************ SafetyNET EGC safety message ************ * * Date: Nov. 24, 2000 UTC time: 00:45 Station ID: 328 * Sequence no. 12 NAV Warning to Rectangular Area * ************************************************* FROM IMBPCI MA31880 24-NOV-2000 00:32:03 MSG152778 SENTOSA C LES 24/00:01 UTC Nov 2000 SitRep Msg: 329/2000 This broadcast warns ships in passage in Africa, the Indian sub continent and south east Asian waters regarding Piracy and Armed Robbery against ships. Warnings (A) Increasing number of attacks have been reported in the Malacca straits between the coordinates Lat 01° to 02°N - 101° to 103°E. The most risky area is within 25 nm radius surrounding 02°N - 102°E, where the same armed gang of pirates seems to have repeatedly attacked ships. (B) 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. (C) Ships calling at Davao in the Philippines have reported men firing rocket propelled grenades at ships from 'banca' (small canoe with outriggers). During the last four weeks four ships have been subjected to such attacks. (D) Ships calling at Indonesian ports of Belawan, Jakarta, Merak, Samarinda and Tanjong Priok have reported numerous attacks whilst at berth and at anchor. (E) Persons in small fast boats have been trying to board several ships off Bab Al Mandeb in the southern tip of Red Sea, around 13°N - 43°E. Masters have reported that small boats wait at the northern end of traffic lane where ships slow down to make a turn. (F) 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 in these waters should be kept to a minimum. Suspicious Craft 14.11.2000 at 09:20 UTC in PSN: 11° 03'.6N - 062° 44'.0E, Arabian Sea. While underway, a boat (white hull) approached a container ship. When the ship altered course the boat crossed the ship's bow. The ship tried to communicate on VHF but the boat did not respond. Latest reported incidents 22.11.2000 at 02:30 UTC in PSN: 08° 49'N - 076° 13'E, India. Pirates in five speed boats boarded a barge which was under tow and stole spare parts. An hour later, pirates re-boarded but did not steal anything. 20.11.2000 in PSN: 01° 47'.42N - 102° 25'.3E, Malacca Straits. About twenty pirates boarded a tanker and took hostage Master, Ch. Eng. and Radio Officer. They ransacked the accommodation and stole USD 7,000 and personal effects from crew. Pirates left after 40 minutes in a speedboat towards Indonesian coast. 18.11.2000 at 01:30 LT at Panjang Pilot Station, Indonesia. About eight pirates from a small boat boarded a bulk carrier via forecastle and entered the Engine Room. They tied up an Oiler on duty, stole engine spares and escaped in their boat. 18.11.2000 at 21:56 LT in PSN: 01° 16'N - 104° 07'E, Singapore. A small unlit craft came alongside a tanker but was noticed by crew who switched on the aldis lamp. The attempted boarding was abandoned. 17.11.2000 in PSN: 22° 10'.2N - 091° 45'.9E, Chittagong, Bangladesh. Eight pirates in a boat approached the stern of a general cargo ship. One pirate boarded and stole ship's stores. When challenged by crew the pirate threatened the crew. 16.11.2000 at 14:00 UTC in PSN: 01° 06'N - 102° 09'E, Malacca Straits. Persons in four fishing boats came close to a multi purpose ship and tried to board. They aborted the attempted boarding seeing the alert crew. 12.11.2000 at Mongla, Bangladesh. While at anchor, four wooden boats each carrying about 5-6 pirates tried to board a general cargo ship. The ship's own anti-piracy watch and six shore guards prevented the boarding. However, the pirates stole zinc anodes welded to the hull. 16.11.2000 at 07:00 UTC at PSN: 04° 21'N - 049° 42'E, approx. 80 miles off Somalia coast. A suspicious supply boat / fishing trawler, chased a general cargo ship for two hours. The ship took evasive action until the chase was aborted. The suspicious boat had white accommodation and grey hull. 15.11.2000 at 11:15 UTC at Vott Veg Oil Terminal, jetty No. 3, Chittagong, Bangladesh. Pirates stole zinc anodes on rudder of a chemical tanker. The duty Engineer heard knocking sound at stern and alerted the crew. Pirates fled seeing the crew on deck. Theft took place although shore watchmen were stationed on the poop deck. 14.11.2000 at 10:40 LT at PSN: 08° 05'.79N - 077° 02'.56E, off cape Comorin, India. Four pirates on a wooden boat boarded a barge which was being towed by a ship. They stole emergency towing wire and fled at 11:05 LT when the alarm was raised. They tried to board the barge again at 11:55 hrs. 13.11.2000 at Anowra Thana, Bangladesh. According to local press reports, an Indonesian ship was attacked when the local agent refused to hand over 'toll' to the pirates. A number of persons on the ship were injured. A report was lodged with the local police who arrested three pirates. The ship was attacked again by another group of pirates a day later and goods worth millions of takas were looted. The pirates beat up the guards on board and one guard is in a critical condition. 13.11.2000 berthed at C.I.B. No. 2 Cilacap, Indonesia. Three pirates armed with knives boarded a tanker. They were spotted by anti-piracy watch who raised alarm. The pirates jumped over board and escaped in a small motorboat. 12.11.2000 at 12:20 LT at Tg. Priok anchorage, Indonesia. Five pirates armed with long knives boarded a chemical tanker and stole valuable engine spares. 09.11.2000 at 03:40 LT in PSN: 01° 46'N - 102° 27'E, Malacca Straits. 15 pirates from two speedboats boarded a container ship. They stole cash, documents, ship's property and crew's valuables. 09.11.2000 at 00:55 LT at Chennai outer anchorage, India. Six pirates boarded a bulk carrier. Duty crew observed them and raised alarm. Off duty crew joined the deck patrol and chased the pirates who fled in their boat. Advice to All Ships Extra caution is advised at all ports in Indonesia, Gelasa Str, Bangka Str, Berhala Str, Sunda Str, Malacca Str, Singapore Str, Phillip Chnl, Sprately Island, Chittagong Roads, Mongla anchorage, Colombo anchorage, Tuticorin Roads, Kandla, southern tip of Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, the Somali Coast and Nigerian ports. Ships are advised to maintain anti-piracy watches and report all piratical attacks or suspicious movements of craft to the IMB piracy reporting centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The centre can be contacted 24 hours, everyday. Anti-piracy help line: Tel: +60 3 201 0014, Fax: +60 3 238 5769, Telex: ma 31880 imbpci, E-Mail: ccskl@imbkl.po.my Warning - Missing Vessel - MV Draco MV Draco broke arrest and disappeared on the 14.10.2000 while at anchor under a court arrest at Colombo, Sri Lanka. The vessel was loaded with 5,500 MT of rice bound for Elman, Somalia and another 5,500 MT of potash feldspar bound for Turkey. It was reported that on 22.09.2000, water entered hold No. 1 following severe weather in the Indian Ocean and the vessel may require permanent repairs. Vessel's Description Name: Draco Ex-Name: Sea Champ, Knight after, Seven Daffodil, Georgia Merry, Sun Deneb. TYPE: Bulk Carrier FLAG: Cambodian BUILT: 1975/Japan IMO No: 7371367 Call Sign: XUSD3 GRT: 6941 DWT: 11994 LOA: 128.8 m BEAM: 19.6 m DEPTH: 10.5 m DRAFT: 8.3 m Grain: 14108 bale: 13747 holds/hatches: 3/3 Derricks: 1 x 20 tonnes swl, 3 x 15 tonnes swl Lifeboat: Open lifeboats Colour: hull - black (rusted), derrick - beige/yellow, Accommodation - White, Funnel: Dark blue (light blue at centre with alphabet 's' in white/red lining) The vessel could have changed her name, flag and particulars. All ships are requested to keep a lookout for this vessel and if sighted inform the piracy reporting centre immediately.