Copyright © 2017 L. Joubert 1

PIRACY REPORT JANUARY 2017

_____________________________________________________

Piracy and Acts of Armed Robbery of Ships

For Monthly Reports

Please contact

Lydelle Joubert

info@PiracyReport.co.za

Piracy Report Independent Global

Incident Analysis

2

Analysis

Several incidents of piracy and robbery of vessels

were reported in the Sulu and Celebes Seas off

Malaysia and the Philippines in January 2017.

Three fishermen were kidnapped from their boat

presumably by Abu Sayyaf (ASG) or associated

groups. Eight fishermen were brutally killed on their

fishing outrigger off Zamboanga, Philippines. The

motive behind the killings is most likely extortion or

revenge. A general cargo ship reported an

attempted boarding off Basilan Island, Philippines.

It is likely that kidnappings and attempted

kidnappings will continue in the Sulu and Celebes

Seas.

Two hostages kidnapped from the Heavy Load

Carrier, Dongbang Giant 2 were released by ASG

in January 2017.

Another robbery took place in Muara Berau

Anchorage, Samarinda, Indonesia. This was the

ninth incident since April 2016.

A robbery and an attempted robbery were reported

at Pepel and Freetown Anchorages off Freetown,

Sierra Leone. This is in all likelihood as a result of

the Freetown Container Terminal strike on 24

January 2017. The strike slowed operations down

at the port. Lack of space at the port cause delays

and longer working hours for the container drivers.

Five incidents were reported in South and Central

America and the Caribbean in January 2017.

Incidents have been increasing in the last few

months. Two armed robberies on yachts while

underway were reported off Honduras.

Two robberies were recorded at Chittagong

Anchorages, Bangladesh. An attack on a tug

towing another vessel was also recorded off Cox’s

Bazar, Bangladesh.

The reported hijacking of the General Cargo

vessel, Merbey off the coast of Nigeria seems to be

a case of fraud rather than a hijacking incident, if

Mohammed Oulahcen’s version of events is

correct. The vessel’s position on AIS has been off

the Calabar coast, Nigeria since August 2016. The

vessel’s name was also changed to Omerbey 1 in

September 2016. This was the name of the vessel

before Oulahcen became a partner in 2015.

2016

Incidents

January 2017

Incidents

Copyright © 2017 L. Joubert

2017

Incidents

3 Copyright © 2017 L. Joubert

Incidents of Piracy and Robbery of Vessels: 2015 to 2017

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Southeast Asia

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West Africa

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JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

Americas & Caribbean

2015

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2017

Linear (2015)

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Incidents by Region January 2016 to January 2017

EAST AFRICA AND ARADIAN GULF WEST AFRICA INDIAN SUB CONT SE ASIA SOUTH AMERICA

Incidents 2017: Type of Ship Attacked

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Type Vessel Code

Barge

Bulk Carrier

Cargo ship

Coast Guard/

Patrol Boat

Container

Dhow

Ferry

Fishing Boat

Fishing Trawler

Offshore Supply

Vessel

Passenger Boat

Roll-on-Roll-off

Cargo Ship

Tanker

Tug

Yacht

B

BC

CS

PB

C

D

F

FB

FV

OSV

PMB

Ro-Ro

MT

TB

SY

2 1 3

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Copyright © 2017 L. Joubert

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BC CS C FB MT TB SY

Americas 1 2 2

Indian Sub Continent 2 1

SE Asia 1 1 2 3

West Africa 1 1

East Africa/Arabian Gulf 1

0

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Southeast Asia

Copyright © 2017 L. Joubert

Seven incidents of piracy and robbery of vessels, including a maritime kidnapping, were reported in

Southeast Asia in January 2017. Robberies were recorded at Muara Berau Anchorage, Samarinda

Indonesia; Sandakan Port, Sabah, Malaysia; and Batangas Anchorage, Philippines. One kidnapping was

reported in the Philippines. Three fishermen were kidnapped during this incident. Due to kidnappings and

attacks on vessels in the Philippines, some shipping companies operating between Australia and Asia are

currently diverting vessels to the east of the Philippines through the Pacific.1

3 January 2017 – The General Cargo Ship, Ocean Kingdom was attacked by six armed men in two

speedboats approximately 21.6nm East off Basilan Island, Philippines. The master of the vessel increased

speed and used anti piracy measures to evade the boarding. Authorities were alerted through a message

to Radio Zamboanga. The vessel sustained fire damage. 2

6 January 2017 – The Chemical Tanker, Great Sailor was approached by men in a small boat in the

eastbound lane of the Singapore Strait approximately 2.8nm north of Nongsa Point, Batam Island. The

attackers attempted to board the tanker, but were prevented from doing so when the master took evasive

action and pointed a spot light at them.3

18/01/2017. BN 838/4F.

Fishing Boat. Three

kidnapped.

6/01/2017. Great Sailor.

Chemical Tanker.

Attempted boarding

while underway. 3/01/2017. Ocean

Kingdom. General Cargo.

Failed attack.

9/01/2017. Fishing

Outrigger. Violent attack

and robbery. Eight killed.

7 Copyright © 2017 L. Joubert

9 January 2017 – Crew of a fishing outrigger, only identified as F/B NR, based in Sangali, were brutally

attacked at around 20:00LT by five armed men in two speed boats. The attack occurred close to Siromon

Island, approximately 25nm east of Zamboanga, Philippines. Five of the 15 crew jumped overboard and

were found unharmed. The attackers stole cash and valuables such as cell phones. They tied the

fishermen up and shot at them, killing eight which included two children. The remaining two were rescued

by passing fishermen. The boat was found partly submerged as bullets had pierced the hull. A suspect, a

native of Sitio Seaside in Sangali, Midzfar Yunos Nuno was arrested the next night during a drug operation.

Another suspect, Arakain Samlan was arrested in a separate operation. Both were previously arrested for

extortion of fishermen in the village. Eight additional suspects are wanted by the police in connection with

the incident. The incident is not believed to be connected to recent ASG kidnappings. According to police

sources, extortion or revenge could be motives for the killings. Two colleagues of the accused were killed

by authorities in November 2016 while on patrol. 4

Comment. This incident has several similarities with an incident that took place on 25/26 December 2013

off Zamboanga City. A group of three fishing vessels was attacked near Zamboanga City on that day. Two

fishermen escaped and alerted authorities. The decapitated bodies of nine fishermen were recovered in

three different locations early in January 2014. This included two children. They had been tied up and shot.

All 11 fishermen were also residents of Sangali. The motive for the attack was retaliation for deaths of

members of an extortion gang by Badjao fishermen.5

The coastal town of Sangali is highly dependant on fishing. Drug related crimes and extortion are rife in

this area.

18 January 2017 – A Malaysian fishing banca with registration BN 838/4F was approached by nine

assailants in a grey speed boat 4nm east of Bakungan Island, Taganak, Tawi-Tawi, Philippines. Three

Indonesian crew members were kidnapped. The fishing banca was found drifting close to Bakungan

Island.6

Feedback : ASG Hijackings of Vessels and Kidnapping Incidents in the Philippines

29 December 2016 – ASG was circulating pictures on social media of German hostage Juergen

Kantner in an orange jumpsuit standing in a grave and holding a flag with the words “This is my last

hour”. They demanded a ransom from the German government, threatening to behead Kantner if their

demands are not met. 7Kantner was kidnapped from his yacht Rockall on 5 November 2016.

14 January 2017 – Park Chul-hong and Glenn Alindajao, two hostages kidnapped from the Heavy Load

Carrier, Dongbang Giant 2 were released by ASG to the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). The

MNLF handed them to officials in Jolo. The hostages were kidnapped on 20 October 2016.8

West Africa

Two incidents were reported in anchorages off Sierra Leone on 25 and 30 January 2017 respectively. A

robbery on a Bulk Carrier was reported at Pepel Anchorage and an attempted robbery on a Container Ship

at Freetown Outer Anchorage. Container drivers and workers at the Freetown Container Terminal

embarked on a strike on 24 January 2017 which slowed operations down at the port. Lack of space at the

port cause delays for drivers waiting for containers. The workers went back to work after the meeting with

port authorities.9

8 Copyright © 2017 L. Joubert

The Merbey Incident

According to Moroccan businessman Mohammed Oulahcen, he bought the General Cargo Vessel,

Merbey in Turkey in 2015 in partnership with a Portuguese national Jose. The understanding was that the

vessel would be sailed to Morocco. According to Oulahcen he was double-crossed by his partner who

used the vessel for illegal trafficking of arms and drugs to the Houthis in Yemen. The vessel was then

relocated to Nigeria.10 According to AIS the vessel has been anchored off Calabar Nigeria since 25 August

2016.11

IMO records indicate that the vessel was renamed in October 2015 from Omerbey 1 (Turkish flag) to

Merbey (Comoros flag) and again in September 2016 back to Omerbey 1 (Turkish flag). The owner on

record is Barchester Holdings Ltd in Gibraltar.12

9 Copyright © 2017 L. Joubert

East Africa

On the night of 12 January 2017 bicycles were stole from the yacht, Inspiration Lady in a gated marina at

Port de la Pointe des Galets, Réunion Island.13

Red Sea and Bab el Mandeb Strait

Eleven attacks and suspicious approaches were reported in the Red Sea and Bab al Mandeb over the last

year. While the motives for some of these attacks are unclear, most can be attributed to the conflict in

Yemen. It seems that ships with a military profile or with a sailing pattern associated with logistical support

to either party in the conflict are more likely to be targeted.

Certain vessels fall in a higher risk group. These are:

Military vessels;

Vessels involved in operations in support of either side of the Yemeni conflict or vessels following

regular routes that could be interpreted as involvement or support in the conflict are likely targets;

Vessels loitering around islands. Islands in the Red Sea are considered strategic positions and loitering

or slow moving vessels can be seen as suspicious by forces occupying the islands.

10 Copyright © 2017 L. Joubert

Military vessels

The navy Destroyer, USS Mason reported two failed missile attacks from the Yemeni shore north of Bab el

Mandeb on 9 and 12 October 2016. 14

11 Copyright © 2017 L. Joubert

On 30 January 2017 a Saudi frigate was approached by three small boats approximately 27nm off the port

of Al-Hodeidah, Yemen. The frigate was rammed by a suicide boat laden with explosives. Two Saudi crew

members died and three were injured as a result of the attack.15

Vessels involved in operations in support of either side of the Yemeni conflict or vessels following

regular routes that could be interpreted as involvement in the conflict

On 1 October 2016 the Houthis claimed responsibility for a missile attack on the logistics catamaran, HSV-

2-Swift near the port of Mokha, Yemen. The attack caused substantial damage but no reported loss of

life.16

On 3 January 2017 the landing craft, MV Sultan II was attacked 10nm off the Yemeni coast.17

Movement of the SULTAN II prior to the attack derived from EMSA IMDatE which utilizes Sat-AIS and

LRIT data . (Source EU NAVFOR)18

12 Copyright © 2017 L. Joubert

The attack on the MV Sultan II and the HSV-2-Swift had several things in common:

Both operated from the port of Assab on the Eritrean side of the Red Sea. The port was leased to the

UAE for a period of 30 years in 2015. The Arab Coalition is using the port as part of their military

campaign against the Houthis;

Both vessels are ro-ro landing craft with a similar profile;

Both vessels could be tracked on AIS as they were transmitting live on AIS; and

Both used the same ports regularly with the assumption that they were delivering logistical support to

the Arab Coalition. According to reports the HSV-2-Swift was leased by the United Arab Emirates

military from the UAE dredging company to transport medical aid and other supplies. 19 The MV Sultan

II did several transits between Assab and Perim (Mayyun) Island under Arab Coalition control.20

The MV Sultan II and the HSV-2-Swift are both ro-ro landing craft with a similar profile

On 3 October 2016 a suspicious approach by six armed men in a skiff was reported by the chemical

tanker, MT Nushi Nalini north of Bab el Mandeb. The vessel was enroute from Al- Hodeidah Port to the

Arabian Gulf.21

On 18 December 2016 a small cargo ship, MV Jouya 8 was attacked near the port of Al-Hodeidah,

Yemen. The vessel caught fire and sank. 22

13 Copyright © 2017 L. Joubert

Activity around islands

In February and July 2016 two attacks occurred approximately 8nm apart off the Jazirat al Hanish al Kabir

Island in the Red Sea. Both vessels were moving very slow at the time which may have been seen as

suspicious to forces on the island. In December 2015 Saudi led forces took control of the island from the

Houthis. The location of these islands is of strategic importance in the Red Sea.

In February 2016 the yacht, Milashka was damaged in a storm in the Red Sea and was seeking shelter on

the western side of the Jazirat al Hanish al Kabir (Hanish) Island. The yacht came under fire and was hit

by a bullet from a camouflaged position on the island.23

On 22 July 2016 the Cable layer vessel, Responder was attacked approximately 5nm WSW of the Hanish

Islands. Sixteen men armed with AK47s and an RPG7 fired on the cable layer. The Responder was

installing cables at 0.5knots at the time.24

Vessels transiting the Bab el Mandeb should remain as far west and south of Yemen as possible and use

the western traffic separation scheme. It is advisable to transit the Strait in daylight hours and to maintain

best speed.25 Beware of operations or routes that could be interpreted as involvement or support in the

conflict.

Americas

Five incidents were reported in South and Central America and the Caribbean in January 2017 of which

three were at anchorages. Robberies were reported at Mamonal Inner Anchorage, Colombia; Puerto Jose

Anchorage, Venezuela and Guayaquil Outer Anchorage, Ecuador. Two robberies of yachts off Honduras

were also reported in January 2017.

13 January 2017 – The yacht, Reflections was boarded by eight men from a fishing panga 5nm off

Honduras. Reflections was sailing from Puerto Cortez to Roatan. Two of the men were armed with pistols.

Electronics, dive gear, a dinghy with outboard, cash, passports and other valuables were stolen. The theft

of the electronics impaired the crew’s ability to navigate to their destination. The next day a US Navy

surveillance aircraft answered their call and arranged airborne escort.26

15 January 2017 – The LPG Tanker, Nijinsky was boarded by two robbers via the anchor chain at Puerto

Jose Anchorage, Venezuela. Four more robbers boarded after they removed the hawse pipe. They took

the AB hostage, threatened him with a knife and tied him up. The AB’s cell phone and ship’s properties

were stolen. The AB managed to free himself after they were gone.27

14 Copyright © 2017 L. Joubert

15/01/2017. Nijinsky. LPG

Tanker. Robbed.

21/01/2017. Ti’Amara.

Yacht. Robbed while

underway.

13/01/2017. Reflections.

Yacht. Robbery while

underway.

21 January 2017 – The yacht, Ti’Amara was approached and boarded from three small boats 70nm off

the coast of Honduras. Equipment was stolen.28

15 Copyright © 2017 L. Joubert

Indian Sub-Continent

Three incidents were reported in Bangladesh in January 2017. Two robberies were reported at Chittagong

Anchorages and one incident at Cox’s Bazar.

17 January 2017 – The tug boat, Jaya Crystal towing the vessel EL Hadj was approached by several

small boats at Cox’s Bazar. The master contacted Chittagong Port Control for assistance and performed

evasive manoeuvres. The perpetrators managed to board the El Hadj and started a fire onboard. They fled

when the Bangladeshi navy arrived on the scene. The crew fought the fire on the vessel, but was

interrupted when the master had to steer both vessels to deeper water to prevent grounding.29

17/01/2017. Jaya Crystal.

Tug. Towing El Hadj. Fire

started during attempted

robbery.

16 Copyright © 2017 L. Joubert

Pacific

The skipper of the yacht, Kalokalo was assaulted during an attempted robbery on his yacht on the night of

25 January 2017. He was anchored in Suva, Fiji at the time. He sustained lacerations on both hands and

was hospitalized.30

In November 2016 a businessman from Fiji was stabbed in the throat with a screwdriver during a robbery

on his yacht at Fantasy Island, Nadion on the Northwest of the island. His laptops, phone and cash were

stolen. Shalendra Sinha was charged in connection with the theft and stabbing. He appeared in court

early January 2017.31

.

25/01/2017. Kalokalo.

Yacht. Attempted

robbery.

17

End Notes

1. http://www.maritime-executive.com/article/philippines-continues-to-be-piracy-hotspot

2. https://icc-ccs.org/index.php/piracy-reporting-centre/live-piracy-report/details/158/11 viewed 12/01/2017;

http://www.recaap.org viewed 13/01/2017

3. Ibid.

4. http://interaksyon.com/article/136028/gunmen-massacre-8-fishing-boat-crewmen-off-zamboanga-city

viewed 18/01/2017; https://www.philippinenewsnow.com/pirates-posed-as-fishermen-in-distress/;

http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2017/01/12/Zamboanga-fishermen-killing-suspects-arrested.html viewed

27/01/2017

5. http://www.news.com.au/world/eight-fishermen-found-beheaded-in-boat-in-gruesome-attack-off-the-

philippines/news-story/0bdd4604f4364abcf589517520762945 viewed 27/01/2017;

http://interaksyon.com/article/77539/9-missing-several-wounded-as-badjao-fishers-ambushed-in-

zamboanga-waters

6. http://www.recaap.org

7. http://philippineslifestyle.com/blog/2017/01/14/abu-sayyaf-terrorists-release-south-korean-and-filipino-

hostages/

8. http://philippineslifestyle.com/blog/2017/01/14/abu-sayyaf-terrorists-release-south-korean-and-filipino-

hostages/ viewed 18/01/2017

9. http://awoko.org/2017/01/25/sierra-leone-news-strike-action-at-ports-workers-and-management-meet/

10. https://www.fleetmon.com/maritime-news/2017/16903/freighter-romanian-crew-hijacked-criminal-cartel-a/

viewed 20/01/2017

11. http://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships/shipid:335638/mmsi:620090000/imo:9075462/vessel:ME

RBEY

12. https://gisis.imo.org/Public/SHIPS/ShipDetails.aspx?IMONumber=9075462

13. http://www.noonsite.com/Countries/ReunionIsland/reunion-island-le-port-night-boarding-and-theft-january-

2017 viewed 25/01/2017

14. http://www.oni.navy.mil/Portals/12/Intel%20agencies/piracy/20161019_WTS.pdf?ver=2016-10-20-153730-

023 viewed 21/10/2016; https://news.usni.org/2016/10/11/uss-mason-fired-3-missiles-to-defend-from-

yemen-cruise-missiles-attack viewed 27/10/2016

15. https://www.asket.co.uk/single-post/2017/01/31/UKMTO-Advisory---Warship-Attacked-in-Red-Sea viewed

31/01/2017; http://www.arabnews.com/node/1046911/saudi-arabia viewed 31/01/2017;

https://southfront.org/saudi-al-madinah-class-frigate-was-destroyed-by-houthis-in-western-yemen-video/

16. http://www.oni.navy.mil/Portals/12/Intel%20agencies/piracy/20161019_WTS.pdf?ver=2016-10-20-153730-

023 viewed 21/10/2016; http://defence-blog.com/news/uae-

17. MV SULTAN 2 INTREP ICOD 041600JAN17, EU NAVFOR, Combined Joint Intelligence Op Atalanta

18. Ibid.

19. http://www.janes.com/article/64274/uae-s-swift-hit-by-anti-ship-missile

20. MV SULTAN 2 INTREP ICOD 041600JAN17, EU NAVFOR, Combined Joint Intelligence Op Atalanta

21. Elektrans Group Press Release viewed 31/10/2016; https://icc-ccs.org/piracy-reporting-centre/live-piracy-

map/details/151/1286

22. http://muslimtimes.co/2016/12/28/attack-off-yemen-families-seek-information-about-sailors-fate/ viewed

11/01/2017

23. http://www.noonsite.com/Countries/Yemen/yemen-southern-red-sea-hanish-islands-yacht-shot-at-from-

ashore-february-2016/ viewed 28/07/2016

24. https://icc-ccs.org/piracy-reporting-centre/live-piracy-report/details/151/1255 viewed 25/07/2016

25. http://www.shipping.nato.int

/

Copyright © 2017 L. Joubert

18

End Notes

26. http://www.noonsite.com/Countries/Honduras/honduras-piracy-on-passage-from-puerto-cortez-honduras-

to-roatan-january-2017 viewed 1/02/2017; http://www.kob.com/albuquerque-news/real-life-pirates-

terrorize-new-mexico-man-merchant-captain-mike-brown-honduras/4376301/

27. https://icc-ccs.org/index.php/piracy-reporting-centre/live-piracy-report/details/158/14 viewed 18/01/2017

28. https://www.facebook.com/levoyagedetiamaraa/?hc_ref=SEARCHViewed 25/01/2017

29. http://www.recaap.org

30. http://www.noonsite.com/Countries/Fiji/fiji-suva-armed-attempted-robbery-cruiser-attacked-january-2017

viewed 31/01/2017

31. http://fijisun.com.fj/2017/01/10/man-charged-over-yachtie-attack/

Copyright © 2017 L. Joubert