After [the] Tsunami there were no incidents of any kind in the Malacca Straits for two months. However, attacks have resumed since 28.02.2005. In the last two weeks there have been three serious attacks of kidnapping the crew for ransom in [the] Malacca straits. Heavily armed pirates have boarded ships and seized the master and one or two crew members and taken them ashore. Pirates have not stolen any property and sole aim has been to kidnap the crew.
Recently reported incidents
14.03.2005 at 1735 LT in position 04:25.6N — 099:40.7E, Malacca Straits. Several pirates armed with guns in three fishing boats boarded a tug towing a barge. They kidnapped master, c/e [chief engineer] and 3/e [3rd engineer] and escaped. IMB Piracy Reporting Centre alerted Royal Malaysian marine police who sent out patrol boats to escort the tug and barge to port. Whereabouts of the three hostages are unknown.
14.3.2005 at 1336 LT at Chennai outer anchorage, India. A robber climbed up anchor chain of a cable laying ship. Alert crew raised alarm and the robber jumped in to sea and escaped in a boat waiting with five accomplices. Port control informed.
12.03.2005 at 1755 LT in position 03:37.25N - 099:36.75E, 14nm SE of Berhala Island, Malacca straits . Several pirates armed with machine guns and rocket propelled grenades (RPG) boarded a tanker underway. They kidnapped master and chief engineer and left. Pirates ordered the crew not to proceed to Belawan which was her next port. Pirates have demanded ransom for demand has been received and whereabouts of hostages are unknown.
11.03.2005 at 1905 UTC in position 01:15N - 104:05.2E, Singapore straits . Persons in three boats attempted to board a bulk carrier underway. Alert crew raised alarm, activated fire hoses and switched on deck lights. After 15 mins attempted boarding was aborted.
08.03.2005 at 1700 LT in position 13:28N - 048:07E, 30 miles off the coast of Yemen, Gulf of Aden. Two fast boats with four men in each boat approached two yachts underway and opened fire aiming at cockpits. Crew of one yacht returned fire and wounded one pirate. One yacht rammed one of the pirate boats and pirates aborted attempt and fled. Both yachts sustained bullet holes and damage to hull. Description of pirate boats — 30 ft length, blue hulled rib cage with outboard motors.