Modern-day Pirates in the Caribbean

[Hester]

Hi, all:

A few years ago, a friend's sister, who had a 42-foot sailboat, took a year off with her husband and young son, planning to sail from the Great Lakes all the way down to the Caribbean and back.

Well, they made it as far as Florida, and other sailors that they met along the way warned them strongly not to venture any further (at least not without some serious arsenal aboard and a large convoy to accompany them).

They were told that modern-day pirates (drug runners mostly) cruised the waters between Florida and the Caribbean islands, and that if they came across a lone, unprotected vessel, they would hijack it, kill the people and throw their bodies overboard, and then use the ship for smuggling.

My sister's friend turned her boat around and headed back home 6 months early.

However, one of my wilder dreams for when we retire is to buy a small ocean-worthy sailboat and cruise down the eastern seaboard into warmer climes.

So, my question is -- how real is this threat of modern-day piracy in the Caribbean? Was my friend's sister just paranoid and reacting to ill-informed scare-mongering, or did she do the wise thing?

Cheers, Hester

[blackjohn]

Go here: http://www.nga.mil/portal/site/maritime/

Select ASAM Search

Click Retrieve: by subregion

Select Subregion 11, or 25, 26, or 27

Hit Search.

[Hester]

Thanks, Blackjohn:

That was interesting reading! Lots of reports of small bands of knife-wielding "pirates" boarding large tankers or cargo ships and making off with petty items such as vegetables. How odd! They seem to flee as soon as they're spotted (even jumping into the sea in some cases). Poor things sound a bit desperate -- just hungry, not really malicious.

No reports of the ruthless AK-47 wielding murderers who hijack small sailing craft and turn them into floating drug mules (as my friend's sister feared) -- but then, there wouldn't be any survivors from such attacks to file a report on that website, would there?

Still left wondering if this is a serious threat or an urban [well, maritime] myth.

Cheers, Hester

[blackjohn]

Look through this...

02 Aug 06

.

                  OFFICE OF NAVAL INTELLIGENCE

                CIVIL MARITIME ANALYSIS DEPARTMENT

                  WORLDWIDE THREAT TO SHIPPING

                  MARINER WARNING INFORMATION

.

POC: DAVID PEARL:

COMM  (301) 669-4905

FAX  (301) 669-3247

E-mail  dpearl@nmic.navy.mil

.

CHARLES DRAGONETTE:

COMM  (301) 669-3261

FAX  (301) 669-3247

E-mail  cdragonette@nmic.navy.mil

.

1.  This message provides information on threat to and criminal

action against merchant shipping worldwide.

.

  A.  To aid in our reporting, please add the Office of Naval

Intelligence (ONI) as an information addressee when possible to

your normal corporate and organizational reporting requirements.

The ONI message address is ONI WASHINGTON DC//11// or, the ONI

Violence at Sea (VAS) desk may be contacted at commercial phone

(301) 669-4905 or via e-mail at dpearl@nmic.navy.mil.  Report

may also be made to the National Response Center (U. S. Coast

Guard) hotline: 1-800-424-0201 or the Maritime Administration

Office of Ship Operations, MAR-613, (202) 366-5735; FAX

(202) 366-3954, e-mail: opcentr1@marad.dot.gov.

.

  B.  This Worldwide Threat to Shipping Report is available weekly

to members of the Maritime Security Council via the MSCALERT.

For information on corporate membership in the Maritime Security

Council, contact Mr. Kim Petersen at mscalert@maritimesecurity.org

or visit the MSC website at www.maritimesecurity.org.  Message is

also posted at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency site

http://www.nga.mil/portal/site/maritime.

.

  C.  The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) also publishes a

weekly piracy summary, based on reporting from the IMB Piracy

Reporting Centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.  Each week's report is

published on Tuesday and may be accessed through

their web page www.iccwbo.org.

.

  D.  Anti-piracy and crime current developments:

.

      1.  INDONESIA:  The Indonesian Navy has arrested three former

separatist rebels for pirating ships carrying aid for tsunami

survivors in the country’s far-west Aceh province, per 26 Jul

reporting.  The three men, from two different groups, were caught

in the north Aceh city of Lhokseumawe on 18 Jul.  The weapons used

in the robberies should have been destroyed in line with a truce

between the Government of Indonesia and the Free Aceh Movement

(GAM) signed last August, prompting Indonesian authorities to

investigate how many more guns are still in the hands of former

GAM guerrillas (REUTERS).

.

      2.  INDONESIA:  The National Police will start building

mobile posts in five areas along the country next year to support

the Marine Police in fighting crimes such as illegal logging,

illegal fishing, and piracy, per 26 Jul reporting.  The mobile

posts are to be based along coastal areas in Tugu Batu, Riau;

Nunukan, East Kalimantan; Bitung, North Sulawesi; Sorong, Papua;

and Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara.  These posts will enable marine

police to reach crime scenes faster since they will not have to

wait for city police officers to deal with maritime crime (LM).

.

      3.  MEDITERRANEAN:  Per 28 Jul reporting, the NATO Shipping

Center (NCS) has activated to provide advice and guidance to NATO

nation merchant ships due too the recent incidents between Israel

and Hezbollah.  Until further notice, the NCS will be manned

continuously to proved better service for ship’s masters, owners

or managers.  The NCS will provide information to ships on the

following main communication media:

E-mail:  shippingcentre@manw.nato.int

NSC website: http://shipping.manw.nato.int

Direct email communication with ships taking part in Operation

ACTIVE ENDEAVOUR (OAE) voluntary reporting program.

Phone:  +44 1923 843574

Fax      +44 1923 843575

Since the area of concern coincides with the reporting area for OAE,

no additional reporting for ships will be established (MARAD)

.

      4.  SOMALIA:  According to 29 Jul reporting, Somali pirates

released the South Korean commercial fishing vessel (DONG WON 628)

along with its 25 crewmembers after being held for ransom since

early April.  Abdi Ilmi, an elder from the town of Haradere, told

a reporter the “illegal” fishermen were released after a fine of

$800,000 was paid.  Fighters loyal to the regional warlord Abdi

Mohamed Afweyne, who hijacked the vessel, confirmed the release. 

In other reporting, the product tanker (LIN I), which was hijacked

by Somali pirates at the end of March, has arrived safely, and

under its own power, at its home port of Fujairah, UAE on 01 Aug. 

ONI Comment:  As of 02 Aug, no vessels are reportedly being held

for ransom off the east central coast of Somalia.  The militia

loyal to Afweyne, who operate out of the small central eastern

coastal Somali town of Xarardheere (aka Haradera), were likely

responsible for several other successful and attempted merchant

vessel hijackings off the central eastern coast of Somalia.  No

attacks have been reported in this area since early April.  The

current political climate in Somalia, as well as multinational

efforts to combat piracy off the coast of Somalia, may present

an environment in which perceived risks outweigh perceived gains

with regards to attempts to hijack merchant vessels for ransom

off the east central coast of Somali.  However, the duration of

this current environment is unknown.  Foreign flagged commercial

fishing vessels operating within the 200 NM exclusive economic

zone of Somalia will continue to be at high risk of attack by

disgruntled local fishermen or militia members (LL, AFP, ONI).

.

      5.  MALAYSIA/INDONESIA:  Crew complicity is suspected in the

hijacking of the Malaysian tug (EASTERN PILLARS) and a barge back

in May, per 24 Jul reporting.  A representative of the vessel’s

owner explained the tug was scheduled to proceed from Malaysia’s

Bintulu to Lahad Datu in Sabah island to pick up scrap iron, but

was apparently diverted by the master and his three other crew

“accomplices”, all Indonesian, to Balikpapan waters in Indonesia’s

East Kalimantan province.  Five additional crew members, who were

from Myanmar, “escaped” from a hotel in Banjarmasin to the Myanmar

embassy in Jakarta.  These five individuals were flown back to

Sabah so that police could record their statements.  Indonesian

police have arrested local businessman Hariansyah Limantara, alias

Adut, who is said to have bought the tug.  The tug and barge have

been recovered, but the whereabouts of the Indonesian crew members

are not known (FP).

.

      6.  BANGLADESH:  According to 17 Jul reporting, 3,000 members

of the Coast Guard and Navy have launched a massive joint operation

to capture pirates in the Bay of Bengal in the wake of increasing

criminal activity.  Some 17 naval vessels along with Coast Guard

and naval forces are participating in the joint operation.  The

offshore police station and outposts have been kept on alert so

that the pirates can not take shelter in offshore areas.  Points

in Bangladesh identified as pirate infested are as follows:

Dublarchar, Kochikhai, Akram Point, Tentulia, Kuakata, Khepupara,

and Amtala (LM).

.

      7.  NIGERIA:  President of the Nigerian Trawler Owners

Association (NITOA) expressed concern about pirate attacks against

their vessels per 12 Jul reporting.  Speaking at a dinner organized

by the association for media executives in Lagos, the NITOA

president explained pirate attacks at sea were ravaging Nigeria’s

fisheries sector and that most of the vessels have been tied down

at jetties due to the menace of pirates.  According to NITOA’s

president, the pirates cart away money, personal effects, and

equipment during each attack, and that the association has lost

crew members on occasion.  Despite the piracy threat, the greatest

challenge to the industry was the high cost of diesel and NITOA’s

president commended the federal government for forming a national

security committee to address the issue of piracy (LM).

.

  E.  Source codes:  Information contained in this report is

derived through direct reporting and analysis of reports of other

agencies and commercial sources.  Source codes will be added to

new reports to enable users requiring more detail to make contact.

Codes currently in use are:

.

      AFP, Agence France Presse

      AP, Associated Press

      BBC, BBC News

      BIMCO, Baltic and International Maritime Council, Denmark

      DHS, U. S. Department of Homeland Security

      DOJ, U. S. Department of Justice

      DOT, U. S. Department of Transportation

      FP, Fairplay, London

      GP, Greenpeace

      IMB, International Maritime Bureau, London and Kuala Lumpur

      IMO, International Maritime Organization, London

      INFO, Informa Group, formerly LLP, Llp Limited, London

      LAT, Latitud38.com website

      LL, Lloyd's List, daily, London

      LM, local media

      MARAD, Maritime Administration, US

      MSC, Maritime Security Council, US

      NATO, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Brussels

      NGA, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, Navigation

          Safety System

      ONI, Office of Naval Intelligence analysis and comment

      Operator, owner or operator of affected vessel

      OSAC, Overseas Security Advisory Council

      USCG, United States Coast Guard

      RAN, Royal Australian Navy

      REUTERS, Reuters

      RNZN, Royal New Zealand Navy

      STATE, U. S. Department of State

      TW, Tradewinds

.

2.  Designation of a high threat area is based on an assessment of

all source information relating to the existence of, or potential

for piracy and other crime, terrorism, civil unrest or low

intensity conflict.  Every effort is made to ensure that incidents

are not double-counted.  In the event double counting is detected

or an event is later learned not to be as initially reported, an

explanation of the cancellation of the inaccurate report will be

made in at least one message prior to dropping the erroneous

report.  Specific incidents will be reported for one month.

.

3.  This week's highlights:

.

  A.  Indonesian Navy arrests former separatist rebels suspected to

        be involved in robbery of UN World Food Program landing

        craft (Para 1.D.1.).

.

  B.  Indonesia’s National Police to start building mobile posts along

        coastal areas to support the Marine Police (Para 1.D.2.).

.

  C.  NATO Shipping Center activated to support merchant shipping

        in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea (Para 1.D.3.).

.

  D.  Last vessel held by Somali pirates released 29 Jul

        (Para 1.D.4.).

.

  E.  Yacht boarded, crew assaulted, robbed 18 Jun, outside Rodney

      Bay Marina, Saint Lucia (Para 5.B.1.).

.

  F.  Containership boarded and robbed 30 Jul, Chittagong outer

        anchorage ’b’, Bangladesh (Para 5.H.1.).

.

  G.  Tanker reported three attempted boardings 28 Jul,

        Chittagong outer anchorage ’b’, Bangladesh (Para 5.H.2.).

.

  H.  Two fishing boats attacked, four crewmembers kidnapped 27 Jul,

        67 nm from Langkawi, Strait of Malacca (Para 5.K.1.).

.

  I.  Tanker boarded and robbed 26 Jul, Belawan anchorage,

      Indonesia (Para 5.K.2.).

.

  A.  NORTH AMERICA:

      1.  No current incidents to report.

  B.  CENTRAL AMERICA-CARIBBEAN:

      1.  Yacht boarded, crew assaulted, robbed 18 Jun, outside Rodney

          Bay Marina, Saint Lucia (reported 02 Aug).

  C.  SOUTH AMERICA:

      1.  Containership boarded, robbed 07 Jul, Punta Guanta

            anchorage, Venezuela.

      2.  LPG tanker boarded, robbed 04 Jul, Texaco berth, Guyana.

      3.  Containership reported attempted boarding 04 Jul at Santos

          anchorage no. 3, Brazil.

  D.  ATLANTIC OCEAN AREA:

      1.  No current incidents to report.

  E.  NORTHERN EUROPE-BALTIC:

      1.  No current incidents to report.

  F.  MEDITERRANEAN-BLACK SEA:

      1.  General cargo vessel (MOON LIGHT) struck by a probable

          missile 14 Jul, approximately 35km off the coast of

          Lebanon.

      2.  Israel launches total naval blockade of Lebanese ports

          per 13 Jul reporting. 

      3.  Haifa Port authority ordered to evacuate all vessels from

            the port on16 Jul by the Home Front Command, Israel.

      4.  Fishing vessel taken over by illegal immigrants 40 miles

          off Maltese coast 07 Jul.

      5.  Bulgarian ferry boarded and robbed 09 Jul, Danube River,

          Galatz port, Romania.

  G.  WEST AFRICA:

      1.  Bulk carrier boarded and robbed 24 Jul, Pointe Noir,

          Congo.

      2.  Containership boarded and robbed 21 Jul, Luanda Bay

          Anchorage, Angola.

      3.  Containership boarded 16 Jul, Luanda anchorage, Angola.

      4.  Eleven supply boats attacked by militants 12 Jul, Nigerian

          oil delta region.

      5.  Bulk carrier boarded and robbed 01 Jul, Bonaberi berth no 52,

          cement berth, Douala port, Cameroon.

  H.  INDIAN OCEAN-EAST AFRICA:

      1.  Containership boarded and robbed 30 Jul, Chittagong outer

          anchorage ’b’, Bangladesh.

      2.  Tanker reported three attempted boardings 28 Jul,

          Chittagong outer anchorage ’b’, Bangladesh.

      3.  Tanker boarded and robbed 23 Jul, Chittagong Alfa

          anchorage, Bangladesh.

      4.  Containership reported two suspicious craft 09 Jul, Gulf of

          Aden.

  I.  RED SEA:

      1.  No current incidents to report.

  J.  PERSIAN GULF:

      1.  No current incidents to report.

  K.  SOUTH EAST ASIA:

      1.  Two fishing boats attacked, four crewmembers kidnapped

            27 Jul, 67 nm from Langkawi, Strait of Malacca.

      2.  Tanker boarded and robbed 26 Jul, Belawan anchorage,

          Indonesia.

      3.  Tug boarded 18 Jul, Telok Banten, Merak, Indonesia.

      4.  Tug boarded and robbed 15 Jul while enroute to Batam from

          Merak, Indonesia.

      5.  Bulk carrier reported attempted boarding 13 Jul, 105nm

          south of Java Island, Indonesia, Indian Ocean.

      6.  Bulk Carrier (ISLAND OASIS) reported attempted boarding

          03 Jul, Strait of Malacca.

      7.  Landing craft boarded and robbed 02 Jul at Langsa, north

          Sumatra, Indonesia.

      8.  Landing craft boarded and robbed 02 Jul while enroute

          from Belawan to Lhokseumawe, Indonesia.

  L.  NORTH ASIA: 

      1.  No current incidents to report.

  M.  PACIFIC OCEAN AREA: 

      1.  No current incidents to report.

  N.  ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC NON-STATE ACTIVIST GROUPS:

      1.  No current incidents to report.

.

5.  DETAILS:  There is reported active violence against shipping,

a credible threat to shipping, or the potential to develop into a

direct threat to the safety of shipping in the following areas:

.

  A.  NORTH AMERICA:  No current incidents to report.

.

  B.  CENTRAL AMERICA-CARIBBEAN: 

.

      1.  SAINT. LUCIA:  Yacht boarded, crew assaulted and robbed

18 Jun while moored outside Rodney Bay Marina (reported 02 Aug).

Perpetrators swam from shore to the yacht.  The male crewmember

was severely beaten and the female crewmember was raped. 

Perpetrators attempted to swim back to shore with a laptop and

Camera, but discarded them into the water after the items got wet.

Reportedly, three men are under arrest and have confessed to the

crime (LM).

.

  C.  SOUTH AMERICA:

.

      1.  VENEZUELA:  Containership boarded, robbed 07 Jul at 2345

local time while at Punta Guanta anchorage.  Robbers boarded the

vessel and stole cargo from two containers.  Master informed

authorities (IMB).

.

      2.  GUYANA:  LPG tanker boarded, robbed 04 Jul at 1450 UTC

while preparing to depart from Texaco berth.  One robber boarded

the vessel and stole ship’s equipment.  Perpetrator escaped

in a motorboat that was waiting with four accomplices (IMB).

.

      3.  BRAZIL:  Containership reported attempted boarding 04 Jul

at 0430 UTC while anchored at Santos anchorage no. 3.  Two robbers

attempted to board the vessel via the anchor chain.  Alert crew

raised alarm and boarding was averted.  Port control informed (IMB).

.

  D.  ATLANTIC OCEAN AREA:  No current incidents to report.

.

  E.  NORTHERN EUROPE-BALTIC:  No current incidents to report.

.

  F.  MEDITERRANEAN-BLACK SEA:

.

      1.  EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN:  General cargo vessel (MOON LIGHT)

was struck by a probable missile 14 Jul while underway

approximately 35km off the coast of Lebanon.  All 12 crewmembers,

one with serious injuries, were rescued by a nearby merchant

vessel owned by the same company.  Reporting speculates

the vessel was inadvertently hit during an attempt by Hezbollah to

hit Israeli naval vessels blockading their coast.  According to

media reports, Israeli sources claim a radar guided missile

with a range of 60 miles (100km) was what was fired at the

vessels.  Due to the potential for collateral damage of this nature,

merchant vessel operators in the Eastern Mediterranean report being

advised not to come within 50 NM of the Lebanese coast as of 15

July 0500 UTC (REUTERS, AP, FP, LM, OPERATOR)

.

      2.  LEBANON:  On 13 Jul at 1108Z, NGA issued broadcast

warning HYDROLANT 1308/2006 stating navigation is prohibited until

further notice in the area between 34:05N to33:06N and between

034:00E to the Lebanese coastline due to an Israeli naval

blockade.  On 17 Jul, an operator in the area reported the northern

most latitude of the blockade boundary was raised to 034:38N. 

Israeli Navy ships will not allow entry to or exit from this area. 

On 21 Jul, Israel opened up its blockade of Lebanon’s ports to

allow shiploads of aid to arrive.  Navigation remains prohibited

in the defined area for vessels not involved in aid shipments or

evacuation efforts (AP, NGA, OPERATOR).

.

      3.  ISRAEL:  Haifa Port authority was ordered to evacuate all

vessels from the port on16 Jul by the Home Front Command.  The

instruction was issued in wake of the rocket barrage that hit the

city in the morning, killing eight people and injuring dozens. 

Haifa Port’s operations deputy director explained most of the

vessels are now anchored in the harbor and that the port was not

crowded so it did not take long to implement the decree.  In wake

of the port’s evacuation, the Ashdod port has started preparing for

large-scale absorption of cargo and passenger ships.  According to

a press report from 14 Jul, ships carrying hazardous materials to

Haifa Port have been barred from entry due to fears that they

could be hit by Katyusha rockets fired from Lebanon.  Additionally,

on 17 Jul at 1740Z, NGA issued broadcast warning HYDROLANT 1343/2006

stating that until further notice, all vessel bound for the port of

Haifa are required to approach the Israeli coast on an easterly

course, south of latitude 32:40N, thence along the coastal route

in a northerly direction and enter Haifa bay from the south.  Ships

leaving Haifa bay should follow a similar route until 50 miles off

the Israeli coast (NGA, LL, LM).

.

      4.  MALTA:  Italian fishing vessel reportedly taken over by

illegal immigrants 07 Jul while 40 miles off the Maltese coast. 

Twenty-five illegal immigrants asked for assistance from the

fishing vessel after the boat they were traveling on came to a

standstill.  In an effort to assist, the crew of the fishing vessel

allowed the stranded immigrants to come onboard.  However,

once on the fishing vessel, the immigrants ordered the captain to

sail the vessel to Italy (LM). 

.

      5.  ROMANIA:  Bulgarian ferry boarded and robbed 09 Jul,

Danube River, Galatz port.  During a passport review, when

the crew and passengers had to leave the vessel, thieves came

aboard and broke the windows of two cars and stole money,

cloths, and a dog.  The ferry routinely sails from the Bulgarian

Ruse to the Ukrainian port of Reni.  According to passengers

who usually travel that route, such attacks are not rare.  The

crew speculates the thieves could be listening to their radio

channels when they report what the ferry is carrying and stated

this was 21st century piracy (LM).

.

  G.  WEST AFRICA: 

.

      1.  CONGO:  Bulk carrier boarded and robbed 24 Jul at 0200

local time while anchored 1.5 nm off the breakwater, Pointe Noir.

Robbers boarded the vessel at the anchor by using hooks.  They

stole ship’s stores and escaped (IMB).

.

      2.  ANGOLA:  Containership boarded and robbed 21 Jul at 0205

local time while anchored in position 08:45.9S 013:16.6E, Luanda

Bay Anchorage.  One robber boarded the vessel, broke forward store

padlock, and stole ships stores.  Ship’s motion sensors sent signal

to duty officer  who then raised the alarm and the crew mustered. 

Robber jumped into a waiting boat and escaped.  Master was unable

to contact port control (IMB).

.

      3.  ANGOLA: Containership boarded 16 Jul at 0225 local time

while at Luanda anchorage.  Four robbers in a wooden boat, armed

with knives, boarded the vessel at forecastle.  They threatened a

crewmember with knives and broke open paint store padlock.  The

crewmember escaped, raised the alarm, and crew mustered.  Robbers

jumped into their boat and left empty handed.  Local authorities

informed (IMB).

.

      4.  NIGERIA:  Eleven supply boats attacked by militants 12 Jul,

oil delta region.  A convoy of 11 vessels carrying supplies to

Chevron’s offshore oil fields came under attack by militants.  Four

Nigerian naval sailors escorting the convoy was were killed in the

attack (AP).

.

      5.  CAMEROON:  Bulk carrier boarded and robbed 01 Jul at 0330

local time while at Bonaberi berth no 52, cement berth, Douala

port.  Three armed robbers boarded the vessel and threatened a

crewman with knives.  They stole ship’s stores and escaped.  Port

control and harbor police were informed (IMB)

.

  H.  INDIAN OCEAN-EAST AFRICA:

.

      1.  BANGLADESH:  Containership boarded and robbed 30 Jul at

2115 local time while at, Chittagong outer anchorage ’b’.  Three

robbers, armed with knives, boarded the vessel at the stern and

stole ship’s stores.  Alert crew raised alarm and robbers jumped

overboard and escaped (IMB)

.

      2.  BANGLADESH:  Tanker reported three attempted boardings

28 Jul, while at Chittagong outer anchorage ’b’.  Three robbers

boarded a tanker using long poles with hooks.  Alert crew activated

fire hoses and repelled boarders.  Master reported this was the

third attack that night (IMB).

.

      3.  BANGLADESH:  Tanker boarded and robbed 23 Jul at 0015

local time while at Chittagong Alfa anchorage.  Ten robbers, armed

with long knives, boarded the vessel at forecastle, attacked the

shore watchman, and tied him up.  Duty officer raised alarm, crew

mustered, and robbers jumped into the water, escaping with one

lifebuoy.  Port control and coastguard informed (IMB).

.

      4.  GULF OF ADEN:  Containership reported two suspicious

craft 09 Jul at 0750 UTC while underway in position 12:28N 045:10E.

Two 10m turquoise colored speedboats, manned with three persons

each, followed the containership.  Ship increased speed, raised

alarm, crew mustered and informed ships in vicinity via VHF.  After

10 minutes, boats moved away (IMB).

.

  I.  RED SEA:  No current incidents to report

.

  J.  PERSIAN GULF:  No current incidents to report.

.

  K.  SOUTH EAST ASIA:

.

      1.  STRAIT OF MALACCA:  Two fishing boats attacked, three

Thai crewmembers kidnapped 27 Jul at approximately 0100 local time,

67 nm from Langkawi.  Five armed pirates on a fishing boat stopped

the two Malaysian registered fishing boats and attacked them. 

Pirates are demanding a ransom of RM144,000 from the owners for

the release of the crew.  It is believed that the pirates are

holding the fishermen on an island off Langkawi.  Malaysian and

Thai police have launched a joint search for the fisherman and the

Indonesian police were also notified of the incident (IMB). 

.

      2.  INDONESIA:  Tanker boarded and robbed 26 Jul at 0200

local time while at Belawan anchorage.  Three robbers, armed with

long knives, boarded the vessel at forecastle and stole ship’s

stores.  All crew chased robbers who jumped into the water and

escaped in a boat that was waiting with five accomplices (IMB). 

.

      3.  INDONESIA:  Tug boarded 18 Jul at 0345 local time while

at Telok Banten, Merak.  Four armed robbers boarded the tug at

anchor.  Alert crew mustered and robbers left empty handed (IMB).

.

      4.  INDONESIA:  Tug boarded and robbed 15 Jul at 1200 local

time while underway in position 05:16.00S 106:07.80E, enroute to

Batam from Merak.  Six pirates, armed with pistols, approached the

tug, which was towing a barge.  Four pirates boarded the tug and

assaulted the crew causing injuries.  They stole the crew’s

belongings and ship’s equipment before escaping in their speedboat

(IMB).

.

      5.  INDIAN OCEAN:  Bulk carrier reported attempted boarding

13 Jul at 1020 UTC in position 10:12S 112:15E, 105nm south of

Java Island, Indonesia.  Six boats (two with white hulls and four

with black hulls) approached the vessel from the stern.  Each boat

had five masked persons dressed in black cloths.  Boats came close

to the stern so alert crew mustered and master altered the vessel’s

course.  Small boats then moved away.  ONI Comment: The location,

distance from shore, time of day, and large number of vessels and

persons involved is not typical of piracy and maritime armed crime

reporting for this area and warrants further attention (IMB,

ONI).

.

      6.  STRAIT OF MALACCA:  Bulk carrier (ISLAND OASIS) reported

attempted boarding 2105 UTC while underway in position 05:17.0N

098:01.5E.  Duty officer observed a vessel on radar trailing their

ship at a standoff of 6km for 20 minutes.  When the suspicious

vessel accelerated toward their ship, the alarm was sounded and

the ship’s searchlights and fire hoses were activated.  The 10m

long blue hulled speedboat reportedly contained at least 8 to 10

suspected pirates, armed with what looked like guns and long

knives, and came within 2m of the stern at the port side during

the 5 minute chase.  Noticing crew’s alertness, pirates aborted

the chase (IMB, LM).

.

      7.  INDONESIA:  Landing craft boarded and robbed 02 Jul

while underway near Langsa, north Sumatra.  Pirates stole cash and

personal belongings from the crew and escaped, no crew injured.  The

landing craft was under UN charter carrying tsunami relief cargo

(IMB, LL, BBC).

.

      8.  INDONESIA:  Landing craft boarded and robbed 02 Jul at

2145 local time while underway enroute from Belawan to Lhokseumawe.

Pirates stole ship’s equipment and escaped, no crew injured.  After

the robbery, an unknown vessel reportedly continued to follow the

landing craft until the following day. The landing craft was under

UN charter carrying tsunami relief cargo (IMB, LL, BBC).

.

  L.  NORTH ASIA:  No current incidents to report.

.

  M.  PACIFIC-ANTARCTIC OCEAN:  No current incidents to report.

.

  N.  ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC NON-STATE ACTIVIST GROUPS:  No

current incidents to repot

.

6.  Originator of this WWTTS report requests consumer feedback.

Originator will incorporate all anti-shipping events and violence

against the maritime industry into this weekly message where

appropriate.  The Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) can be

contacted via message traffic at ONI WASHINGTON DC//11// or, the

ONI violence at sea (VAS) desk may be contacted at comm. phone

(301) 669-4905 or via e-mail at dpearl@nmic.navy.mil.

//

[blackjohn]

Never mind, that's not as helpful as I first thought. Look here, see if there are any standing warnings to shipping in the Caribbean.

http://www.marad.dot.gov/headlines/advisories.html

[Hester]

Never mind, that's not as helpful as I first thought.

No, Blackjohn, it is helpful. For instance, there's this report that refers to a small private boat of the type I had in mind:

B.  CENTRAL AMERICA-CARIBBEAN: 

.

      1.  SAINT. LUCIA:  Yacht boarded, crew assaulted and robbed

18 Jun while moored outside Rodney Bay Marina (reported 02 Aug).

Perpetrators swam from shore to the yacht.  The male crewmember

was severely beaten and the female crewmember was raped. 

Perpetrators attempted to swim back to shore with a laptop and

Camera, but discarded them into the water after the items got wet.

Reportedly, three men are under arrest and have confessed to the

crime (LM).

I noticed that incident when I went through the NGA site as well. Sounds very nasty. I would never have thought that you'd have to worry about rapists swimming aboard when you're moored in port!

Thanks for the info sources!

Cheers, Hester

[Captain Jim]

Pirates exist, but they are easily discouraged. A few precautions and you will have no problems. A few tricks:

Tacks or roofing nails strewn about the deck. Most boarders are barefoot. Don't you step on them.

A dog. Small and yappy will do, large and toothy is better.

Shock treatment. Use electric fence tape or rope on your lifelines. Turn off when on deck yourself. A simple switch next to the companionway.

Subtrifuge. Change clothes (or just your hat) and pop up in various hatches to make the bad guys think that there are more of you than there are.

Post an anchor watch. One of you will have to be awake all night. Take turns (watches).

More subtrifuge. Put a dummy (no, not your husband) in the cockpit to do anchor watch duty with you. Or by himself.

Leave lights on on deck, and recorded conversation piped to a deck-mounted speaker. Just record some usual activity, like dinner or singing to a Buffett album and then set your player to loop it over and over. The longer the loop the better.

Guns. Last defense, huge headaches with the locals. Makes a mess of the boat, too.

The whole idea is not to be boarded at all. If you look strong and active onboard, that is usually enough to make the bad guys look elsewhere.

Lastly, someone will be assulted by real-life pirates. It just doesn't have to be you if you look stronger than the next guy.

But by all means, go. You cannot let fear rob you of life.

[Hester]

Hey Capt. Jim:

Thanks for those suggestions! I'll keep them in mind if (when!) we get a boat.

Post an anchor watch. One of you will have to be awake all night. Take turns (watches).

So much for romance at sea!

Guns. Last defense, huge headaches with the locals. Makes a mess of the boat, too.

Yeah, I'm Canadian so I'm pretty much gun-shy. ... Except, I could see myself toting a blunderbuss!

Cheers, Hester

[The Doctor]

Hester, you have to boil it down to this: what would Red Green do?

[Hester]

Hester, you have to boil it down to this: what would Red Green do?

Of course -- set an anti-pirate trap made of duct tape!

Cheers, H.

[Butch Cannon]

Most often when u hear bout a pirate attack these days their more to the far east region then the caribbean. A great deal of illegal korean immigrants have been know to turn to piracy if citizenship to the U.S. is not granted.

And as u heard before, pirates now-a-days are more like hungery knife wieldin scavengers.

.......cannon rules!

[Duchess]

While I don't have any personal experience sailing in the Carribean, I do know some folks who have.

From sitting around various yacht clubs and ports drinking and telling stories. It seems to break down like this; the threat, while real, is pretty minimal.

and the drug runners are much more likely to attempt to buy (for cash of course) your boat while in port. I've met several people who received offers of this sort. But none of the people I've ever met have been hijacked or attacked.

[John_Flint]

Hester, you have to boil it down to this: what would Red Green do? 

Of course -- set an anti-pirate trap made of duct tape!

Cheers, H.

Wow, Cool! someone else who's heard of Red Green...

[Hester]

Wow, Cool! someone else who's heard of Red Green...

M'dear, I'm Canadian. Red Green is a spot-on parody of most of my male relatives. My father-in-law actually got stopped at airport customs for having duct tape in his carry-on luggage ['struth!].

Cheers, H.

["Bloody" Bill Marley]

I like ta think tha if an when I get me own ship, I'd rip tha arse offa any scavvy modern day "pirate" what tries to filch a real pirate's vessel. Cutlasses, cannons, an anythin else happenin ta be on hand prove to mighty mighty powerful argumentation.