Piracy Warnings - The Most Dangerous Waters

Boating and Sailing News 10 Apr

In light of the recent pirate attack and taking of hostages on the yacht Le Ponant, we thought it a wise time to warn our YachtPals of the dangerous waters we sometimes sail. Although most places in the world are relatively safe, and free of pirate attacks, there are currently some big problem areas we need to warn mariners about.

-- Piracy Prone Areas and Warnings --

Highest Risk Areas for Piracy Attack in 2008 Include:

Nigeria
India
Indonesia
Tanzania
Peru

Mariners are warned by the IMB to be extra cautious and to take necessary precautionary measures when transiting the following areas:

-- S E Asia and the Indian Sub Continent --

Bangladesh : Sixty two incidents have been reported since January 2006. Pirates are targeting ships preparing to anchor. Most attacks reported at Chittagong anchorages and approaches. Although the number of attacks has fallen recently, the area is still listed as very high risk.
Indonesia : Balongan, Balikpapan, Belawan. Generally be vigilant in other areas. Many attacks may have gone unreported.
Malacca straits : Although the number of attacks has dropped due to the increase and constant patrols by the littoral states relevant Authorities since July 2005, ships are advised to continue maintaining a strict anti piracy watch when transiting the straits.
Philippines : Manila - Pirates target ships at anchor.
Singapore Straits : Pirates seen attacking ships while at anchor but in the past several ships were attacked while underway.

-- Africa and Red Sea --

Lagos (Nigeria) : Pirates are violent and have attacked and robbed vessels/kidnapped crews along the coast and river, at anchorages and ports. A total of 42 incidents have been reported in Nigeria since 08.01.2007. Twenty five attacks alone for Lagos and seven for Bonny River. Generally be vigilant in other areas in Nigeria.
Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) : Twenty incidents have been reported since 05.06.2006. Pirates are targeting ships in port and anchorages.
Mombasa (Kenya)
Gulf of Aden / Red Sea : Numerous pirate attacks have been reported by ships and yachts in the Gulf of Aden/Red sea. In the past, some of the vessels were fired upon.
Nigeria : Violent attack, on anti piracy watch keeping crew, reported by vessel at anchor. Masters advised to brief their crews on the risks associated with patrolling the decks at night and impress upon the crew the need to be vigilant and report anything suspicious. Keeping in mind hours of rest Masters should consider increasing the number of watch keepers to the maximum available, thus enabling them to work in pairs.
Somalian waters : The IMB Piracy Reporting Centre has received 31 actual and attempted attacks in 2007. Many more attacks may have gone unreported. Some pirates are dangerous and would fire their automatic weapons at ships to stop them. Occasionally, they would use their RPG (Rocket Propelled Grenade) launchers at ships. Pirates are believed to be using “mother vessels” to launch attacks at very far distance from coast. These “mother vessel” is able to proceed to very far out to sea to launch smaller boats to attack and hijack passing ships. Eastern and Northeastern coasts are high risk areas for attacks and hijackings. Vessels not making scheduled calls to ports in Somalia should keep as far away as possible from the Somali coast, ideally more than 200 nautical miles. Mariners are also advised to report any suspicious boats to the Centre. Masters advised to exercise caution while proceeding to render assistance to dhows / fishing boats while approaching / transiting the Somalia coast. Reports received have indicated vessels as far as 390 nm from the Somali coast are called up by drifting dhows / fishing boats requesting assistance.

-- Arabian Sea --

Arabian Sea : Sightings and calls from suspicious small boats. In some cases, boats pursued the ships with unknown intent.

-- South and Central America and the Caribbean waters --

Brazil : Though the number of attacks has dropped in Santos, ships are advised to continue to be vigilant.
Peru : Callao

pirate attacks anti-piracy forces

Indonesian forces practicing for operations against pirates - Getty Images

Piracy Map - Pirate Attacks in 2008

Submitted By YachtPals on 10 Apr

Piracy, pirates, real pirates, piracy alert, piracy warning, pirate, sailing pirates, boats, boat, saiboats, yachts, sailboat

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Piracy in Mexico

On April 11th, 2008 Kevin says:

There was what appeared to be a pirate attack on an elderly singlehander along the Southern Pacific Coast of Mexico. It was an isolated event, but the danger exists. Guns and ammo are illegal on vessels in Mexico. But a 12 gauge phosphorus flare can be a big deterent if it is warranted. There are strength in numbers and don't look like easy pickings. Don't flash cash when you are ashore. Whether you are affluent or not, you will appear to be by the fact that you have a sailing vessel in foreign waters.

You are particularly vulnerable in the border areas of Mexico, due to the concentration of illegal activity including drug running and illegal immigration.

Do not accept offers for crew, unless you have requested it and the crew has known reliable references. Be cautious of fishing pangas with more than two crew members. Water taxis look similar to pangas and will have one skipper and a mixed group of passengers and travel only from port to village and back, they are never off shore. Be cautious of any vessel approaching you at high speed. You can also check the USCG site for updates and the US Department of State for travel alerts.

There is really not much to worry about cruising in Mexico, but you should always be vigilant whereever you sail.

Piracy Alerts

On April 18th, 2008 YachtPals says:

PIRACY ALERTS from the IMB for April 8-14 2008

South China Sea
Two vessels were boarded a few hours apart in the vicinity of LAT: 03:13N - LONG: 105:26E, off the Indonesian Island, Mangkai, in the South China Sea. Ships transiting through this area are advised to be cautious and maintain a vigilant anti piracy watch.

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.

-- Recently reported incidents --

06.04.2008: 2000 UTC: 05:17.7N – 004:43.03E: Nigeria.
An unlit speedboat approached a tanker from the stern. Alarm raised and SSAS alarm activated. The speedboat Fired warning shots from automatic weapons and left. No injuries to crew or any damage to ship suffered.

13.04.2008: 0205 LT: 03:13N – 105:26E, Off Pulau Mangkai, Indonesia
12 pirates, in a speedboat, armed with guns, swords and iron bars approached a bulk carrier underway. Master raised alarm, crew directed fire hoses and SSAS activated. Pirates boarded the ship and stole crew personal belongings, ship's cash and property. After 50 minutes, they left the ship. No injuries to crew except minor bruises. Ships in vicinity alerted.

13.04.2008: 0355 LT: 03:16.18N - 105:26.68E, off Pulau Mangkai, Indonesia.
Pirates armed with long knives in a speedboat boarded a product tanker underway. They stole crew personal belongings and ship's property and escaped. No injuries.

12.04.2008: 0511 UTC: 14:33.6N - 050:32.2E, Gulf of Aden.
Two suspicious crafts doing 17 knots approached a container ship underway. Master took evasive manoeuvres and increased speed to outrun the crafts. Both crafts had six to seven persons onboard. No weapons sighted. There were several other small boats in the vicinity; however, there was no indication that these boats were associated with the two suspect crafts.

09.04.2008: 1720 UTC: 13:57.5N – 051:13.1E: Gulf of Aden.
A general cargo ship, underway, noticed a target on the radar at a range of 6nm. When 4nm off, the boat switched off her lights altered course and headed towards the general cargo ship. As the ship altered course to increase the CPA, the suspicious boat kept altering course to get closer. The ship switched off its navigation and all other lights to take cover in the darkness. At a range of 2nm, the boat aborted. At a distance of 6nm the ship switched on it’s navigational lights and resumed her original course.

08.04.2008: 0247 LT: Dar es Salaam anchorage no. 6, Tanzania.
Anti piracy watchman sighted one robber near the boson store, on a container ship at anchor. On sighting the watchman, the robber jumped overboard and escaped in a waiting boat. Alarm raised. Investigations indicated duty watch keepers had abandoned their stations to look into a noise they had heard, allowing the robber to access the ship unnoticed. Ship’s stores were found stolen.

08.04.2008: 0700UTC: 14:30N-051:52E: Gulf of Aden.
Suspicious boats approached and circled a tanker underway three times in 20 minutes. At first, one boat circled the vessel. In the second and third instance, four boats circled the vessel. The master increased speed, took evasive manoeuvres and enforced effective measures to prevent suspicious boats from closing in.

07.04.2008: 0900 LT: 15:06N-052:55E: Gulf of Aden.
One fishing boat approached a vessel underway. The boats showed white flags and asked for food. Ship activated fire hoses. After 30 minutes, the boats left.

01.04.2008: 14:30N – 049:10E:75nm South of Mukalla port: Gulf of Aden.
Pirates armed with guns attacked and hijacked a fishing vessel and sailed into Somali territorial waters. The fishing vessel, along with its 34 crew was released when a military helicopter intervened.

31.03.2008: 12:10N-052:10E: Abd Al-Kuri Island, Gulf of Aden.
Pirates armed with guns attacked and boarded a fishing vessel. They shot and injured the master on his left shoulder, stole three zodiac boats and escaped into Somali waters.

Piracy Alert - Somalia

On April 22nd, 2008 YachtPals says:

April 22 - Security forces in northern Somalia stormed the hijacked ship al-Khaleej today, rescuing hostages and arresting seven pirates.

The Dubai-flagged ship al-Khaleej, which was carrying food through Somalia, originated from the United Arab Emirates. The ship was seized by the pirates on Monday, according to Abdullahi Said Samatar, security affairs minister in Somalia's Puntland region.

Piracy Alert - Gulf of Aden

On April 22nd, 2008 YachtPals says:

Somali pirates attempting to hijack a Japanese oil tanker in the Gulf of Aden on April 21 were detered in part due to the intervention of the Emden, a German Navy frigate which is patrolling the area as part of the international anti-terrorism operation Enduring Freedom.

According to Japanese shipping company Nippon Yusen KK, the Takayam oil tanker was attacked early on Monday, by a small boat off the north coast of Somalia.

A rocket left a hole from which hundreds of gallons of fuel leaked into the sea.

The Japanese tanker sent out a radio distress call, which was received by the German Navy frigate, said a Navy spokesperson. The Emden then headed straight for the scene of the attack, sending ahead a helicopter to intercept the pirates. By the time the helicopter arrived, the pirates had fled in their speedboat, the spokesman said, adding that the mere threat of the naval force had been enough to scare off the bandits.

Piracy Alerts

On April 27th, 2008 YachtPals says:

PIRACY ALERTS from the IMB for April 15-21 2008

-- Suspicious crafts --

16.04.2008: 0640 UTC: 14:02.0N-050:35.9E: Gulf of Aden.
A tanker underway was approached and trailed by two, 15-meter long boats. One boat had three persons in it and had a yellow hull. The other boat had five persons in it and had a white hull. Crew alerted and all anti piracy, preventive measures enforced. Ship took evasive manoeuvres. The two suspicious boats moved away and headed in a southwesterly direction. Ship reported to a coalition warship in the area. When warship arrived in the area, the suspicious boats disappeared.

16.04.2008: 0600 – 1000 LT: 14:26N-050:30E, Gulf of Aden.
Five speedboats, with three persons in each boat, chased a bulk carrier underway. Ship took evasive manoeuvres, increased speed and crew mustered. 30 minutes later, the boats retreated and regrouped closer to the mother vessel 10 nm on a parallel course. Four hours later, the boats moved away.

15.04.2008: 0600 UTC: 14:35.8N - 050:55.7E, Gulf of Aden.
Three speedboats approached a LPG tanker underway. The boats crossed the bow of the tanker several times. Master altered course and contacted coalition warship in the vicinity. After five minutes the boats moved away and stopped 2.5nm from the tanker.

14.04.2008: 1622 UTC: 15:17N - 052:23E, Gulf of Aden.
Four speedboats approached a tanker underway. At 3nm master altered course and the boats moved away.

Recently reported incidents
14.04.2008: 0340 LT: Lagos anchorage, Nigeria
Five robbers armed with knives boarded a bulk carrier at anchor. They took hostage one duty crew, tied his hands and feet and injured another crew. Alarm raised and crew mustered. Upon hearing the alarm, robbers escaped in their motor boat.

21.04.2008: 0110 UTC: 13:00N-049:07E: Gulf of Aden.
Five speedboats chased and opened fire on a VLCC tanker underway, in ballast.
Vessel increased speed and enforced anti piracy preventive measures. Speedboats aborted the attack after 30 minutes and disappeared. Some damage to Hull. No injuries to crew

16.04.2008: 0630 LT: Posn: 6:01:9S - 106:53.8E, Tanjung Priok, Indonesia.
Ships crew, on a general cargo vessel, noticed robbers on board just after anchoring. The robbers had broken into the safety equipment locker and had stolen ship stores. When challenged, the robbers jumped over board and escaped. No injuries to crew.

11.04.2008: 1550 UTC: 14:31.1N - 120:50.3E, Manila Bay, Philippines.
Three robbers armed with knives boarded an anchored general cargo ship via the anchor cable and breaking the hawse pipe cover securing. Two-duty crew saw the robbers and raised alarm. The robbers succeeded in escaping with ships stores and property.

piracy in guatemala?

On November 8th, 2008 Sailor (anonymous) says:

We are going to Guatemala in december 2008 for 3 months in sailboat my dauther and usband, I've heard of act of piracy in lake Izabal, so I would like to have some more informations about this area.

thank you. Mé.