While underway in the Singapore Strait, the crew of the Hong Kong-flagged Bulk Carrier CAPE STAR (IMO: 9509748) observed four to five perpetrators in the engine room, with three armed with long knives and one with a gun-like object.
The master raised the alarm, and the crew conducted a search, but no perpetrators were found. Engine spare parts were stolen, but all crew members were accounted for, and no injuries were reported.
The master reported the incident to Singapore Vessel Traffic Information System (VTIS). Safety broadcasts were initiated to alert ships in the area to maintain vigilance. The Republic of Singapore Navy's Maritime Security Task Force (MSTF) and Singapore Police Coast Guard (PCG) were notified, and information was shared with Indonesian authorities. Upon arrival at Singapore anchorage, the PCG boarded the vessel, conducted a security search, and found no perpetrators onboard.
This incident brings the total number of confirmed incidents in the region to at least 46 this year, with 33 of those incidents exhibiting similar characteristics and occurring within the Singapore Strait area.
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