|
It has been reported that three robbers were seen boarding a Singaporean-flagged barge while being towed by a tug in the Eastbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme in the Singapore Strait. The Master reported that a quantity of scrap metal had been stolen. All crew were reported as safe, the vessel did not require any assistance, and continued her journey to Jakarta, Indonesia.
**Coordinates based loosely upon report information** This incident represents the first incident of its type to occur in the immediate area of the Singapore Strait TSS this year. In the previous year, 57 reports of a similar form of the incident were reported.
This area remains a high-risk area for illegal boarding and robbery of international traffic in both lanes of the TSS within the region. The usual form of the incident is robbers boarding undetected at night or early morning. They proceed to be discovered armed with knives, or makeshift/expedient weapons, and in or near the vessels' engine room or alternatively be discovered as attempts to de-board the ship is underway. Upon this point, most escape, and the ship proceeds on its voyage without assistance.
|
