Weekly Piracy Report 31 July - 6 August 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 31 July - 6 August 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 03.08.2001 at 0050 LT at Belawan port, Indonesia. While at anchor, six pirates boarded a tanker, assaulted the watchman and threatened him with a knife. The pirates tied him up, stole his valuables and ship's stores from the forecastle locker. When alarm was raised, the pirates jumped overboard and were picked up by their boat. All attempts to contact port control and coast guard failed

02.08.2001 at 1200-1500 LT in position: 14:55N - 119:45E, Philippines. While underway, between hours about 7-9 speed boats circled a general cargo ship and ordered her to stop. The pirates threatened the crew with objects which looked like bombs. The master raised the alarm, mustered crew on deck and primed high-pressure fire hoses. As a result, the boats aborted their attempt and retreated. 01.08.2001 at 0030 LT in position: 22:12.4N - 091:41.3E at Chittagong, Bangladesh. While at anchor, about six pirates in a motorboat came alongside a container ship from the stern and attempted to board her. Crew spotted them, directed the searchlights at the boat, and chased them away. No boarding took place

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 it seems the same armed gang of pirates has repeatedly attacked ships. Ships are advised to avoid anchoring along the Indonesian coast of the Malacca straits unless it is for urgent operational reasons. The coast near Aceh is particularly risky. Pirates recently boarded a vessel on which engine repairs were being made, they 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 2078 5763 Fax ++ 60 3 2078 5769 Telex MA 31880 IMBPCI 24 Hours Anti Piracy HELPLINE Tel : ++ 60 3 2031 0014 E-mail ccskl@imbkl.po.my

-- Rich Marsh (marshr@airmail.net), August 08, 2001