| Anti-Shipping Activity Warning Messages |
|
| Date of Occurrence: 04/12/1996 |
Reference Number: 1996-30 |
| Geographical Subregion: |
63 |
| Geographical Location: |
6/57/00 N 79/51/00 E |
| Aggressor: |
ASSAILANTS |
| Victim: |
MERCHANT VESSEL |
| Description: |
|
| Sri Lanka, Port Colombo. The Sri Lankan Navy
and Air Force repelled a 12 April 1996 Tamil "Sea Tiger" suicide
attack on the port of Colombo. Rocket propelled grenades and mortar
bombs hit two foreign owned vessels and a small locally owned ship
caught in the crossfire. The attack consisted of two kamikaze
frogmen, followed by two guerrillas. The first diver blew himself up
at the entrance to the port, the Navy killed the second while he was
in the water. The Navy also destroyed one of the intruding vessels
outside the northern entrance to the port. Officals said that the
Air Force rushed two MI-24 helicopter gun ships to the scene and
tracked the other Guerilla boat about a mile away from the port and
destroyed it. Shipping minister M. Ashraff told reporters that there
had been no major damage to the port or ships and that the attackers
may have been aiming for Liquid Petroleum gas ship gas Tabango which
was unloading at the time of the attack. Gas Tabango sustained only
minor damage to a water tank. |
|
| Date of Occurrence: 04/10/1996 |
Reference Number: 1996-29 |
| Geographical Subregion: |
71 |
| Geographical Location: |
| Aggressor: |
ASSAILANTS |
| Victim: |
MERCHANT VESSEL |
| Description: |
|
| Indonesia According to an Antara new agency
report from Jakarta on 10 April 1996, Indonesia has sent eight
warships and a helicopter to the Natuna Islands after the
unidentified gunmen shot and killed the captain of a private boat in
the area. The report stated that fishermen have refused to go to the
Natuna seas since the assailants in a speedboat shot Captain Saryadi
with automatic rifles on 6 April 1996. The killers fled without
taking anything from the victim's boat. The news agency quoted
Colonel L. Soetanto of the Indonesian Navy as saying the shooting
would be investigated fully. Col. Soetanto was further quoted as
saying it would be difficult to catch the killers because the
shooting occured near the waters of Vietnam, the Philippines, and
Malaysia, which were infested with pirates. |
|
| Date of Occurrence: 03/30/1996 |
Reference Number: 1996-28 |
| Geographical Subregion: |
63 |
| Geographical Location: |
| Aggressor: |
ASSAILANTS |
| Victim: |
MERCHANT TANKER |
| Description: |
|
| Sri Lanka Tamil Tiger rebels sank a Navy boat
during an assault on a sea convoy on 30 March 1996. A sea tiger
suicide squad rammed their explosive filled boat into a Dvora fast
attack craft off the northeastern coast. Ten sailors, including two
officers, were killed. Approximately 12 rebel boats conducted the
strike on the convoy. Air Force MI-24 helicopter gunships and Pucara
ground attack aircraft were called in to help rebuff the attack.
|
|
| Date of Occurrence: 03/27/1996 |
Reference Number: 1996-27 |
| Geographical Subregion: |
51 |
| Geographical Location: |
9/31/00 N 13/43/00 W |
| Aggressor: |
ASSAILANTS |
| Victim: |
MERCHANT VESSEL |
| Description: |
|
| Guinea, Africa Seven armed men in a high speed
boat attacked the Greek-flagged 13,538 GRT bulk carrier Esperanza at
approximately 0130 local time on 27 March 1996. The Esperanza was at
the port of Conakry when the robbery took place. There were no
injuries; however, the thieves stole US $3,150 and some personal
effects. |
|
| Date of Occurrence: 03/16/1996 |
Reference Number: 1996-26 |
| Geographical Subregion: |
71 |
| Geographical Location: |
3/3/00 N 113/8/00 E |
| Aggressor: |
ASSAILANTS |
| Victim: |
MERCHANT TANKER |
| Description: |
|
| Malaysia On 16 March 1996 at 1500 GMT, seven
thieves scaled the anchor chain of the Nigeria-Flagged, 85,616 GRT,
LNG carrier, LNG Finima and stole some paint from the foward store.
LNG Finima was anchored 12.5 miles off Bintulu when the robbers
approcahed via two small boats. The thieves fled when a watchstander
discovered them and sounded the alarm. The intruders caused no
damage to the ship nor harm to the crew. |
|
| Date of Occurrence: 03/03/1996 |
Reference Number: 1996-24 |
| Geographical Subregion: |
91 |
| Geographical Location: |
| Aggressor: |
ASSAILANTS |
| Victim: |
MERCHANT VESSEL |
| Description: |
|
| Philippines Pirates killed nine of ten crew
members and seized the fishing vessel identified as MN-3 Normina off
the Basilian Island in the southern Philipines, the military police
said on 3 March 1996. Four gunmen in two speedboats shot the crew
and towed the fishing vessel to an unknown destination. Reports did
not specify how the tenth victim endured. |
|
| Date of Occurrence: 02/24/1996 |
Reference Number: 1996-23 |
| Geographical Subregion: |
93 |
| Geographical Location: |
| Aggressor: |
ASSAILANTS |
| Victim: |
MERCHANT VESSELS |
| Description: |
|
| Vietnam-Thailand Vietnam accused Thailand of
trespassing in its territorial waters and seizing local fishing
vessels along with the crews on 24 February 1996. The Vietnam news
agency reported that approximately 40 Thai fishing vessels, escorted
by Naval Vessels, entered an area off the southern Vietnamese coast
on 16 February 1996 and confiscated some local fishing boats.
Thailand impounded two additional vessels and crews on 18 February
1996. A report in a Thai newspaper accused the Vietnamese vessels of
engaging in piracy. The Vietnamese rejected this assertion and
demanded the immediate return of the ships. Vietnam and Thailand
have overlapping offshore claims as a result of the 1977 and 1988
unilateral announcements by both countries of their exclusive
economic zones. |
|
| Date of Occurrence: 02/11/1996 |
Reference Number: 1996-10 |
| Geographical Subregion: |
71 |
| Geographical Location: |
| Aggressor: |
PIRATES |
| Victim: |
MERCHANT VESSEL |
| Description: |
|
| ONE OF FOUR PIRATES FROM A HIGH SPEED BOAT
ATTEMPTED TO BOARD A VESSEL AT ANCHOR IN TANJUNGPAGAR ANCHORAGE. THE
VESSEL'S ANTI- PIRACY SQUAD FOILED THE ATTEMPTED BOARDING.
|
|
| Date of Occurrence: 02/11/1996 |
Reference Number: 1996-11 |
| Geographical Subregion: |
56 |
| Geographical Location: |
31/15/00 N 32/18/00 E |
| Aggressor: |
PIRATES |
| Victim: |
CIMBRIA |
| Description: |
|
| INDONESIA Three would be thieves boarded
Danish-Flagged , 2000 DWT, Livestock Carrier, Cimbria, in Jakarta
Roads on February 11, 1996. The crew cut off the painter line of the
Pirate boat forcing the robbers overboard . |
|
| Date of Occurrence: 02/10/1996 |
Reference Number: 1996-16 |
| Geographical Subregion: |
92 |
| Geographical Location: |
| Aggressor: |
PIRATES |
| Victim: |
PHILIPPINE NAVY |
| Description: |
|
| Subic Bay, Philippines. A Phillipine Naval
Patrol spotted a Chinese pirate vessel about five miles from the
entrance to Subic Bay and tried to warn it off by firing shots into
the air and contacting it by radio. The Chinese ship responded by
trying to ram the patrol craft and firing rifles. The intruding
vessel attempted to escape but was brought to shore by 3 Phillipine
Navy ships. Phillipine investigaton revealed the 20 man "Pirate"
crew was entirely Chinese. General Arturo Enrile, Armed Forces
Chief, is convinced that the Chinese government had no knowledge of
the activities of Chinese pirates in Philippine waters.
|
|
| Date of Occurrence: 01/27/1996 |
Reference Number: 1996-1 |
| Geographical Subregion: |
63 |
| Geographical Location: |
22/35/00 N 89/32/00 E |
| Aggressor: |
PIRATES |
| Victim: |
BARGES UNDER TOW |
| Description: |
|
| THE TUG DYNAMIC WAS TOWING THREE WATERMAN LASH
BARGES FROM THE ANCHORAGE AREA OF MONGLA (ACROSS BAY OF BENGAL FROM
CHITTAGONG, BANGLEDESH) WHEN PIRATES BOARDED THE BARGES AND FORCIBLY
REMOVED 11 MOORING LINES. |
|
| Date of Occurrence: 01/27/1996 |
Reference Number: 1996-18 |
| Geographical Subregion: |
94 |
| Geographical Location: |
| Aggressor: |
ASSAILANTS |
| Victim: |
MERCHANT VESSEL |
| Description: |
|
| Tawain Strait A 4500-5000 ton Taiwanese-owned,
Panamanian flagged containership was followed and attacked on a
voyage from Indonesia to Kaohsiung around 0930L. An iron-hulled
Chinese mainland vessel closed to within 20 to 30 meters and opened
fire, after tailing the ship for 3 hours. The attacking vessel was
described as a green-colored boat, bearing a Chinese mainland
national flag, and a license number of F4404. The captain of the
freighter reported seeing at least 4 men in military uniform on
board the attacking ship. The freighter was hit several times by
machine gun and automatic rifle rounds from the iron hulled craft,
causing dammage to the cargo hold, steel plates, and areas near the
radar room. Reports differ on who was responsible for the ramming;
however, the ships collided, causing the iron-hulled ship to
promptly leave the scene. The containership's port side lights were
destroyed during the collision. |
|
| Date of Occurrence: 01/26/1996 |
Reference Number: 1996-8 |
| Geographical Subregion: |
94 |
| Geographical Location: |
| Aggressor: |
ASSAILANTS |
| Victim: |
HANGJUNG NO.9 |
| Description: |
|
| ON 26 JAN 96 THE PANAMANIAN-FLAGGED
CONTAINERSHIP HANGJUNG NO.9 WAS ATTACKED BY AN IRON-HULLED CHINESE
COMMUNIST VESSEL BEARING THE NUMBER F-4404, ABOUT 40NM SOUTHWEST OF
MAOPITOU. THE HANGJUNG NO.9 WAS ON A VOYAGE FROM INDONESIA TO
KAOHSIUNG, TAIWAN. THE VESSEL WAS HIT SEVERAL TIMES BY MACHINE GUN
AND AUTOMATIC RIFLE FIRE CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE CARGO HOLD, STEEL
PLATES, AND AREAS NEAR THE RADAR ROOM. THE TWO SHIPS COLLIDED BEFORE
THE ATTACKING VESSEL LEFT THE SCENE. During the attack which lasted
only ten minutes the thieves pilfered both the Master's safe and the
Radio Officer's safe, as well as the cash and property of the crew
and watchman, leaving with about USD 10,000 in cash and property.
The tanker was laden with a low flash point cargo of ethanol, the
fact that all the gunmen were armed with handguns had the makings of
a disaster. |
|
| Date of Occurrence: 01/22/1996 |
Reference Number: 1996-15 |
| Geographical Subregion: |
92 |
| Geographical Location: |
| Aggressor: |
ASSAILANTS |
| Victim: |
Philippine Navy |
| Description: |
|
| Philippines A Philippine Navy gunboat and a
Chinese ship engaged in a 90 minute gun battle off Luzon Island
during the early morning hours. The encounter began when the
Philippine Ships spotted two suspicious vessels 12 miles off Capones
Island. The Phillipine gunboat fired a warning shot for the
intruders to stop. One boat fled, the other tried to ram the Navy
gunboat. A chase ensued, ending when the Philippine Navy boat ran
out of fuel and it's guns jammed. The encroaching vessel was
described as a People's Republic of China vessel having a bow number
of 04420. It was said to be flying a red star flag. One report
claimed that military men were on board. Phillipine Navy Chief Vice
Admiral Pio Carranza is quoted as saying that the intruders were
mostly Chinese pirates and that investigators had ruled out
involvement of the Chinese Navy. |
|
| Date of Occurrence: 01/21/1996 |
Reference Number: 1996-4 |
| Geographical Subregion: |
61 |
| Geographical Location: |
6/50/00 S 39/17/00 E |
| Aggressor: |
ASSAILANTS |
| Victim: |
MERCHANT VESSEL |
| Description: |
|
| Tanzania BIMCO REPORTS: On 21 January 1996 a
Latvian tanker was boarded by three thieves at 2120 hrs at the
Dar-Es-Salaam outer anchorage. The intruders were discovered by the
watch officer on the forecastle. Once the ship's alarm was sounded
the thieves jumped overboard. Investigations conducted afterwards
revealed that some ship's property had been stolen. The Master
reported the incident to the port authorities. |
|
| Date of Occurrence: 01/21/1996 |
Reference Number: 1996-14 |
| Geographical Subregion: |
92 |
| Geographical Location: |
| Aggressor: |
PIRATES |
| Victim: |
PHILIPPINE ARMY |
| Description: |
|
| PHILIPPINES Philippine Army soliders killed
three suspected pirates in a gun battle during a chase at sea. The
southern command of the Armed Forces of the Phillipines said Army
soldiers observed two vessels, carrying a group of fifteen alleged
pirates, enroute Sacol Island in Zamboanga Del Sur on January 21,
1996. The pirates opened fire, but retreated as soldiers neared. The
suspects outran the soldier's pumpboats and took sanctuary on a
nearby island where the military and the Moro National Liberation
Front observe a cease fire agreement. |
|
| Date of Occurrence: 01/16/1996 |
Reference Number: 1996-5 |
| Geographical Subregion: |
55 |
| Geographical Location: |
44/1/00 N 39/46/00 E |
| Aggressor: |
ASSAILANTS |
| Victim: |
AVRASYA |
| Description: |
|
| ON 16 JAN 96 A GROUP OF ARMED CHECHEN
SYMPATHIZERS HIJACKED THE PANAMANIAN-FLAGGED PASSENGER/RO-RO
CARGO/FERRY AVRASYA AT THE TURKISH PORT OF TRABZON. THE VESSEL WAS
DIVERTED FROM ITS SCHEDULED PORT OF CALL, SOCHI, RUSSIA TO A COURSE
HEADING FOR ISTANBUL, TURKEY. THE HIJACKERS STATED THAT THEY HAD
EXPLOSIVES AND THREATENED TO BLOW UP THEMSELVES AND THE HOSTAGES.
THEY SURRENDERED PEACEFULLY AFTER FOUR DAYS WITH NO INJURIES
REPORTED. |
|
| Date of Occurrence: 01/16/1996 |
Reference Number: 1996-22 |
| Geographical Subregion: |
56 |
| Geographical Location: |
41/1/00 N 39/46/00 E |
| Aggressor: |
ASSAILANTS |
| Victim: |
MERCHANT VESSEL |
| Description: |
|
| Turkey A group of armed Chechen sympathizers
hijacked Panamanian-flagged, Passenger/Ro-Ro cargo/ferry avrasya at
the Turkish port of Trabzon. The terrorists diverted the ferry from
it's scheduled port of call, Sochi, Russia, to a course heading for
Istanbul. The pro-Chechen activists stated that they had explosives
and threatened to blow up themselves and the hostages. After four
days, the four gunmen surrendered peacefully, without a shot being
fired. Further investigation revealed an additional five hijackers
still on the ferry. All nine were apprehended, are being detained in
Istanbul, and will stand trial in Turkey. Within ten hours of the
conclusion of the hijacking, Avrasya was enroute back to her home
waters in the Eastern Black sea. |
|
| Date of Occurrence: 01/05/1996 |
Reference Number: 1996-3 |
| Geographical Subregion: |
24 |
| Geographical Location: |
6/49/00 N 58/10/00 W |
| Aggressor: |
ASSAILANTS |
| Victim: |
MERCHANT VESSEL |
| Description: |
|
| GUYANA BIMCO REPORTS: ON 5 JANUARY 1996 A
LATVIAN REEFER SHIP WAS APPROACHED BY THREE MOTORBOATS AT 2210 HRS
AT THE GEORGETOWN OUTER ANCHORAGE. ABOUT FIFTEEN ARMED MEN ABOARD
THE MOTORBOATS HAD TO GIVE UP THEIR ATTEMPT TO BOARD THE SHIP AS HER
CREW DEFENDED HER BY MANNING THE FIRE HOSES. NO INJURIES WERE
REPORTED. THE MASTER REPORTED THE INCIDENT TO THE PORT AUTHORITIES.
|
|
| Date of Occurrence: 01/03/1996 |
Reference Number: 1996-2 |
| Geographical Subregion: |
94 |
| Geographical Location: |
| Aggressor: |
ASSAILANTS |
| Victim: |
FENG YU MAN NO.1132 |
| Description: |
|
| ON 03 JAN 96 THW KEELUNG-BASED FENG YU MAN
NO.1132 WAS HIJACKED BY TWO MAINLAND CHINESE FISHING VESSELS ABOUT
70NM OFF THE KEELUNG COAST OF TAIWAN. |
|
| Date of Occurrence: 01/03/1996 |
Reference Number: 1996-17 |
| Geographical Subregion: |
94 |
| Geographical Location: |
| Aggressor: |
ASSAILANTS |
| Victim: |
FENG YU NO. 1132 |
| Description: |
|
| Tawain Strait The Keelung-based Feng Yu No.
1132 fishing boat was hijacked by two mainland Chinese fishing
vessels approximately 70 miles off the Keelung coast. A local radio
station stated that the incident was prompted by an argument over
the use of fishing nets. |
|
| Date of Occurrence: 01/02/1996 |
Reference Number: 1996-9 |
| Geographical Subregion: |
21 |
| Geographical Location: |
8/38/00 N 79/2/00 W |
| Aggressor: |
PIRATES |
| Victim: |
YACHT |
| Description: |
|
| ON 02 JAN 96 A SLEEPING GERMAN YACHTSMAN
RECEIVED THREE GUNSHOT WOUNDS FROM ATTACKING PIRATES. THE ATTACK
OCCURRED NEAR CONTADORA ISLAND, OFF PANAMA'S PACIFIC COAST.
|
|
| Date of Occurrence: 01/02/1996 |
Reference Number: 1996-19 |
| Geographical Subregion: |
28 |
| Geographical Location: |
| Aggressor: |
PIRATES |
| Victim: |
GERMAN YACHTSMAN |
| Description: |
|
| Panama A sleeping German yachtsman received
three gunshot wounds from attacking pirates. He was reported to be
in serious condition at a hosptial on the mainland. The assault
occurred near the Contadora island, off Panama's pacific coast.
|
|
| Date of Occurrence: 12/20/1995 |
Reference Number: 1996-13 |
| Geographical Subregion: |
71 |
| Geographical Location: |
1/17/00 N 103/51/00 E |
| Aggressor: |
PIRATES |
| Victim: |
M/V COURIER |
| Description: |
|
| Singapore A motorized bumboat approached MV
Courier while anchored at the Jurong Petroleum Anchorage, Singapore.
The deck watch observed the bumboat tying up the Courier's anchor
chain and then saw an intruder climb the anchor train leaving
several compatriots in the boat. The intruder ignored challenges
issued by the ship's crew until they were told by the ship's company
that they would "Let Go" the anchor chain. The robbers quickly
untied the bumboat and escaped. |
|
| Date of Occurrence: 12/06/1995 |
Reference Number: 1996-21 |
| Geographical Subregion: |
62 |
| Geographical Location: |
| Aggressor: |
ASSAILANTS |
| Victim: |
KELLY MARIE |
| Description: |
|
| Southern Red Sea An unknown assailant twice
fired upon U.S. flagged yacht Kelly Marie while anchored off the
Hanish Islands in the Southern Red Sea. The yacht issued a distress
which the USS Monterey picked up and relayed. U.S. officials
contacted the Yemeni military and foreign ministry to clear up any
misunderstanding as to the identity of the yacht. Kelly Marie
reported no injuries and safely departed the area 12/07/95.
|
|
| Date of Occurrence: 11/27/1995 |
Reference Number: 1996-25 |
| Geographical Subregion: |
62 |
| Geographical Location: |
| Aggressor: |
ASSAILANTS |
| Victim: |
MERCHANT TANKER |
| Description: |
|
| Iran Charterers of the Honduran-flagged ocean
tug Negin (Of the Buoy Bandar Shipping Agency) reported the vessel
and its $700,000 (US) cargo was missing 27 November 1996. On 13
November 1996 the master reported the vessel developing engine
trouble and in need of urgent repair. The charterer has not received
further communication from the vessel. On 15 November 1996, the Buoy
Bandar Shipping Agency informed the charterer the vessel was being
repaired off Larak Island, Iran. Private attempts by the charterer
to locate the vessel and re-contact the shipping agency have failed.
Further investigation revealed Bandar Abbas port authorities took
port clearence on the vessel 11 November 1996 for India.
|
|
| Date of Occurrence: 10/23/1995 |
Reference Number: 1996-20 |
| Geographical Subregion: |
61 |
| Geographical Location: |
| Aggressor: |
ASSAILANTS |
| Victim: |
EW COOK |
| Description: |
|
| Somalia A speedboat mounted with a heavy
machine gun fired upon a vessel at El-Ma'an port 30km northeast of
Mogadishu. The shooting forced the ship to cease unloading livestock
and to remove itself from harm's way by anchoring out to sea.
Reporting from late November suggests that the Panamanian-Flagged
refrigerated cargo ship EW COOK may have been the victim ship. The
vessel reported its intent to effect repairs to damage sustained by
gunfire while in Mogadishu in October. |
|
| Date of Occurrence: 05/21/1995 |
Reference Number: 1996-6 |
| Geographical Subregion: |
93 |
| Geographical Location: |
23/5/00 N 113/25/00 E |
| Aggressor: |
THIEVES |
| Victim: |
MERCHANT VESSEL |
| Description: |
|
| Huangpu BIMCO REPORTS:A tanker at Huangpu
anchorage was boarded by thieves on 21 May 1995 at 0417 hrs. Two
crewmen and one officer were on watch at the time of the attack.
Initially one motorboat was spotted approaching the vessel. The
motorboat came alongside the vessel toward her stern, diverting the
crew's attention from a second boat which approached the vessel's
bow. Two men from the second boat used ropes to come onboard the
ship as the two crewmen on watch ran toward the bow. The thieves
were both armed with knives, and one had a handgun. The intended
loot was the ship's mooring ropes, however as they were on the winch
drums the thieves stole a life raft instead. |
|
| Date of Occurrence: 04/28/1995 |
Reference Number: 1996-12 |
| Geographical Subregion: |
73 |
| Geographical Location: |
| Aggressor: |
PIRATES |
| Victim: |
EQUATOR CRYSTAL |
| Description: |
|
| Jakarta Maritime thieves boarded Equator
Crystal (Singapore Flagged, 9805 DWT Bulk Cargo) during the early
morning hours of February 9, 1996. The Cargo ship was anchored in
Jakarta waiting for a pilot. The thieves escaped with some engine
parts. |
|
| Date of Occurrence: 04/23/1995 |
Reference Number: 1996-7 |
| Geographical Subregion: |
24 |
| Geographical Location: |
23/56/00 S 46/19/00 W |
| Aggressor: |
ASSAILANTS |
| Victim: |
MERCHANT VESSEL |
| Description: |
|
| Santos BIMCO REPORTS: On 23 April 1995
watchmen on board a vessel anchored at the outer roads spotted men
at the ship's forecastle at 0145 hrs. As the ship's alarm was
sounded the intruders escaped. Subsequent inspections revealed that
two containers had been forced open but the contents had not been
pilfered. |
|
