Vintage

You know I really miss reading Real Pirates!, it gave a refreshing look at what piracy is all about and in reality it's neither romantic nor does it equal profit most of the time. It does make you wonder sonsidering some of the consequences you can face being a pirate why they even bother.

I did read an article in the local paper recently about a "retired" pirate living in Sabah, Malaysia and how the cycle of getting caught, bribing your way out, getting onto a boat so you can rob it later is a common practice. If I can find it ill put it up.

Until then read about the latest attempts around that part of the world as well at the number one contender for most dangerous waters in the world, Africa.

Weekly Piracy Report
8-14 January 2008

The following is a summary of the daily reports broadcast by the IMB's Piracy Reporting Centre to ships in Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Ocean Regions on the SafetyNET service of Inmarsat-C from 8 to 14 January 2008.

ALERT

Chittagong anchorage, Bangladesh
The number of attacks has reduced since 2006. However, the area is still listed as a high risk area and mariners are advised to be cautious especially while approaching the anchorage and while at anchor at Chittagong

Nigeria
Violent attacks carried out by pirates on board vessels at anchor and vessel carrying out STS operations. Mariners are advised to exercise extreme caution in these waters.

Suspicious crafts

Recently reported incidents

08.01.2008: 0055 LT: Tema anchorage, Ghana. Three robbers, armed with knives, boarded a chemical tanker via the forecastle. Duty A/B spotted the robbers who tried to catch him. Luckily, the A/B managed to escape. D/O raised the alarm, crew mustered and searched the area. It was found that the robbers had unscrewed all the butterfly nuts of the forecastle hatch. However, as the hatch was locked from inside the robbers could not enter the store. Nothing was stolen. Port control informed.

10.01.2008: 2155 LT: 01:05.6N-103:34.5E: Phillip Channel, Singapore Straits. At a distance of one nm, a small craft, with its searchlight on, started impeding the safe passage of a tanker underway. The vessel altered course to manoeuvre clear of the craft. At the same time, the crew noticed another, unlit, small craft near midships on the portside. The tanker enforced preventive measures and informed Singapore VTIS, who broadcast a security message to all ships in the area. A navy patrol boat arrived on the scene and patrolled the area. VTIS assured the tanker master that his vessel was being monitored continuously

07.01.2008: 0235 LT: No. 5, Beira, Mozambique. Duty seaman onboard a, berthed, chemical tanker noticed one robber on the forecastle deck. Duty officer informed, and crew alerted. When confronted, robber threatened the duty seaman with a knife. Noticing the alert crew the robber jumped into the water and escaped. Ship stores stolen. Port facility informed.

05.01.2008: 0556 LT: 16:59.8N - 082:26.7E, Kakinada roads, India. Seven robbers in a, 12 meter long, open boat approached a chemical tanker at anchor. One robber boarded the tanker using a grappling hook and rope via the poop deck. Duty A/B challenged him and informed OOW. Alarm raised and crew mustered. The robber climbed back into the waiting boat. Ship's property and stores stolen.

Piracy prone areas and warnings

Mariners are warned to be extra cautious and to take necessary precautionary measures when transiting the following areas:

S E Asia and the Indian Sub Continent

• Bangladesh : Sixty two incidents have been reported since January 2006. Pirates are targeting ships preparing to anchor. Most attacks reported at Chittagong anchorages and approaches. Although the number of attacks has fallen recently, the area is still listed as very high risk.
• Indonesia : Balongan, Balikpapan, Belawan. Generally be vigilant in other areas. Many attacks may have gone unreported.
• Malacca straits : Although the number of attacks has dropped due to the increase and constant patrols by the littoral states relevant Authorities since July 2005, ships are advised to continue maintaining a strict anti piracy watch when transiting the straits.
• Philippines : Manila - Pirates target ships at anchor.
• Singapore Straits : Pirates seen attacking ships while at anchor but in the past several ships were attacked while underway.

Africa and Red Sea

• Lagos (Nigeria) : Pirates are violent and have attacked and robbed vessels/kidnapped crews along the coast and river, at anchorages and ports. A total of 42 incidents have been reported in Nigeria since 08.01.2007. Twenty five attacks alone for Lagos and seven for Bonny River. Generally be vigilant in other areas in Nigeria.
• Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) : Twenty incidents have been reported since 05.06.2006. Pirates are targeting ships in port and anchorages.
• Mombasa (Kenya):
• Gulf of Aden / Red Sea : Numerous pirate attacks have been reported by ships and yachts in the Gulf of Aden/Red sea. In the past, some of the vessels were fired upon.
• Somalian waters : The IMB Piracy Reporting Centre has received 31 actual and attempted attacks in 2007. Many more attacks may have gone unreported. Some pirates are dangerous and would fire their automatic weapons at ships to stop them. Occasionally, they would use their RPG (Rocket Propelled Grenade) launchers at ships. Pirates are believed to be using “mother vessels” to launch attacks at very far distance from coast. These “mother vessel” is able to proceed to very far out to sea to launch smaller boats to attack and hijack passing ships. Eastern and Northeastern coasts are high risk areas for attacks and hijackings. Vessels not making scheduled calls to ports in Somalia should keep as far away as possible from the Somali coast, ideally more than 200 nautical miles. Mariners are also advised to report any suspicious boats to the Centre.

South and Central America and the Caribbean waters

• Brazil : Though the number of attacks has dropped in Santos, ships are advised to continue to be vigilant.
• Peru : Callao

Rest of the World

• Arabian Sea : Sightings and calls from suspicious small boats. In some cases, boats pursued the ships with unknown intent.