The following analysis was issued by Dryad Maritime on Saturday 22nd August. The report illustrates the continuing security issues in Southeast Asia, including contributing factors, and the impact upon maritime trade.
Over two nights, six vessels experienced either boarding or attempted boardings in the eastbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) of the Singapore Strait. The positions of all six of these are displayed above. All the incidents were reported to Singapore Vessel Tracking Support System (VTIS). (Source: ReCAAP)
Although local VTIS have broadcast reports of incidents, there has been very little involvement from regional security forces. The response of deploying a patrol boat to the area after the event can be seen as too little, too late. These latest incidents take the total number of vessels reporting similar cases within the Singapore Strait to 75 in 2015, with 27 being reported in the last 10 weeks within a 15 nautical mile (NM) radius of Pulau Nipah. These events show a need for a permanent security presence in this area during the hours of darkness and, until this has been put in place, these boardings and robberies can be expected to continue unhindered. Until such time as a patrol is put in place, it is left to individual vessels to make their own security arrangements. As shown in a number of cases, the swift actions of an alert crew can often be sufficient to thwart potential robberies.
Dryad recommends all low access points, non-essential entry and exit points and machinery compartments are secured and that extra lookouts should be posted while in the Straits. Extra vigilance by patrols and lookouts, and increased security measures will mitigate the risk from petty theft. Such incidents are opportunistic in nature with no particular type of vessel targeted. A high visual presence on the upper deck is often enough to prevent a vessel being targeted, patrols should ideally consist of at least two crewmembers. Early identification of any potential threat will allow crew members time to raise the alarm, which will result in criminals fleeing the scene in the majority of cases. If boarded, Dryad recommends crewmembers are compliant in order to avoid the risk of physical attack by potentially armed criminals.
Dryad requests all Masters to report all attacks and suspicious sightings to the local authorities and the IMB PRC. Email: [email protected] Tel: +603 2031 0014 The IMB PRC will also liaise with the local authorities to render necessary assistance.
The above report is part of Dryad’s Incident & Advisory (I&A) reporting stream – a service aimed at building Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) and providing timely alerts and analysis of maritime threats to enable effective risk mitigation. To learn more about receiving these reports, contact: [email protected]
Editor: Please note, the dates and events referred to in this report are accurate of their publication date, 22nd August.
