INCIDENT OVER – ONGOING THREAT TO SHIPPING
Event: Illegal Boarding
Date and Time: 3 April 2022,
1848hrs
Location: 275nm S of Lomé, International Waters
Position: 01°31.13’N, 001°30.19’E
Distance from Shore: 307nm from Niger Delta coast
Vessel Details
Type: Bulk Carrier
L x B: 200m x 32.2m
Speed: 10.4kts
Event Details
Kidnapped: 0
Injured: 0
Killed: 0
Security Present: None reported
Damage to Cargo:
None reported
Damage to Vessel:
Some damage to equipment on bridge
Weather: Moderate Breeze / 0mm precipitation
Wave Height: 2.3m
Threat Details
Number of Perpetrators: Not reported
Number of Craft: Not reported – possible use of mothership
Weapons Seen:
Firearms
Equipment Seen: Not reported
Description: A bulk carrier sailing deep offshore in international waters has been boarded. Report came from CSO of shipping company via MDAT-GoG.
UPDATE 1: Local Naval authorities have informed that the Italian Navy vessel Rizzo Luigi Rizzo (P595) is in the vicinity, and preparing a boarding team to support the vessel. Information received
is that all crew reached the citadel before pirates boarded the vessel and are all safe.
UPDATE 2: The Italian Navy boarding team boarded the vessel to ensure all crew are safe – it is now confirmed that all 19 crew members reached the citadel safely. The pirates damaged navigation
equipment on the bridge, but with the support from the Italian Navy the steering and propulsion systems were repaired. The vessel is currently under escort with the Italian Navy vessel and sailing towards Lagos. It is likely that on arrival in Nigerian waters
the escort will be taken over by a Nigerian security vessel.
It is assessed that due to distance offshore, it is possible that pirates deployed from a mother vessel, and therefore the risk remains high deep offshore in the Gulf of Guinea and all vessels in
the area should maintain extreme vigilance.
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Africa Risk Compliance Limited
