An attempted robbery has been reported aboard a Panama-flagged bulk carrier while underway in the Phillip Channel, Singapore Strait. The Master reported to Port Operations Control Centre four robbers had been spotted boarding the vessel. Nothing was reported stolen, the crew were reported safe, and the vessel did not require assistance. The vessel continued her passage to Singapore.
This is the thirteenth reported incident to occur within the vicinity of the Singapore Strait since the beginning of the year; the first in March. Eight similar incidents were reported in February, in which six of the eight vessels' property was stolen, including scrap metal and engine parts. 58 similar illegal boardings were reported in the vicinity of the Strait last year.
In most cases, robbers were discovered by duty crew and were armed with knives or makeshift weapons, in or near the vessels' engine room. All but seven of these incidents occurred while the vessel was underway.
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