Landing the Big One

Landing the Big One

Thursday, October 02, 2008

Two pirate attacks off Malaysia

Reported as Pirates attack two vessels in South China Sea and by ReCAAP:
Incident on board the JKM Muhieddine on 30 September 2008
At 0350 hrs on 30 September 2008, at least seven pirates armed with long knives boarded the Panama-registered bulk carrier, the JKM Muhieddine while she was under way in the South China Sea (at about 64 nm east of Pulau Tioman).
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The bulk carrier was steaming at about 11 knots heading towards Singapore when the pirates boarded the ship from her aft. The pirates tied up the ship master and
another crew member with ropes, and stole their money and personal belongings including camera, mobile phones, shoes and clothes. The pirates also went to the chief engineer’s cabin and stole his money. After that, the pirates tied up the ship captain in the aft bollard and left the ship at about 0410 hrs. No injuries were sustained by the crew.
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Incident on board the Sun Geranium on 2 October 2008
At 0220 hrs on 2 October 2008, eight pirates armed with long knives and pipes
boarded the Panama-registered chemical tanker, the Sun Geranium while she
was under way in the South China Sea (at about 70 nm north-east of Pulau
Tioman). Please refer to approximate location of incident in diagram below. The
pirates boarded the tanker from a speed boat, entered the bridge and tied up the
duty AB and the 2nd Officer. The pirates brought the duty AB and the 2nd Officer
to the ship master’s cabin. They also tied up the ship master and took his money.
The ship master and 2nd Officer were then brought to the poop deck of the ship.
The pirates escaped in their speedboat. No injuries were sustained by the crew.

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Although there is no conclusive evidence as yet, it appears that the same group of pirates was probably involved in the two incidents that occurred in the South China Sea on 30 September 2008 and 2 October 2008.

The ReCAAP ISC notes that these were the fifth and sixth incidents that have occurred in the South China Sea area since January 2008.
First map shows general area in question, second map is ReCAAP incident map.

UPDATE: ReCAAP is the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery in Asia (ReCAAP). Background here.

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