The following is a summary of the daily reports broadcast by the IMB's Piracy Reporting Centre to ships in Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Ocean Regions on the SafetyNET service of Inmarsat-C from 7 to 13 October 2008.

ALERT

Gulf of Aden
Masters using the Maritime Security Patrol Area (MSPA) while transiting the Gulf of Aden are not relieved of their obligation and should continue to maintain a strict 24 hour look out using all available means to get an early warning of an approaching threat. Early indication of a piratical incident will enable the master to contact the Coalition Navies, the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre and respond appropriately to prevent boarding.

Nigeria
Violent attacks carried out by pirates on board vessels at anchor and vessel carrying out STS operations. Mariners are advised to exercise extreme caution in these waters.

Chittagong anchorage, Bangladesh
The number of attacks has reduced since 2006. However, the area is still listed as a high risk area and mariners are advised to be cautious especially while approaching the anchorage and while at anchor at Chittagong

Suspicious crafts

Recently reported incidents

04.10.2008: 1530 LT: Posn: 03:36.00N – 006:19.50E: 53nm Offshore SW of Bonny River, Nigeria. Pirates armed with guns in a wooden boat approached a chemical tanker underway. Ship increased speed, the boat kept following for two hours before aborting. Master informed authorities.

10.10.2008: 1330 UTC: Posn: 13:06.1N – 047:13.43E, Off Somalia. Pirates attacked and hijacked a chemical tanker underway. Further details awaited.

09.10.2008: 1330 LT: Posn: 02:07S - 043:09E, Off Somalia. Pirates in a speedboat attempted to board a general cargo ship underway. Master took anti-piracy measures and the pirates aborted the attempted attack.

08.10.2008: Posn: 01:18.9N - 104:15.0E, 2.7 nm south of Teluk Ramunia, Johor, Malaysia. Robbers boarded a container ship at anchor. They stole engine spares and escaped unnoticed.

04.10.2008: 0050 LT: Posn: 01:12.3N – 103:54.2E, Singapore Straits. Four pirates armed with long knives boarded a general cargo ship underway while one pirate remained standby in the wooden boat. They gained access to the bridge, tied the hands of one AB to the steering wheel and threatened the second AB to take them to the masters’ cabin. They then damaged the ships’ internal and external communication equipment. Pirates stole ship’s cash and crew properties and escaped. No injuries to crew.

02.10.2008:0745 LT: Posn: 13:07.40N – 048:45.80E: Gulf of Aden. While underway, a suspected pirate mother vessel approached a vehicle carrier. When the range was approximately 3 miles, the mother vessel launched a speedboat. As the speedboat approached, ship’s crew noticed two pirates armed with guns and then noticed another three coming out of hiding with a portable ladder. Vessel took anti piracy measures and evasive manoeuvres. Boarding was averted.