18 May 05 . OFFICE OF NAVAL INTELLIGENCE CIVIL MARITIME ANALYSIS DEPARTMENT WORLDWIDE THREAT TO SHIPPING MARINER WARNING INFORMATION . POC: CHARLES DRAGONETTE: COMM (301) 669-3261 FAX (301) 669-3247 E-mail cdragonette@nmic.navy.mil . DAVID PEARL: COMM (301) 669-4905 FAX (301) 669-3247 E-mail dpearl@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) 669-3261 or via e-mail at cdragonette@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://pollux.nss.nima.mil/onit/onit_j_main.html. . 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. STRAITS OF MALACCA: A 28 Apr Singapore press report states Indonesia and Singapore have agreed to step up efforts to protect the pirate infested Straits of Malacca through coordinated joint patrols of the waterways. Both sides have agreed to reaffirm their commitment to improve the safety of the waterway that borders Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia. A 26 Apr Malaysian press report states the Malaysian Navy wants all merchant ships that pass through the Straits of Malacca to use channel 6 to safeguard themselves from pirate attacks. A Malaysian Navy public relations officer explained the channel is to facilitate communications of merchant ships when entering the Straits of Malacca. He goes on to explain vessels need to provide their location to make monitoring easier for the military and that the use of channel 6 had been negotiated with the Singaporean and Indonesian military (LM). . 2. ASIA: The first four countries have signed the Japanese led Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP) per 04 May message. Singapore, Cambodia, and Laos joined Japan last week in signing the ReCAAP agreement. The ReCAAP plans to establish and operate an Information Sharing Center, to be located in Singapore, with the goal of facilitating communication and information exchanges between the member countries, as well as improve the quality of statistics and reports on piracy and armed robbery against ships in the region. The ReCAAP agreement also seeks to enhance capabilities of member countries to combat piracy and will enter into force 90 days after the 10th country signs up (LL). . 3. STRAITS OF MALACCA: Press report describes a private security firm providing armed escorts through the Straits of Malacca, 08 Apr. The Singapore based Background Asia Risk Solutions has its own armor plated vessel that accompanies boats anywhere between Sri Lanka and the South China Sea for around 50,000 US dollars a mission. The firm was established nine months ago and reports having provided 12 escort missions. The firm's boat has yet to engage in any combat with pirates but states they have warned off several suspicious vessels by using loud hailers, flares, and spotlights (INFO). In a 27 Apr message, the Malaysian director of Internal Security and Public Order announced that any private security companies wishing to operate in Malaysian waters must obtain the necessary permit from the Ministry of Internal Security. The Director said directives have been issued to all Malaysian Marine Police commanders to detain armed escort boats and arrest their crew members if they were to encroach into Malaysian waters (INFO). A different message dated 27 Apr announced the newly established Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) will be operational in June. The MMEA will patrol the Malaysian coastline to keep it free of threats from pirates and terrorists, and to deter smuggling, human trafficking, environmental pollution, illegal fishing, and also help in search and rescue. It is expected to take up to five years before the MMEA is to be effective on its own, so in the meantime, the Malaysian Navy and other maritime agencies will assist (INFO). Indonesia also publicly opposes the use of private security firms providing armed escort service to merchant vessels in the Straits of Malacca per 29 Apr message (REUTERS). . 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: . 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 INTELL, Intellibridge Latitude 38, 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 . 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. Ship hijacked 10 Apr off Somalia freed 28 Apr per 5 May report (Para 5.H.2.). . B. Cargo ship approached and 'bumped' 13 May, Strait of Malacca (Para 5.K.2.). . C. Tanker boarded, robbed 14 May, Dumai, Indonesia (Para 5.K.3.). . 4. Contents and summary of threat areas detailed in paragraph 5. . A. NORTH AMERICA: 1. No current incidents to report. B. CENTRAL AMERICA-CARIBBEAN: 1. Bulk carrier boarded 05 May, Port Au Prince, Haiti. 2. Refrigerated cargo ship boarded, robbed 28 Apr, Port Au Prince, Haiti. C. SOUTH AMERICA: 1. No current incidents to report. 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. No current incidents to report. G. WEST AFRICA: 1. Chemical tanker boarded, attempted robbery 02 May, Lagos anchorage, Nigeria. H. INDIAN OCEAN-EAST AFRICA: 1. Container ship boarded 09 May, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. 2. Ship hijacked 10 Apr off Somalia freed 28 Apr per 5 May report. 3. RO/RO vessel boarded 10 May, Chennai anchorage, India. 4. Barge boarded, robbed 30 Apr, SW coast of India. 5. Tanker approached, attempted boarding 05 May, 60NM SSW of Chittagong, Bangladesh. 6. Fishing trawlers attacked 23 Apr, Majherchar, Bangladesh. I. RED SEA: 1. No current incidents to report. J. PERSIAN GULF: 1. Offshore supply ship reported suspicious distress calls 27 Apr, Oman. 2. Unidentified bulk carrier boarded, robbed 22 Apr, Umm Qasr anchorage, Iraq. K. SOUTH EAST ASIA: 1. Fishing vessel boarded, robbed, pirates arrested 30 Apr, Andaman Sea off Thailand. 2. Cargo ship approached and 'bumped' 13 May, Strait of Malacca. 3. Container ship approached 24 Apr, Strait of Malacca. 4. Tanker boarded, robbed 14 May, Dumai, Indonesia. 5. Tanker boarded, robbed 10 May, Jakarta, Indonesia. 6. Bulk carrier boarded 04 May, Makassar Straits, Indonesia. 7. Tanker approached, attempted boarding 04 May, Makassar Straits. 8. Vessel approached, boarded 03 May, Tg. Priok outer roads, Indonesia. 9. General cargo ship approached 30 Apr, Makassar Straits, Indonesia. 10. Container ship boarded 30 Apr, Bangka Straits, Indonesia. 11. Bulk carrier boarded, robbed 29 Apr, Taboneo anchorage, Banjarmasin, Indonesia. 12. Tanker boarded 23 Apr, Belawan anchorage, Indonesia 13. General cargo ship hijacked 22 Apr, off Lingga Islands, Indonesia; unloaded cargo in Pasir Gudang port, Malaysia; then released in Indonesian waters 25 Apr. 14. Vessel hijacked 24 Apr, Malaysia, pirates captured. 15. Tug approached 30 Apr, South China Sea. 16. Bulk carrier attempted boarding 25 Apr, South China Sea. 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. Crab fishermen form blockade 25 Apr, St. John's harbor, Newfoundland, Canada. . 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: No current incidents to report. . 1. HAITI: An unidentified bulk carrier was boarded 05 May at 0135 local time while at Port Au Prince anchorage. Duty officer raised alarm after robbers, armed with long knives, boarded the vessel. Robbers escaped empty handed (IMB). . 2. HAITI: An unidentified refrigerated cargo ship was boarded 28 Apr in the evening while at Port Au Prince anchorage. Robbers, armed with long knives, stole ships stores and escaped. Earlier on 27 Apr, robbers boarded another vessel and stole ship's Stores (IMB). . C. SOUTH AMERICA: No current incidents to report. . D. ATLANTIC OCEAN AREA: No current incidents to report. . E. NORTHERN EUROPE-BALTIC: No current incidents to report . F. MEDITERRANEAN-BLACK SEA: No current incidents to report. . G. WEST AFRICA: . 1. NIGERIA: An unidentified chemical tanker was boarded 02 May at 0215 local time during STS cargo operations at Lagos anchorage. Two robbers, armed with knives, threatened the duty officer, tied his hands and legs and gagged his mouth. The robbers tried to break into storerooms but did not succeed and left empty handed (IMB). . H. INDIAN OCEAN-EAST AFRICA: . 1. TANZANIA: An unidentified container ship was boarded 09 May at 0445 local time while at anchor in Dar Es Salaam. Duty officer raised alarm after robbers boarded the vessel. Robbers jumped overboard and escaped in a boat (IMB). . 2. SOMALIA: The unidentified ship boarded and hijacked 10 Apr at 1200 UTC while underway in position 00:50S, 047:36E, off the eastern coast of Somalia was freed 28 Apr according to 5 May reports. The ship, an LPG tanker proceeding empty to its next load port, was lured into the Somali coast by an apparent deceptive distress flare and then surrounded by a fleet of small boats. There is some confusion as to how far to sea the hijacking occurred with accounts giving the initial encounter as for out as 135nm. The ship was forced to anchor close offshore while ransom talks were begun with the owners who refuse to be named. A U.S. naval vessel stood by during the incident, but was not reported involved in the ransom talks. Unspecified ransom demands are understood to have been met and the 17 crew were released unharmed while the hijackers returned ashore unmolested (Fairplay, IMB). . 3. INDIA: An unidentified RO/RO vessel was boarded 10 May at 0430 UTC in position 13:05.7N, 080.21.0E, Chennai anchorage, India. Five robbers boarded at the stern and attempted to steal ship's stores. Alert crew raised alarm and robbers escaped empty handed in their boat. Port control and police informed (IMB). . 4. INDIA: An unidentified barge was boarded 30 Apr at 1230 local time while under tow in position 08:07.24N, 076:43.33E, off Trivandrum, SW coast of India. Two robbers stole stores. Earlier, four robbers in a boat made two attempts to board at 0630 and 0930 local time (IMB). . 5. BANGLADESH: An unidentified tanker was approached 05 May at 2320 local time while underway in position 21:16N, 091:31E, 60 NM SSW of Chittagong. One fishing boat came close to starboard quarter and persons inside attempted to board. Master took evasive action and boarding was averted (IMB). . 6. BANGLADESH: Eleven fishing trawlers were attacked 23 Apr in Majherchar in Borhanuddin upazila in the Meghna estuary. At least eleven fishermen were injured during the attack. Police and fishermen report that over 50 fishing trawlers have been looted, 15 trawlers hijacked, and at least 100 fishermen injured in such attacks over the past month. The recent increase in attacks corresponds to the approaching fishing season. Sources state the pirates mainly belong to two rival gangs (INFO). . I. RED SEA: No current incidents to report. . J. PERSIAN GULF: . 1. OMAN: An unidentified offshore supply vessel received distress calls 27 Apr at 1945 local time while underway in position 21:57.7N, 060:26.9E from a fishing vessel claiming there was a "crash". Master proceeded to reported position and found no men in the water upon arrival at the scene. Ship received another distress call and proceeded towards that position about 3nm away. Master suspected something amiss during conversations with the "skipper" of the fishing vessel and felt this was a trap. Ship moved away from the area at full speed and warned vessels in the area on VHF (IMB). . 2. IRAQ: An unidentified bulk carrier was boarded 22 Apr at 2350 local time in position 29:37N, 048:45.7E, Umm Qasr anchorage. Three robbers, armed with guns and a knife boarded the vessel using hooks attached to ropes. They took several crewmembers hostage, assaulted them, and demanded money. They took crew one by one to their cabins and stole cash and personal belongings. They also stole money from the ship's safe and master's personal belongings. They disembarked in a 5m long wooden boat waiting with an accomplice. Master reported incident to coalition warships in the area (IMB). Port authorities at Umm Qasr confirmed security has been tightened up due to recent looting incident per 27 Apr message (LL). . K. SOUTH EAST ASIA: . 1. . ANDAMAN SEA: Thai F/V (RATTANAKORN 5) was boarded, robbed, but rescued by authorities 30 Apr while fishing off the southern town of Satun, Thailand. Five men, armed with two M-16s, three AK-47s and 1,200 rounds, boarded the fishing vessel, but not before the crew could get off a distress call to the Thai Navy. The Thai Navy boarded the vessel and arrested the pirates without incident, rescuing the 17 Thai crewmen. Thai authorities suspect the arrested pirates could be involved with the rebellion in Ache, Indonesia and is working with the Indonesian embassy to identify them (REUTERS, LM, INFO). . 2. STRAIT OF MALACCA: An unidentified general cargo ship reports being approached 13 May at 0110 local time while underway in position 05:13N, 098:06E by an unlit 7m boat carrying armed persons. The duty officer undertook evasive maneuvers but the boat contacted the ship's hull on port side causing some damage. The duty officer sounded ship's whistle and tried to contact the boat on VHF ch 16 without response, but no boarding took place (IMB). . 3. STRAIT OF MALACCA: An unidentified container ship was approached 24 Apr at 1050 local time while underway in position 02:48.56N, 101:03.0E. A speedboat approached the container ship and altered course to port but then suddenly increased speed and headed for the ship. Master raised alarm and crew mustered. The approaching boat reduced speed and moved away. The speedboat was 7 to 8 meters in length, white hull, one dark outboard motor, dark sunroof, and had four to six persons wearing dark clothes (IMB). . 4. INDONESIA: An unidentified tanker was boarded 14 May at 0215 local time while at Dumai anchorage. Three robbers armed with knives gained access at the poop and entered the engine room. Duty crew raised alarm but the robbers escaped with ship's stores (IMB). . 5. INDONESIA: An unidentified tanker was boarded 10 May at 0850 local time while at anchor in Jakarta. Six robbers boarded the tanker from two fishing boats. They broke into aft locker and stole ships equipment. Robbers escaped in an easterly direction. Port authorities informed (IMB). . 6. INDONESIA: An unidentified bulk carrier was boarded 04 May at 2025 UTC while underway in position 01:46.3S, 117:07.2E, Makassar Straits. A speedboat with five individuals came along side the vessel and one pirate boarded using hooks attached to a rope. Duty officer sounded ships whistle, crew mustered and activated fire hoses. Pirate jumped overboard and escaped (IMB). . 7. INDONESIA: An unidentified tanker reported an attempted boarding 04 May at 2255 local time while underway in position 01:23.07S, 117:06.57E, Makassar Straits. Pirates in a six meter blue and black hull colored speedboat attempted to board the tanker at the stern. Master raised alarm and took evasive maneuvers. Pirates followed the vessel for 15 minutes before moving away (IMB). . 8. INDONESIA: An unidentified vessel was approached 03 May at 0700 local time while anchored at Tg. Priok outer roads. Six boats approached the vessel. Six robbers, armed with steel bars, boarded the vessel from two of the boats. Two other boats remained nearby while the remaining two boats approached another ship in the vicinity. Alert crew mustered and robbers left empty handed. Attempts to contact port authorities and patrol boats by VHF received no response. . 9. INDONESIA: An unidentified general cargo ship was approached 30 Apr at 2300 local time while underway in position 00:24S, 118:12E, Makassar Staits. Master raised alarm after detecting three unlit fishing boats approaching his vessel. Crew mustered and directed searchlights. Fishing boats broke away after 35 minutes (IMB). . 10. INDONESIA: An unidentified container ship was boarded 30 Apr at 2030 local time while underway in position 02:49.70S, 105:54.90E, Bangka Straits. Six robbers, armed with long knives and guns, fled empty handed after master raised alarm, switched on deck lights, and mustered the crew (IMB). . 11. INDONESIA: Unidentified bulk carrier boarded, robbed 29 Apr at 0315 local time at Taboneo anchorage, Banjarmasin, Indonesia. Two robbers, armed with knives, boarded at forecastle. They broke into forepeak locker, stole ship's stores, and were about to lower them into a boat waiting with two accomplices. Alert crew challenged robbers, duty officer raised alarm, and crew mustered. Robbers jumped overboard and escaped (IMB). . 12. INDONESIA: An unidentified tanker was boarded 23 Apr at 1950 UTC while at Belawan anchorage. One robber, armed with a long knife, boarded a tanker at forecastle while another robber climbed up the anchor chain. Duty seaman challenged the robbers and raised alarm. Robbers jumped overboard and escaped in a speedboat waiting with two additional accomplices. Port authorities were informed (IMB). . 13. INDONESIA: An unidentified general cargo ship was boarded 22 Apr at 0500 while underway in position 00:27.1S, 105:09.0E, off Lingga Islands. Pirates, armed with guns, then ordered the crew to sail the tin-laden ship to Pasir Gudang port, in Malaysia's southern Jahor state. The vessel docked in Pasir Gudang port for two days while the crew unloaded the tin into a warehouse under threat of being killed if they didn't cooperate. On 25 Apr, the pirates ordered the ship back to Indonesian waters and escaped in a speedboat, leaving the crew uninjured. After the incident was reported, authorities checked the warehouse and found the cargo of tin intact; investigation continues. ONI NOTE: This incident appears to represent a return to a form of piracy not reported since China's crackdown on Black Market activity, wherein a ship is targeted for seizure at its load port and the cargo is taken to some destination where arrangements for disposal have already been concluded. The complexity of the operation suggests transnational players at the ship selection and cargo-disposal ends of the operation. Crew and ship owner complicity cannot be ruled out, since they have no immediate financial interest in the cargo, per se (IMB, LL, ONI, REUTERS). . 14. MALAYSIA: The vessels (BAHAR XXVII) and (BAHAR 11), possibly tugs or a tug and a barge, were taken by force 24 Apr at 0100 local time while operating in the Malacca Strait. Twelve pirates, armed with sharp weapons and a homemade firearm, demanded the masters surrender their ship's documents. The pirates then dropped the crew off on Karas Island. One master used his cell phone to notify the vessel's owners, who then notified the Batam police, and the authorities began a search of the area. The hijacked vessels were later found, and seven of the 12 pirates were captured. The (BAHAR 11)'s name was already painted over and changed. The authorities stated the pirates are part of an international ship piracy syndicate and that the boats would have been taken to Thailand. ONI NOTE: Reporting of a similar nature describes seven pirates, suspected of being part of a group responsible for several robberies on merchant and fishing vessels in the Johore waters (including M/T (KYOSEI MARU)), were arrested on 21 Apr at 1930 local time. The authorities also confiscated a 200 horsepower fiber glass boat along with seven masks, six parangs, a satellite phone, a pair of binoculars, raffia twine, and various currencies. These arrests may be the same incident reported with an erroneous date (INFO, LL, REUTERS, ONI) . 15. SOUTH CHINA SEA: An unidentified tug was approached 30 Apr at 2300 local time while underway towing a manned crane barge in position 08:22.7N, 107:14.2E. Two small unlit high speed craft approached tug. One craft disappeared from radar screen but the other stayed within 700 meters at port side. Later, the craft passed stern of barge and proceeded north (IMB). . 16. SOUTH CHINA SEA: An unidentified bulk carrier was approached 25 Apr at 0315 local time while underway in position 07:15.4N, 108:20.4E. Persons in two fishing boats attempted to board the carrier by tying ropes to ship's side. Attempt foiled (IMB). . 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: . 1. NEWFOUNDLAND CRAB FISHERMEN: Crab fishermen blocked entry to the port of St. John's harbor 26 and 27 Apr, Newfoundland, Canada. Fishermen are upset over a two-year pilot project proposed by fisheries authorities where crab prices will be determined by an independent audit firm, and the amount of raw material producers can process will be capped. Transport Canada is monitoring the situation and broadcasting warnings to fishermen informing them they could be prosecuted for violating shipping regulations. President of the Fish, Food, and Allied Workers Union said the fisherman's resolve is strong (INFO). . 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) 669-3261 or via e-mail at cdragonette@nmic.navy.mil. //