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ICC-CCS.ORG - THE WEEKLY PIRACY REPORT - REPORT SNIPPET - QUOTE:

http://www.icc-ccs.org/prc/piracyreport.php

Weekly Piracy Report
22-28 April 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 22 to 28 April 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

26.04.2008: 1045 LT: 14:30.5N - 051:55.1E, 50 nm off Yemen coast, Gulf of Aden.
Two suspicious speedboats, doing 20 kts, approached a general cargo ship underway. Master raised alarm, took evasive manoeuvres and crew activated fire hoses. At 1100 LT the boats aborted and fled towards Somalia.
Recently reported incidents

17.04.2008: 0455 LT: Apapa / Tin Can Island, Nigeria.
Ten robbers in two speedboats boarded a vessel berthed. They broke open the paint store and stole ship’s stores. Alarm raised and ship’s crew locked themselves inside the accommodation for own safety. Another group of robbers on motorcycles arrived near the vessel and the stolen ship’s stores were lowered. The two shore watchmen employed for security duties were missing during the incident and appeared once the robbers had gone. Authorities informed but no action taken.

22.04.2008: 1715 – 1855 LT: 06:41.00S-039:42.00E: 30 nm Off Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Eight robbers armed with long knives boarded an anchored container ship. They stole ship’s stores, broke open two containers and stole their contents. Robbers escaped once the alarm was raised. Local authorities informed.

22.04.2008: 0430 LT: Mumbai anchorage, India.
Four robbers in a motor boat attempted to board a research vessel at anchor. Attempt failed due to strict anti piracy watch.

22.04.2008: 0315 LT: Anchorage no. 1, Dar es Salaam anchorage, Tanzania.
Eight robbers armed with knives boarded a container ship at anchor. Before the watch keepers could contact and warn the bridge the robbers tied them up. The alarm was raised only when the chief officer could not contact the watch keepers. By then the robbers had stole contents from several containers. The robbers escaped when the alarm was raised. Port authorities informed.

21.04.2008: 2030 UTC: Vung Tau Song Go Gia STS anchorage, Vietnam.
Robbers boarded a tanker from the forecastle. They broke open the forward storeroom and stole ship’s stores. Duty crew spotted the robbers and raised the alarm. Foghorn sounded. Robbers escaped immediately. Later, a police patrol boarded for investigation. Anti piracy watch doubled up. No injuries to crew

21.04.2008: 11 miles off Bosaco, Somalia.
Pirates armed with guns opened fire on a general cargo ship underway. They hijacked the vessel and took the 16 crewmembers hostage. Local security forces raided the vessel and rescued the 16 crewmembers and ship. All crew safe. Some pirates were injured and captured

19.04.2008: 1452 UTC: 00:06.24S – 049:08.56E: Somalia.
Pirates armed with guns and grenade launchers attacked a fishing vessel and hijacked it to an unknown location. Pirates have taken 26 crewmembers hostage and are demanding a ransom for their safe release