On 25 th April 2023, 03:30LT, when anchored at inner anchorage, Luanda, Angola, one Fast Support Intervention Vessel has been boarded by an unknown number of perpetrators; one FRC’s outboard engine robbed. Duty crew spotted the perpetrators as they were escaping in a small boat. Crew reported safe.
ANALYSIS: This is the third incident in Angolan ports this year, with the first reported incident in Soyo, Angola, in March. In 2022, 7 reported incidents out of 43 in the region took place in Angola, all at anchorage, between either Soyo or Luanda Anchorage.
Modus operandi among these incidents remains the same, wherein robbers attempt to access via anchor chains, or by boarding smaller crew/OSV/tug/barge vessels, steal ship properties, then depart on small vessels.
Attacks within the wider region this year have, however, increased from winter; most being robberies at anchorage, and reported incidents at sea; suspicious approaches, hijackings, and attacks.
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