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Monday 19 February 2024 to Monday 26 February 2024 |
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Dear
Please find below our most recent Weekly Maritime Report. If you have any queries about our reports please contact us at africaops@castorvali.com
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Total no of incidents: 05 |
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Incident mapping - Overview |
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Threat Level
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Total of Incidents
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- One alert reported this week.
- Suspicious Approach of a merchant vessel West of Guinea-Bissau in Gulf of Guinea on 22 of Feb.
- Incident underlines continued risk faced by vessels and their crew members operating in this area, and the inability of regional authorities to respond expeditiously.
- The MDAT-GoG issued an advisory on 12 December 2023 warning of a Pirate Action Group (PAG) operating in the Gulf, and ships in the area are advised to be vigilant and report any suspicious activities.
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Date
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Time
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Incident Type
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Latitude
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Longitude
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20/02/2024
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2250 UTC
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Suspicious Approach
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11° 24' 3"N
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18° 49' 60"W
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On February 20th, at 2250 UTC, a merchant vessel reported a suspicious approach by a single craft. The vessel implemented Best Management Practices to Deter Piracy in the Western Indian Ocean (BMP WA) procedures, causing the craft to abort its approach. The vessel and her crew are reported to be safe.
Analysis: This is the second incident reported outside of ports and anchorages in the Gulf of Guinea since the Tuvalu-Flagged Tanker HANA I was attacked and nine crew members kidnapped near Malabo, Equatorial Guinea on 1 January 2024.
The MDAT-GoG issued an advisory on 12 December 2023 warning of a Pirate Action Group (PAG) operating in the Gulf, and ships in the area are advised to be vigilant and report any suspicious activities.
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West Africa Weekly Comparison |
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2023-2024 West Africa Monthly Comparison |
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Threat Level
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Total of Incidents
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Three alerts reported this week.
- Suspicious Vessel Sighting Near Qalhat Liquefied Natural Gas Terminal, Oman on 23 Feb.
- Attack on Cargo Vessel in Gulf of Aden on 22 Feb.
- Attack on Bulk Carrier in Gulf of Aden on 19 Feb.
Two alerts previous reporting period
- Attack on Bulk Carrier in Red Sea on 18 Feb.
- Report of Live Fire Exercise off Pakistan coast 20 -21 Feb.
Attacks continue to escalate in both frequency and in targeting of non-Israeli linked vessels, posing significant risk to vessels transiting Northern Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Red Sea.
Spillover effects have been indicated with recent spikes of Somali based piracy, in addition to piracy in unusual locations.
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Date
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Time
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Incident Type
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Latitude
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Longitude
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23/02/2024
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0000 UTC
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Suspicious Approach
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23°10'0.00"N
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64°4'60.00"E
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An advisory from UKMTO reports a vessel sighting three small crafts, each with three individuals onboard, as well as one large craft. The group was spotted approximately 175NM East of the Qalhat Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminal in Oman. The vessel that reported the sighting has deemed it suspicious.
Analysis: This report has been seemingly confirmed by an independent third party. No further details are available at this time. Vessels are advised to proceed with caution and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO.
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Date
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Time
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Incident Type
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Latitude
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Longitude
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22/02/2024
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0742 UTC
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Attack
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12°20'.60"
N
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45° 59' 1"
E
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Recent open- and closed-source reports indicate that Palau-flagged General Cargo ship ISLANDER (IMO: 9136565) caught fire after being hit by a projectile while it was about 60NM Southeast of Aden, Yemen.The U.K.-owned, vessel was reportedly attacked by two anti-ship ballistic missiles fired from Southern Yemen into the Gulf, and suffered one minor injury to a crew member and minor damage to the vessel. In response, coalition forces responded and are taking action. The ISLANDER and her crew are reported to be safe and are continuing to their next destination.
Analysis: The Associated Press has reported that the ISLANDER had been heading from Thailand for Egypt, and previously sent out messages saying "SYRIAN CREW ON BOARD" potentially to avoid being targeted by the Houthis. Earlier in the day, U.S. aircraft and a coalition warship shot down six Iranian-backed Houthi One-Way Attack (OWA) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) in the Red Sea. The OWA UAVs were identified by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) as likely targeting U.S. and coalition warships and were an imminent threat.
This attack comes only three days after a Houthi attack on the U.S.-owned, Greece-flagged Bulk Carrier, SEA CHAMPION 100NM East of Aden, Yemen. The SEA CHAMPION was carrying corn from Argentina to Aden when an object impacted the water and exploded between 10 and 15 meters from the Starboard side of the vessel. Reports suggested evidence of shrapnel, and damage to the vessel's paintwork and windows.
Vessels are advised to proceed with caution and report any suspicious activities to the UKMTO.
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Date
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Time
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Incident Type
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Latitude
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Longitude
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19/02/2024
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2309 UTC
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Attack
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12° 31' 54"N
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46° 34' 12"E
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The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported an attack on Greece-flagged Bulk Carrier, SEA CHAMPION (IMO: 9299915) 100NM East of Aden, Yemen.
The Master of the vessel reported an explosion near the ship, but confirmed that the crew and vessel are safe and were continuing to their next port of call. Additional reports revealed that the SEA CHAMPION had been attacked again around 11:50 UTC, with an object impacting the water between 10 and 15 meters from the Starboard side of the ship. The UKMTO reported evidence of shrapnel and damage to the vessel's paintwork, and there are unconfirmed reports of damage to windows. The U.S.-owned Bulk Carrier (New York-based MKM Chartering) was carrying corn from Argentina to Aden, and arrived in the southern Yemeni port on Tuesday.
Analysis: This attack comes less than a day after the Houthi attack on the British-owned, Belize-flagged Bulk Carrier RUBYMAR, which was hit by missiles in the Gulf of Aden on Sunday, requiring her crew to evacuate onto another vessel. This incident is currently under investigation by authorities. Vessels are advised to proceed with caution and report any suspicious activities to the UKMTO.
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Date
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Time
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Incident Type
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Latitude
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Longitude
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18/02/2024
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2000 UTC
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Attack
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12° 37' 0"N
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43° 22' 0" E
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[Previous Reporting Period]
Recent reports have indicated that a Belize-flagged Bulk Carrier, RUBYMAR (IMO: 9138898) was attacked approximately 35NM south of Al Mukha, Yemen. The ship's Captain confirmed an explosion near the vessel, causing some damage. However, all crew members are reported safe, and no fires reported onboard.
Analysis: Subsequent reports stated the vessel had sunk due to the damage, with all crew members safe on three life rafts. However, later clarification revealed that the Bulk Carrier had not sunk. It was hit by a missile, causing the main engine room to take on water and putting the vessel at risk of sinking.
The twenty-four crew members and the onboard Armed Security Team (AST) have been transferred from the life rafts to another commercial vessel that provided assistance earlier. The British-registered, Lebanese-operated RUBYMAR had reportedly been on its way to Bulgaria after leaving Khorfakkan in the United Arab Emirates.
This incident is currently under investigation by authorities. Vessels are advised to proceed with caution and report any suspicious activities to the UKMTO.
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Previous Reported Incident |
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Date
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Time
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Incident Type
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Latitude
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Longitude
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18/02/2024
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1050 UTC
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CAUTION
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25° 5' 52"N
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62° 22' 16" E
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[Previous Reporting Period]
The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has announced that a Live Weapon Firing Exercise will take place on the 20th and 21st of February 2024.
The safety range for the exercise is 20,000 kilometres, with firing arcs set at 130-220 degrees (clockwise) from 03:00-12:00 UTC.
Ships and other vessels are advised to steer clear of the designated danger area during the specified schedule.
All vessels in the area are urged to stay alert and report any incidents to the UKMTO. Additionally, any interference noted on radios, radars, or GPS systems should be reported to the UKMTO.
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Indian Ocean Weekly Comparison |
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2023-2024 Indian Ocean Monthly Comparison |
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Threat Level
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Total of Incidents
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- One alert reported this week.
- Armed intruders sighted on board vessel en route to Singapore on 19 Feb.
- One alert previous reporting period
- Robbery of anchored LPG Tanker near Chattogram, Bangladesh on 18 Feb.
- Overall decrease in reports in region - 7 this year to date.
- Despite decrease, Phillip Channel remains key area of robberies and boardings within Singapore & Malacca Straits.
- There were at least 67 incidents reported in the vicinity of Singapore Strait in 2023, and 58 in 2022 of which occurred in, or near, the TSS.
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Date
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Time
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Incident Type
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Latitude
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Longitude
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19/02/2024
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19:05 UTC
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Robbery
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1°8'16."N
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103°29'9"E
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While in transit near Singapore, the Hong Kong-flagged General Cargo vessel TOP DILIGENCE (IMO: 9767895) reported an incident involving four individuals armed with an object resembling a firearm in the engine room.
The alarm was promptly activated and the crew assembled. Despite a thorough search, the intruders were not located again. At approximately 03:36LT, the ship's captain reported the theft of some spare parts, but confirmed the safety of all crew members and declined further assistance.
The vessel's previous port of call was in Ivory Coast and it was heading towards Singapore Anchorage.
Analysis: This is the fourth reported incident this year which occurred within the wider Singapore & Malacca Straits region. In 2023, at least 67 incidents occurred within, or near, the Singapore & Malacca Straits.
Incidents in this area typically involve individuals armed with small knives or blunt objects. These robbers usually escape on detection, with stolen ships' properties, stores or cargo, with minimal violence occurring between crew and robbers.
However, based on the volume of incidents, vessel's operating in this region should remain vigilant, implement proper security measures, and report any suspicious activities to authorities.
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Previous Reported Incident |
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Date
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Time
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Incident Type
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Latitude
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Longitude
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18/02/2024
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1955 UTC
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Robbery
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21°49'0"N
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91°42'48"E
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[Previous Reporting Period]
While the vessel was at anchor, the Sri Lanka-flagged LPG Tanker GAS COURAGE (IMO: 9172131) was boarded by nine individuals from a local boat. The watchman was restrained and the ship's stores were stolen.
The incident was promptly reported to the local authorities in Bangladesh who responded swiftly, apprehending all nine individuals involved. The stolen items from the ship were recovered by the authorities and returned to the vessel.
Analysis: This is the first reported incident in this area this year. The last reported incident in this area was a Robbery during the early hours of 24 May, 2023 aboard the Indian-flagged Tanker SUCCESS (IMO: 9285718).
Six perpetrators boarded the ship and made off with ten cans of paint. All stolen items were also recovered by the Bangladesh Coast Guard (BCG), and stolen items were handed over to the Master.
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Southeast Asia Weekly Comparison |
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2023 - 2024 Southeast Asia Monthly Comparison |
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Threat Level
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Total of Incidents
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- No alerts reported this week.
- Last reported incident was a robbery of anchored bulk carrier in Callo Anchorage, Peru, on the 16th of Nov.
- Callao Anchorage, Peru remains an area where there is a higher frequency of reported incidents in the region; specifically, commercial vessels at anchor.
- Among the 12 incidents reported this year in the Americas, 8 occurred within Callao Anchorage; all between 0000-0800 hrs UTC.
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Date
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Time
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Incident Type
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Latitude
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Longitude
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16/11/2023
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0540 UTC
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ROBBERY
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11° 58' 60.00"S
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77° 13' 0.00"W
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[Last Reported Incident]
Reports indicate that a Bulk Carrier anchored at Callao, Peru was boarded by two armed robbers who stole from the ship's stores at the forward station. The incident was reported to the local port authorities. All crew members are confirmed to be safe.
Analysis: This is the eighth incident of this type to be reported in Callao anchorage this year, with eight similar incidents occurring in the anchorage last year. In most reported cases in this area, robbers were armed with knives and were able to escape with ship's and/or crew property.
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Americas Weekly Comparison |
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2023 - 2024 Americas Monthly Comparison |
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Weekly Alert Comparison by Area |
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2023 - 2024 Overall Monthly Comparison |
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All findings are predictive and estimative. To communicate these findings clearly and in order to accurately compare threat levels, the report uses a variation of terminology used by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO).
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Piracy: CV has adopted the definition of piracy similar to that given in the BMP. Content within this document uses the term ‘piracy’ which includes all violent and non-violent acts against vessels, her crew and cargo which have taken place either in internal waterways, territorial waters or deep offshore. CV classifies piracy incidents into six categories:
Hijacking – Crew lost control of the vessel for a sufficient period of time and then pirates kidnapped at least one crewmember and/or passenger(s).
Pirate Attack – Vessel was attacked with gunfire or RPG fire and/or then boarded the vessel with the intent to hijack and/or kidnap at least one crewmember(s) and/or passenger(s).
Robbery – Vessel is boarded with criminal intent, theft does not have to occur.
Suspicious approach/vessels – Suspicious activity reported (i.e. a vessel was approached by unidentified craft with one or more persons on board) or sighting of firearms and boarding equipment on board a suspicious vessel and/or sighting of a confirmed pirate mother ship.
General Alert – A reported incident has been released by authorities to notify seafarers of a possible incident which is still being investigated/confirmed. This can also be a warning of an imminent Danger to seafarers.
Caution – An unconfirmed warning of an incident that could affect seafarers.
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With our head office in the UK, and regional offices in East, West and South Africa, the Castor Vali Group specialises in International
Protective Services, Corporate Security and Risk Management services to governments, multinational organisations and the energy
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Disclaimer
You have received this report as part of your organisation’s subscription. Castor Vali assessment and advice is given based on the information received and processed by us and the surrounding circumstances known to us to exist at the time. Subsequent changes to relevant information or the surrounding circumstances may affect the reliability of our assessment and advice, but we do not accept responsibility for that effect. We do not accept responsibility for the outcome of any action taken or not taken as a result of our assessment and advice unless the possibility of that action being taken or not taken is set out in specific terms in our instructions.
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