Piracy Incident Report: Bangladesh

 

Piracy Incident Report: 467

Incident Type: Boarding
Area:Chittagong,  Bangladesh
Date of Incident: 22.06.2015
Time of Incident (LT):2145
Information Source: : IMB 

During heavy rainfall, the duty crew on-board an anchored container vessel noticed robbers attempting to enter the accommodation. He informed the OOW on the bridge, who raised the alarm and alerted the crew. The robbers chased the crew, before escaping with ship stores. One crew member slipped and injured himself. The Coast Guard were informed.

Allmode Comment:

This is the second incident within two days at this anchorage and in both cases ship’s stores were targeted. As stated in report 465, the robbers can be aggressive towards the crew and in this case, they actively confronted the crew which resulted in an injury. Once a vessel has alerted the crew to the presence of intruders, it is strongly advised for the crew to retreat to a safe room on-board the ship and allow the robbers to make their escape. Reinforcing the locks to the ship’s storeroom can prevent the robbers from accessing the stores and give the crew members time to inform the authorities and dissuade the robbers from staying on the vessel. Please contact Allmode for more information on training and security services info@allmode.org or visit our website www.allmode.org

Piracy Incident Report: 465

Incident Type: Boarding
Area:Chittagong B anchorage  Bangladesh
Date of Incident: 20.06.2015
Time of Incident (LT):0630
Information Source: : IMB 

 Three robbers armed with long knives, approached a container ship as it transited towards the anchor point. They were in a speed boat and managed to board the ship. The bridge duty officer informed the deck crew, who shouted at the robbers. Seeing the crew react, the robbers threw stolen ship’s properties into the waiting boat and escaped. The port authorities and coast guard were notified.

Allmode Comment:

Robberies are common from ships approaching the anchorage at Chittagong and the gangs tend to be armed and aggressive. The local authorities have made significant progress with patrolling the area, but make very few arrests and the prosecution of pirates is few and far between. The Bangladesh Coast Guard (BCG) is over-stretched and ill-equipped to deal effectively with the threat from piracy, which is well established in the region. Law enforcement officials are suspected of taking bribes from criminal gangs, gaining impunity from prosecution. Until these factors are addressed, the problem of piracy at these busy anchorages will not diminish and therefore all vessels entering the Bay of Bengal need to be well prepared and adequately trained.

Piracy Incident Report: 459

Incident Type: Boarding
Area:CUFL Jetty, Bangladesh
Date of Incident: 11.06.2015
Time of Incident (LT):0630
Information Source: : IMB  

 A Chief officer on-board a berthed chemical tanker noticed four robbers attempting to steal ship’s properties and raised the alarm. Once the robbers were aware they had been detected they escaped empty handed.

Allmode Comment: There continues to be incidents of petty theft across the Bay of Bengal, mostly in anchorages in and around Chittagong and unless improvements in deterrence and law enforcement interdiction are made it is unlikely to improve anytime soon. Vessels operating in and around the region should be aware that criminal gangs are known to be violent and, without arrest and prosecution, they will continue to operate with impunity, resulting in further injuries to mariners. If your vessel is boarded, crew are reminded to not put up any resistance. Raising the alarm and retreating to a safe location is the recommended course of action. For further advice on intelligence, passage planning and crew training contact Allmode at info@allmode.org

Piracy Incident Report: 444

Incident Type: Boarding
Area:3.7nm West of Patenga, Bangladesh
Position:22°15’N – 091°42’E 
Date of Incident: 01.06.2015
Time of Incident (LT):0120
Information Source: : IMB  

 On the 1st June 2015, five robbers armed with knives boarded an anchored bulk carrier using a rope ladder and tried to attack the crew watchmen. The vessels alarm was raised and crew mustered. Upon hearing the alarm, the robbers escaped with stolen ship’s properties.

Allmode Comment

Chittagong continues to see regular acts of robbery on vessels at anchor despite the increase in patrols taking place within this area. The Bangladeshi Coast Guard are known to be slow in their response; therefore all vessels should have their own protective measures in place to mitigate the risk of attack. Companies, CSO’s and Masters intending to trade to this port/area should be extremely cautious and evaluate the effectiveness of the security measures they currently have in place to prevent illegal boarding as well as conducting a full risk assessment prior to any voyage within the region to ensure you have a clear understanding of the current situation and the likelihood of an incident occurring. For further advice on intelligence, passage planning and crew training contact Allmode at info@allmode.org

 

Piracy Incident Report: 424

 Incident Type: Boarding
Area:Chittagong Outer Anchorage ‘B’, Bangladesh
Position: 22°12’N - 091°43’E
Date of Incident: 17/05/15
Time of Incident (LT):0240
Information Source: : IMB  

Piracy Incident Report: 423

 Incident Type: Boarding
Area:Around 7nm West of Kutubdia Island, Bangladesh
Position:21°46’ N - 091°42’E
Date of Incident: 16/05/15
Time of Incident (LT):0430
Information Source: : IMB 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Piracy Incident Report: 410

 Incident Type: Boarding
Area: Chittagong Outer Anchorage, Bangladesh
Position: 21°48’N - 091°42’E
Date of Incident: 05/05/15 
Time of Incident (LT):1958
Information Source: : IMB

Armed men boarded an anchored tanker and began arguing with the two shore watchmen. The Duty crew heard the raised voices and witnessed the men attacking the watchmen. A gun shot was heard and the crew immediately ran into the accommodation. The Alarm was raised, the ship’s whistle sounded and the crew mustered. Upon hearing the alarm, the men jumped overboard and escaped. Attempts were made to contact the port control, however they were unsuccessful. Upon investigation, it was found that the robbers had taken both watchmen hostage and tied them up before escaping with the ship’s stores.

Allmode comment
Chittagong continues to see regular instances of robbery on vessels at anchor. The Bangladeshi Coast Guard are known to be slow in their response; therefore all vessels should have their own protective measures in place to mitigate the risk of attack.
The perpetrators are normally armed and are notorious for using violence against crew members. Their modus operandi is commonly to overpower and often tie-up those who they encounter which has been seen in this incident. If your vessel is boarded, crew are reminded to not put up any resistance. Raising the alarm and retreating to a safe location is the recommended course of action.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Piracy Incident Report: 403

 Incident Type: Boarding
Area: Chittagong Penninsula, Bangladesh
Position: 22°11’N - 091°43’E
Date of Incident: 25/04/15 REPORTED LATE
Time of Incident (LT):2155
Information Source: : IMB

Four robbers in a boat approached and came alongside an anchored Container ship. One of the robbers, armed with a long knife boarded the ship and proceeded to steal ship’s stores, the duty crew noticed the robber and raised the alarm. The crew were mustered and rushed to the location, which resulted in the robber escaping with his accomplices in their boat, along with the stores. The Port Control and Coast Guard were informed, and the Coast Guard patrol boat came to investigation.

Allmode Comment: This is the third incident in two days and would suggest that a pirate gang is operating in this port. In all three incidents the pirates have been armed with long knives and have consisted of between three and six men. All incidents have also occurred in hours of darkness. Vessels using this anchorage must ensure they have good lighting around areas were access can be made and have a 24hr wandering deck patrol and if available CCTV 

 

 

Piracy Incident Report: 401

 Incident Type: Boarding
Area: Chittagong OPL, Bangladesh
Position: 22° 06’N - 091°45’E
Date of Incident: 25/04/15 REPORTED LATE
Time of Incident (LT): 0120
Information Source: : IMB

Six armed robbers boarded a Bulk Carrier whilst at anchor. The duty watchman raised the alarm, and the crew were mustered and the Port Control was informed. The robbers stole ship's property and made their escape. Later, the Coast Guard approached the vessel to investigation.

Allmode Comment: Bulk Carriers are particularly prone to boardings due to their low freeboard and should take extra precautions to make this area secure, such as razor wire and round the clock monitoring / watches. The ship’s stores and engine spares should be securely locked. Most pirate gangs in the region will be armed with long knives and can be very aggressive if approached. Preventing them boarding should be the main priority. Vessel hardening can migrate some of the risk from boarding’s.

 

  

Piracy Incident Report: 399

Incident Type: Boarding
Area: Chittagong Outer Anchorage ‘C’
Position: 22°07’N - 091°47’ E
Date of Incident: 24/04/15 REPORTED LATE
Time of Incident (LT): 0045
Information Source: : IMB

The Duty AB on-board an anchored Product Tanker spotted one small motor boat approaching from the starboard quarter. He raised the alarm and the crew were mustered on the bridge. Three armed robbers then boarded the tanker and stole the ship’s property and made their escape.

Allmode Comment: As it is the hot season in the Bay of Bengal, where rainfall is not too heavy, compared to the southwest monsoon (June – September), sea conditions are more favourable for small craft activity and it expected that attacks on vessels will continue until the monsoon season starts. Vessels will need to have all anti-piracy measures in place to prevent boardings. Anti-piracy crew training is essential.

 

 

Piracy Incident Report: 378

Incident Type: Boarding
Area: Chittagong Anchorage, Bangladesh. 
Position: 22°06’N - 091°44’E
Date of Incident: 21/03/2015
Time of Incident (LT): 2100
Information Source: : IMB 

Armed robbers boarded an anchored tug and stole the ship’s stores and properties. The alarm was raised and the crew mustered. As the crew approached the robbers, they retaliated with force, which resulted in the Master sustaining minor injuries. The robbers escaped with the stolen items in their boat. The Master then heaved up the anchor and sailed further away from the anchorage area.

Allmode Comment: Pirate gangs at this anchorage are known to act violently towards any crew that approach them. It is therefore not advisable to challenge the group, but to use ship’s horns and other alerting methods, to inform the group that they have been detected. Vigilant watch-keeping in the hours of darkness is necessary whilst at anchor in this region as a physical presence is often enough to deter these gangs from boarding as they do not want to be arrested by the authorities.