Weekly Piracy Report 10 - 16 July 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 from 10 - 16 July 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

16.07.2001 at 1530 UTC at Chittagong Roads, Bangladesh. While at anchor, two pirates boarded a tanker from a speedboat and stole three mooring ropes. Coast guard informed.

14.07.2001 at 1800 LT in position 02:05.7N - 109:31E, 10 nm off Tg. Datu lighthouse, Indonesia. While underway, pirates from an Indonesian fishing boat boarded a general cargo ship and threatened to hijack her. The master paid cash to the pirates and they left the ship at 2000 LT on 15.07.2001. The ship continued her passage to Port Klang.

12.07.2001 at 1815 UTC in position 13:05.8N - 080:20.5E at Chennai anchorage, India. Five pirates in an unlit green motorboat came alongside a container ship. Three pirates armed with knives boarded during heavy rain. Vigilant anti-piracy watch spotted the pirates and raised the alarm. Pirates chased a crewmember with a long knife before jumping overboard, taking ship's equipment with them. Port control was informed and police boarded to investigate at 1850 UTC. The same ship was boarded by pirates on 10.07.2001 as described below.

12.07.2001 at 2145 LT at Belawan anchorage, Indonesia. Six persons armed with big knives tried to board a chemical tanker via the anchor chain. Anti piracy watch spotted them and raised the alarm. Would be intruders fled when the crew threw hand flares at them.

10.07.2001 at 0700 UTC in position: 13:05.7N - 080:20.5E, at Chennai anchorage, India. Seven pirates in a motorboat approached a container ship. Four pirates boarded the ship. Anti piracy watch raised the alarm. The pirates jumped overboard and escaped.

07.07.2001 Tanjung Balai Karimun waters, Indonesia. While underway, pirates hijacked a tanker and took hostage her eleven crewmembers. On 12.07.2001 the Indonesian authorities located the tanker at Cirebon port in central java. All eleven crewmembers are safe onboard. Authorities are investigating the incident.

Suspicious craft 12.07.2001 at 1125 UTC in position 04:19N - 001:14W, 45 nm south of Ghana coast, Ghana. While underway, a boat with five persons inside approached a chemical tanker. When the master altered course the boat followed the tanker. The boat, a mechanised craft with sail moved away.

11.07.2001 at 1800 UTC in position 08:00N - 120:00E, Sulu Sea, Philippines. Whilst underway, three unlit speedboats approached a bulk carrier. Duty officer observed one of the boats near stbd bow. He switched on deck lights and altered course. The boats moved away.

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 Aceh is particularly risky. Pirates recently boarded a vessel carrying out engine repairs and kidnapped the master of a tanker who is being held ashore for ransom.

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 3 238 5763 Fax ++60 3 238 5769 Telex MA 31880 IMBPCI 24 Hours Anti Piracy HELPLINE Tel : ++ 60 3 201 0014 http://www.iccwbo.org/ccs/imb_piracy/weekly_piracy_report.asp

-- Rich Marsh (marshr@airmail.net), July 18, 2001