Ships have been warned to be vigilant against pirates off Mangkai Island in the South China Sea following three attacks in the area.
The International Maritime Bureau’s piracy reporting centre sent a warning to shipping to maintain strict anti-piracy watches around Mangkai and the Ananbas Islands.
Piracy reporting centre head Noel Choong said there had been three attacks by a group of five to eight pirates armed with long knives.
On June 25, pirates attacked a Vietnamese-flagged general cargoship bound from China to Indonesia and a Malta-flagged general cargoship sailing from Singapore to China. In both cases the pirates stole cash and personal belongings.
On June 27, pirates attacked a Singapore-registered liquefied petroleum gas carrier in the same area, robbing the crew.
The 12,300 dwt LPG carrier Sigloo DiscoverySouth China Sea. was boarded by six pirates at 0400hrs local time on June 27, close to the Indonesian island Pulau Dumar in the
The Regional Co-operation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia said the pirates, armed with crowbars, batons and knives, entered the bridge of the Sigloo Discovery and tied up the master, second officer and a third seafarer on duty at the time.
The pirates stole a laptop, mobile phones, a watch and cash before fleeing in a wooden boat. There were no injuries to the crew of 28 onboard.
Mr Choong said the IMB believed all three attacks were carried out by the same gang. It is an area that has seen spates of pirate attacks in the past. “We have notified the Indonesian authorities and are hoping some action will be taken soon,” he said.
ReCAAP reported a fourth attack on June 28 on the Panama-flagged general cargoship White Tokio to the south of the area where the three other incidents took place.
ReCAAP said the vessel was boarded by six pirates 34 km south of Pulau Aur at 0115hrs local time when transiting from Malaysia to Japan. The pirates held two crew members hostage and demanded money from the master. After the master handed over money they released the crew and made a getaway in their own boat.
It is not clear if the attack is related to the three other incidents off Mangkai and the Ananbas Islands.
ReCAAP advised masters and crew to maintain vigilance against pirates at all times when operating in the area.