During Aug 6-12, 2019, one CAT 21 and two CAT 42 incidents of armed robbery against ship were reported to the ReCAAP ISC.
The CAT 2 incident occured on board a chemical tanker while underway waiting for pilot at approximately 5 nm north of Tanjung Priok, Jakarta, Indonesia. Six perpetrators armed with knives boarded the tanker and assaulted the Chief Engineer. The alarm was raised and the perpetrators escaped empty-handed.
The two CAT 4 incidents occurred to tug boats towing barges while underway in the Singapore Strait. Both incidents occurred south of Tanjung Piai, Johor, Malaysia and involved perpetrators who boarded the barges from small boats. They escaped after stealing some scrap metal from the barges.
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 as demonstrated by the abduction of 9 crew3 on 18 Jun 19, the ReCAAP ISC reiterates its advisory issued via the ReCAAP ISC Incident Alert dated 21 Nov 16 to all ships to reroute from the area, where possible. Otherwise, ship masters and crew are strongly urged to exercise extra vigilance while transiting the area, and report immediately 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 ship master 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: [email protected]
