaysia (updated by ReCAAP ISC on 3 Jan 19) are as follows:

In the event that the shipmaster is not able to establish contact with the Operation Centres of the Philippines as listed in the ReCAAP ISC Advisory, he can contact the Philippine Coast Guard Command Centre at the following contact details:

Tel: +63-2-5273877 (direct)

+63-2-527-8481 to 89 (ext: 6136/37)

+63-917-724-3682 (mobile)

+63-929-825-3207 (mobile)

Email: pcgcomcen@coastguard.gov.ph

Reference: recaap