Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia

During 16 – 22 Jul 19, one CAT 21 incident of piracy was reported to the ReCAAP ISC. The incident involved a Korea-registered bulk carrier C.K. Bluebell which was boarded by seven perpetrators who were armed with guns and knives on 22 Jul 19 at about 0325 hrs in the South China Sea, at approximately 28 nm west of the Anambas island, Indonesia. The crew was threatened, and two crew members sustained minor injury. The ReCAAP ISC issued an Incident Alert to advise all ships to exercise enhanced vigilance while underway in the South China Sea. The location of the incident is shown in the map below, and description tabulated in the attachment.

 

SITUATION OF ABDUCTION OF CREW IN THE SULU-CELEBES SEAS AND WATERS OFF EASTERN SABAH

 

As the risk of the abduction of crew in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and waters off Eastern Sabah is high as demonstrated by the abduction of 9 crew2 on 18 Jun 19, the ReCAAP ISC reiterates its advisory issued via the ReCAAP ISC Incident Alert dated 21 Nov 16 to all ships to reroute from the area, where possible. Otherwise, ship masters and crew are strongly urged to exercise extra vigilance while transiting the area, and report immediately to the Operation Centres of Philippines and Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) of Malaysia. The contact details of the Operation Centres of Philippines and ESSCOM of Malaysia (updated by ReCAAP ISC on 3 Jan 19) are as follows: