INCIDENT ONGOING
Event: Suspicious Activity/Illegal Boarding/Hijack
Date and Time: 16 November 2020, 0540hrs local
Location: 40nm SSE of Lomé, Togo EEZ
Position: 05°28’N, 001° 25’E
Distance from Shore: Approx. 40nm
Vessel Details
Type: Oil/Chemical Tanker
L x B: 36m x 7m
Speed: 0kts
Event Details
Kidnapped: TBC
Injured: TBC
Killed: TBC
Security Present: None reported
Weather: Gentle Breeze / 0mm precipitation
Wave Height: 1.2m
Threat Details
Number of Perpetrators: TBC
Number of Craft: TBC
Weapons Seen: TBC
Equipment Seen: TBC
Description: The owner of the vessel STELIOS K (IMO 8679209) has reported that it has lost communications with the vessel. Last contact was 1200hrs local, 16 November 2020 whilst vessel
40nm offshore Lomé, Togo.
UPDATE 1: MDAT-GoG have now classified this as a “boarding”, due to “loss of communication with the vessel”. AIS tracking data from before AIS was switched off shows vessel’s movements that seem like evasive manoeuvres.
UPDATE 2: MDAT-GoG have reported that vessel is now 90nm SE of Tema in Ghana EEZ. Vessel is considered to be hijacked, with pirates still onboard. According to reports, negotiations are taking place between pirates and ship-owner on release
of the vessel and the crew. Local authorities have also been informed and responding.
UPDATE 3: Vessel is now 190nm SE of Lomé at the edge of Togo EEZ. Pirates are still reportedly in control of the vessel. In this location, it is possible that a Navy vessel from a European country will intervene (as per previous incidents
in last 2 weeks).
Comment: If pirates do leave vessel with no intervention from local Navy, all vessels in the area should increase watches as pirates will still be in the area and may carry out other attacks.
Reverting once more information is received.
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