Weekly Piracy Report – Don’t Let Your Guard Down

HOA Pirate Activity, 5 – 12 September

Piracy Incidents By Region: SEP 5 – 12

WEST AFRICA

NIGERIA: Oil tanker fired upon while underway on 9 September at 06: 09 N – 002: 53 E, approximately 34 nm south west of Lagos travelling from Lome to Lagos. Unknown number of pirates fired several shots at underway vessel in an attempted boarding event. Non-essential crew mustered in citadel and the vessel utilized evasive action to evade the attacking vessel. Pirates attempted to board the vessel several times but after a 20 minute chase the hostile vessel broke off pursuit. No damage to vessel or injuries to the crew, but several bullets did hit the vessel superstructure. Nigerian Navy deployed an escort while the tanker anchored off Lagos. (IMO/IMB)

INDIAN OCEAN–EAST AFRICA

INDIA: Chemical tanker hijacked on 7 September near 21: 40 N – 088: 01 E, Sagar Anchorage, Haldia. Four armed robbers carrying knives and rods boarded a chemical tanker from the aft while vessel was at anchor. Duty crew members spotted the robbers and immediately informed the Chief Officer and Master. The alarm was raised and the crew was mustered. The crew did not sustain any injury, however the robbers escaped with four mooring ropes. The event was reported to the Indian Coast Guard. (IMO/IMB)

INDONESIA – Container vessel boarded on 11 September at 03: 54 N – 098: 46 E, Belawan Anchorage. Five robbers approached the anchored container ship in a small boat. Two robbers subsequently boarded the vessel and proceeded to break into the forward storeroom, stealing ship’s property. Upon seeing vessel crewmembers approaching the robbers escaped. Port control was informed of the event. (IMO)

INDONESIA – LPG tanker boarded on 8 September at 05:34 S – 104:36 E, Teluk Semangka Anchorage. Five armed robbers carrying sticks approached the vessel in a small fishing boat and boarded it. The duty crew noticed the robbers and informed bridge who raised the alarm and the crew was mustered. Upon hearing the alarm, the robbers quickly left the vessel empty handed. Port control was informed of the event. (IMB)

INDONESIA – Chemical tanker boarded on 3 September at 03:55 N – 098:46 E, Belawan Anchorage. Six armed robbers caring guns and knives boarded an anchored chemical tanker using hook attached to a bamboo pole. A crewman noticed the robbers and attempted to contact the bridge via his walkie-talkie but the robbers seized it, took him as a hostage and tied him up. While the robbers were stealing ship’s stores and properties, the crewman was able to free himself and raise the alarm. Upon hearing the alarm, the robbers escaped with the stolen items. Port control was informed of the event. (IMB)

List of Hijacked Vessels – Name, Flag, Type, Hijacked Date

1. ICEBERG I, Panama, RoRo, 29 March 2010
2. ALBEDO, Malaysia, Container Cargo, 25 November 2010
3. ORNA, Panama, Bulk Cargo, 20 December 2010
4. FREE GODDESS, Liberia, Bulk Cargo, 7 February 2012
5. ROYAL GRACE, Panama, Chemical Tanker, 2 March 2012
6. NAHAM 3, Oman, Fishing Vessel, 26 March 2012
7. SMYRNI, Liberia, Crude Oil Tanker, 10 May 2012

Piracy Weather Forecast: SEP 12 – 19

GULF OF ADEN: West-northwesterly winds of 10 – 14 knots and seas of 1 – 3 feet in the western portion of the Gulf; and west-southwesterly winds of 6 – 10 knots and seas of 2 – 4 feet in the eastern portion of the Gulf. EXTENDED FORECAST: West-northwesterly winds of 8 – 12 knots and seas of 3 – 5 feet in the western portion of the Gulf; and west-southwesterly winds of 8 – 12 knots and seas of 2 – 4 feet in the eastern portion of the Gulf.

SOMALI COAST: South-southwesterly winds 18 – 22 knots and seas of 7 – 9 feet north of 5 degrees North; and southwesterly winds of 16 – 20 knots and seas of 7 – 9 feet south of 5 degrees North. EXTENDED FORECAST: South-southwesterly winds 20 – 24 knots and seas of 10 – 12 feet north of 5 degrees North; and south-southwesterly winds 16 – 20 knots and seas of 9 – 12 feet south of 5 degrees North.

ARABIAN SEA: Southwesterly winds of 10 – 14 knots and seas of 7 – 9 feet. EXTENDED FORECAST: West-southwesterly winds of 12 – 16 knots and seas of 5 – 9 feet.

CENTRAL AFRICAN COAST/INDIAN OCEAN: South-southeasterly winds of 13 – 17 knots and seas of 5 – 7 feet. EXTENDED FORECAST: South-southeasterly winds of 16 – 20 knots and seas of 5 – 7 feet.

MOZAMBIQUE CHANNEL: South-southwesterly winds of 12 – 14 knots and seas of 7 – 9 feet in the northern channel; and southeasterly winds of 18 – 20 knots and seas of 10 -12 feet in the southern Channel. EXTENDED FORECAST: South-southeasterly winds of 10 – 12 knots and seas of 7 – 9 feet. In the northern Channel; and south-southeasterly winds of 10 – 12 knots and seas of 7 – 9 feet in the southern Channel.

SURFACE CURRENTS: The northern section of the Arabian Sea and the Mozambique Channel currents are variable with most areas having average speeds of less than 1 knot, except for an area at the mouth of the Mozambique Channel, where a current of 2 knots has been reported south of 10 degrees South. Water current speeds along the Somali basin average fewer than 2 knots with an area just north of 5 degrees North averaging above 4 knots. Currents in most of the Gulf of Aden are variable with an average speed of less than 1 knot, except for central Gulf where it is averaging 1 – 2 knots.

This report is brought to you by the U.S. Office of Naval Intelligence Maritime OPINTEL Report