ALERT - Somalia – East and NE coast Nine incidents have been reported since July 16 2005. Heavily armed pirates are now attacking ships further away from the coast. The most recent incident took place 120 nm off the eastern coast. Ships are advised to keep as far away as possible from the Somali coast.Recently reported incidents
[August 12 2005] at 1850 UTC at Balikpapan coal terminal, Indonesia. Four robbers armed with crowbars boarded a bulk carrier by climbing forward mooring ropes. They broke forward store lock and stole ship's stores and equipment. Duty A/B raised alarm and robbers fled in a white speedboat.
[August 11 2005] between 2100 - 2359 LT at Ao Chalong Bay, Phuket, Thailand. Unknown persons boarded and hijacked a moored yacht. Marine police searched the area without success. Description, name - Switch Blade, one diesel engine, length 44 ft, hull - Ferrari red with white marking, deck-grey. Yacht was subsequently found on August 13 2005 off Koh Lanta, Thailand.
[August 10 2005] at 0800 LT off Ktubdia Island, Bangladesh. A group of pirates in five trawlers armed with guns boarded a tug towing a tanker for scrap. Pirates stole stores and property from the tug and tanker. Tug sent out a message for help and a coast guard vessel arrived on scene. They detained the pirates and five trawlers and recovered stolen items.
[August 10 2005] at 0001 LT at 00:33.1N - 117 43.7E, Tanjung Bara Anchorage, Indonesia. Robbers boarded a bulk carrier. They broke padlock of fore peak locker and stole ship's stores.
[August 09 2005] at 0035 UTC in position 17:52.4N - 076:47.1W, Kingston Outer Anchorage, Jamaica. Four robbers in an unlit boat tried to board a container ship. Deck Officer raised alarm, sounded whistle and crew mustered and robbers aborted boarding. Ship heaved up anchor and moved out of anchorage area.
[August 05 2005] at 1220 LT Laguna Grande, Venezuela. Three robbers armed with machetes boarded a yacht at anchor and started lowering the dingy. Skipper confronted one robber who slashed him with machete. Robber jumped into water and with his accomplices and started taking the dingy. Skipper pursued them but robbers repeatedly slashed him with machetes causing severe injuries. Skipper's colleague onboard contacted authorities and armed guards arrived and took skipper ashore for hospital treatment. Subsequently, stolen dingy was recovered.