*** EGC:  964 2006/01/27 00:12:29 SAFETY *** FROM IMBPCI MA34199 27-JAN-2006 00:10:21 MSG572669 SENTOSA C LES 270001 utc jan 2006 sitrep msg p020/2006 this broadcast warns ships in passage in east africa, the indian sub continent and south east asian waters regarding piracy and armed robbery. warning warning warning somalia � ne and eastern coast 36 incidents have been reported since 15.03.2005. heavily armed pirates are now attacking ships further away from the coast. ships not making scheduled callas at somalia ports are advised to keep at least 200 nm from the somali coast. refer to our sitrep msg p017 and p018/2006 about the incident on 22.01.2006 in position 02:48n � 048:36e, off east coast somalia. despite a message from the master that his ship was hijacked, this Is not the case. two local somali local militia, with the knowledge of the ship owner, had boarded the ship to discuss provision of security against pirate attacks. a us naval ship in the area came to scene and obtained permission to send a boarding team at 0531utc on 24.01.2006. their investigation found that the master became nervous with the presence of two somali persons onboard and transmitted a message saying that his ship was being hijacked. part (i) no new incident added since report 226.01.2006 part (ii) recently reported incidents 25.01.2006 at 0152 utc in position 13:27.6n � 042:59.0e, southern red sea. an unlit speedboat chased a container ship underway. boat increased speed to 35 knots and came within 1.5 nm. ship altered course and crew directed search lights. craft reduced speed and aborted chase. 21.01.2006 at 1810 utc in position 15:50n � 041:45e, southern red sea. persons in several speedboats attempted to board a hopper dredger underway. d/o raised alarm, crew mustered and directed searchlights and speedboats moved away. 20.01.2006 at 0700 lt in position 05:25.1n � 052:34.6e, 213nm east of somali coast. two speedboats, operating from a mother ship chased a bulk carrier underway. one boat had three men with machine guns and the other had two men. they opened fire aiming for the bridge. boats came close to ship and person inside attempted to board. ship increased speed and took evasive manoeuvres. later boats stopped chase and returned to mother ship. 17.01.2006 at 0245 lt at tg. bara anchorage, indonesia. three robbers boarded a bulk carrier they threatened a watchman with a knife and took him as a hostage. when watchman did not respond to calls on walkie talkie, duty officer raised alarm and crew mustered. robbers jumped overboard and escaped with ship�s stores- port authorities informed. 14.01.2006 at racha yas island, off phuket, thailand. robbers hijacked a yacht at anchor. subsequently it was located on 19.01.2006. part (iii) piracy prone areas and warnings bangladesh: chittagong at berth and anchorage. india: chennai, kandla indonesia: anambas/natuna island, balikpapan, belawan, dumai, gaspar/bar/leplia str, Jakarta (tg.priok), pulau laut, vicinity of bintan island malacca straits: avoid anchoring along the indonesian coast of the straits. coast near aceh has been particularly risky for hijackings. singapore straits gulf of aden / southern red sea somalian waters � eastern and northeastern coast are high-risk areas for hijackings. ships not making scheduled calls to ports in these areas should stay away from the coast. part (iv): reporting of incidents important notice � change of telex number effective 0001 utc, 22 august 2005, the imb prc telex number ma 31880 has been changed to ma 34199. ships are advice to maintain anti-piracy watches and report all piratical attacks and suspicious movements of craft to the imb piracy reporting centre, kuala lumpur, malaysia. the centre can be contacted 24 hours, everyday on our anti piracy help line: Tel:+603 2031 0014, fax:+603 2078 5769, telex: ma 34199 imbpci, e-mail: piracy at imbpiracy.org |