Index

1996 Anti-Shipping Activity Messages (ASAM)

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Anti-Shipping Activity Warning Messages

Date of Occurrence: 04/12/1996 Reference Number: 1996-30
Geographical Subregion: 63
Geographical Location: 6/57/00 N 79/51/00 E
Aggressor: ASSAILANTS
Victim: MERCHANT VESSEL
Description:  
Sri Lanka, Port Colombo. The Sri Lankan Navy and Air Force repelled a 12 April 1996 Tamil "Sea Tiger" suicide attack on the port of Colombo. Rocket propelled grenades and mortar bombs hit two foreign owned vessels and a small locally owned ship caught in the crossfire. The attack consisted of two kamikaze frogmen, followed by two guerrillas. The first diver blew himself up at the entrance to the port, the Navy killed the second while he was in the water. The Navy also destroyed one of the intruding vessels outside the northern entrance to the port. Officals said that the Air Force rushed two MI-24 helicopter gun ships to the scene and tracked the other Guerilla boat about a mile away from the port and destroyed it. Shipping minister M. Ashraff told reporters that there had been no major damage to the port or ships and that the attackers may have been aiming for Liquid Petroleum gas ship gas Tabango which was unloading at the time of the attack. Gas Tabango sustained only minor damage to a water tank.

Date of Occurrence: 04/10/1996 Reference Number: 1996-29
Geographical Subregion: 71
Geographical Location:
Aggressor: ASSAILANTS
Victim: MERCHANT VESSEL
Description:  
Indonesia According to an Antara new agency report from Jakarta on 10 April 1996, Indonesia has sent eight warships and a helicopter to the Natuna Islands after the unidentified gunmen shot and killed the captain of a private boat in the area. The report stated that fishermen have refused to go to the Natuna seas since the assailants in a speedboat shot Captain Saryadi with automatic rifles on 6 April 1996. The killers fled without taking anything from the victim's boat. The news agency quoted Colonel L. Soetanto of the Indonesian Navy as saying the shooting would be investigated fully. Col. Soetanto was further quoted as saying it would be difficult to catch the killers because the shooting occured near the waters of Vietnam, the Philippines, and Malaysia, which were infested with pirates.

Date of Occurrence: 03/30/1996 Reference Number: 1996-28
Geographical Subregion: 63
Geographical Location:
Aggressor: ASSAILANTS
Victim: MERCHANT TANKER
Description:  
Sri Lanka Tamil Tiger rebels sank a Navy boat during an assault on a sea convoy on 30 March 1996. A sea tiger suicide squad rammed their explosive filled boat into a Dvora fast attack craft off the northeastern coast. Ten sailors, including two officers, were killed. Approximately 12 rebel boats conducted the strike on the convoy. Air Force MI-24 helicopter gunships and Pucara ground attack aircraft were called in to help rebuff the attack.

Date of Occurrence: 03/27/1996 Reference Number: 1996-27
Geographical Subregion: 51
Geographical Location: 9/31/00 N 13/43/00 W
Aggressor: ASSAILANTS
Victim: MERCHANT VESSEL
Description:  
Guinea, Africa Seven armed men in a high speed boat attacked the Greek-flagged 13,538 GRT bulk carrier Esperanza at approximately 0130 local time on 27 March 1996. The Esperanza was at the port of Conakry when the robbery took place. There were no injuries; however, the thieves stole US $3,150 and some personal effects.

Date of Occurrence: 03/16/1996 Reference Number: 1996-26
Geographical Subregion: 71
Geographical Location: 3/3/00 N 113/8/00 E
Aggressor: ASSAILANTS
Victim: MERCHANT TANKER
Description:  
Malaysia On 16 March 1996 at 1500 GMT, seven thieves scaled the anchor chain of the Nigeria-Flagged, 85,616 GRT, LNG carrier, LNG Finima and stole some paint from the foward store. LNG Finima was anchored 12.5 miles off Bintulu when the robbers approcahed via two small boats. The thieves fled when a watchstander discovered them and sounded the alarm. The intruders caused no damage to the ship nor harm to the crew.

Date of Occurrence: 03/03/1996 Reference Number: 1996-24
Geographical Subregion: 91
Geographical Location:
Aggressor: ASSAILANTS
Victim: MERCHANT VESSEL
Description:  
Philippines Pirates killed nine of ten crew members and seized the fishing vessel identified as MN-3 Normina off the Basilian Island in the southern Philipines, the military police said on 3 March 1996. Four gunmen in two speedboats shot the crew and towed the fishing vessel to an unknown destination. Reports did not specify how the tenth victim endured.

Date of Occurrence: 02/24/1996 Reference Number: 1996-23
Geographical Subregion: 93
Geographical Location:
Aggressor: ASSAILANTS
Victim: MERCHANT VESSELS
Description:  
Vietnam-Thailand Vietnam accused Thailand of trespassing in its territorial waters and seizing local fishing vessels along with the crews on 24 February 1996. The Vietnam news agency reported that approximately 40 Thai fishing vessels, escorted by Naval Vessels, entered an area off the southern Vietnamese coast on 16 February 1996 and confiscated some local fishing boats. Thailand impounded two additional vessels and crews on 18 February 1996. A report in a Thai newspaper accused the Vietnamese vessels of engaging in piracy. The Vietnamese rejected this assertion and demanded the immediate return of the ships. Vietnam and Thailand have overlapping offshore claims as a result of the 1977 and 1988 unilateral announcements by both countries of their exclusive economic zones.

Date of Occurrence: 02/11/1996 Reference Number: 1996-10
Geographical Subregion: 71
Geographical Location:
Aggressor: PIRATES
Victim: MERCHANT VESSEL
Description:  
ONE OF FOUR PIRATES FROM A HIGH SPEED BOAT ATTEMPTED TO BOARD A VESSEL AT ANCHOR IN TANJUNGPAGAR ANCHORAGE. THE VESSEL'S ANTI- PIRACY SQUAD FOILED THE ATTEMPTED BOARDING.

Date of Occurrence: 02/11/1996 Reference Number: 1996-11
Geographical Subregion: 56
Geographical Location: 31/15/00 N 32/18/00 E
Aggressor: PIRATES
Victim: CIMBRIA
Description:  
INDONESIA Three would be thieves boarded Danish-Flagged , 2000 DWT, Livestock Carrier, Cimbria, in Jakarta Roads on February 11, 1996. The crew cut off the painter line of the Pirate boat forcing the robbers overboard .

Date of Occurrence: 02/10/1996 Reference Number: 1996-16
Geographical Subregion: 92
Geographical Location:
Aggressor: PIRATES
Victim: PHILIPPINE NAVY
Description:  
Subic Bay, Philippines. A Phillipine Naval Patrol spotted a Chinese pirate vessel about five miles from the entrance to Subic Bay and tried to warn it off by firing shots into the air and contacting it by radio. The Chinese ship responded by trying to ram the patrol craft and firing rifles. The intruding vessel attempted to escape but was brought to shore by 3 Phillipine Navy ships. Phillipine investigaton revealed the 20 man "Pirate" crew was entirely Chinese. General Arturo Enrile, Armed Forces Chief, is convinced that the Chinese government had no knowledge of the activities of Chinese pirates in Philippine waters.

Date of Occurrence: 01/27/1996 Reference Number: 1996-1
Geographical Subregion: 63
Geographical Location: 22/35/00 N 89/32/00 E
Aggressor: PIRATES
Victim: BARGES UNDER TOW
Description:  
THE TUG DYNAMIC WAS TOWING THREE WATERMAN LASH BARGES FROM THE ANCHORAGE AREA OF MONGLA (ACROSS BAY OF BENGAL FROM CHITTAGONG, BANGLEDESH) WHEN PIRATES BOARDED THE BARGES AND FORCIBLY REMOVED 11 MOORING LINES.

Date of Occurrence: 01/27/1996 Reference Number: 1996-18
Geographical Subregion: 94
Geographical Location:
Aggressor: ASSAILANTS
Victim: MERCHANT VESSEL
Description:  
Tawain Strait A 4500-5000 ton Taiwanese-owned, Panamanian flagged containership was followed and attacked on a voyage from Indonesia to Kaohsiung around 0930L. An iron-hulled Chinese mainland vessel closed to within 20 to 30 meters and opened fire, after tailing the ship for 3 hours. The attacking vessel was described as a green-colored boat, bearing a Chinese mainland national flag, and a license number of F4404. The captain of the freighter reported seeing at least 4 men in military uniform on board the attacking ship. The freighter was hit several times by machine gun and automatic rifle rounds from the iron hulled craft, causing dammage to the cargo hold, steel plates, and areas near the radar room. Reports differ on who was responsible for the ramming; however, the ships collided, causing the iron-hulled ship to promptly leave the scene. The containership's port side lights were destroyed during the collision.

Date of Occurrence: 01/26/1996 Reference Number: 1996-8
Geographical Subregion: 94
Geographical Location:
Aggressor: ASSAILANTS
Victim: HANGJUNG NO.9
Description:  
ON 26 JAN 96 THE PANAMANIAN-FLAGGED CONTAINERSHIP HANGJUNG NO.9 WAS ATTACKED BY AN IRON-HULLED CHINESE COMMUNIST VESSEL BEARING THE NUMBER F-4404, ABOUT 40NM SOUTHWEST OF MAOPITOU. THE HANGJUNG NO.9 WAS ON A VOYAGE FROM INDONESIA TO KAOHSIUNG, TAIWAN. THE VESSEL WAS HIT SEVERAL TIMES BY MACHINE GUN AND AUTOMATIC RIFLE FIRE CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE CARGO HOLD, STEEL PLATES, AND AREAS NEAR THE RADAR ROOM. THE TWO SHIPS COLLIDED BEFORE THE ATTACKING VESSEL LEFT THE SCENE. During the attack which lasted only ten minutes the thieves pilfered both the Master's safe and the Radio Officer's safe, as well as the cash and property of the crew and watchman, leaving with about USD 10,000 in cash and property. The tanker was laden with a low flash point cargo of ethanol, the fact that all the gunmen were armed with handguns had the makings of a disaster.

Date of Occurrence: 01/22/1996 Reference Number: 1996-15
Geographical Subregion: 92
Geographical Location:
Aggressor: ASSAILANTS
Victim: Philippine Navy
Description:  
Philippines A Philippine Navy gunboat and a Chinese ship engaged in a 90 minute gun battle off Luzon Island during the early morning hours. The encounter began when the Philippine Ships spotted two suspicious vessels 12 miles off Capones Island. The Phillipine gunboat fired a warning shot for the intruders to stop. One boat fled, the other tried to ram the Navy gunboat. A chase ensued, ending when the Philippine Navy boat ran out of fuel and it's guns jammed. The encroaching vessel was described as a People's Republic of China vessel having a bow number of 04420. It was said to be flying a red star flag. One report claimed that military men were on board. Phillipine Navy Chief Vice Admiral Pio Carranza is quoted as saying that the intruders were mostly Chinese pirates and that investigators had ruled out involvement of the Chinese Navy.

Date of Occurrence: 01/21/1996 Reference Number: 1996-4
Geographical Subregion: 61
Geographical Location: 6/50/00 S 39/17/00 E
Aggressor: ASSAILANTS
Victim: MERCHANT VESSEL
Description:  
Tanzania BIMCO REPORTS: On 21 January 1996 a Latvian tanker was boarded by three thieves at 2120 hrs at the Dar-Es-Salaam outer anchorage. The intruders were discovered by the watch officer on the forecastle. Once the ship's alarm was sounded the thieves jumped overboard. Investigations conducted afterwards revealed that some ship's property had been stolen. The Master reported the incident to the port authorities.

Date of Occurrence: 01/21/1996 Reference Number: 1996-14
Geographical Subregion: 92
Geographical Location:
Aggressor: PIRATES
Victim: PHILIPPINE ARMY
Description:  
PHILIPPINES Philippine Army soliders killed three suspected pirates in a gun battle during a chase at sea. The southern command of the Armed Forces of the Phillipines said Army soldiers observed two vessels, carrying a group of fifteen alleged pirates, enroute Sacol Island in Zamboanga Del Sur on January 21, 1996. The pirates opened fire, but retreated as soldiers neared. The suspects outran the soldier's pumpboats and took sanctuary on a nearby island where the military and the Moro National Liberation Front observe a cease fire agreement.

Date of Occurrence: 01/16/1996 Reference Number: 1996-5
Geographical Subregion: 55
Geographical Location: 44/1/00 N 39/46/00 E
Aggressor: ASSAILANTS
Victim: AVRASYA
Description:  
ON 16 JAN 96 A GROUP OF ARMED CHECHEN SYMPATHIZERS HIJACKED THE PANAMANIAN-FLAGGED PASSENGER/RO-RO CARGO/FERRY AVRASYA AT THE TURKISH PORT OF TRABZON. THE VESSEL WAS DIVERTED FROM ITS SCHEDULED PORT OF CALL, SOCHI, RUSSIA TO A COURSE HEADING FOR ISTANBUL, TURKEY. THE HIJACKERS STATED THAT THEY HAD EXPLOSIVES AND THREATENED TO BLOW UP THEMSELVES AND THE HOSTAGES. THEY SURRENDERED PEACEFULLY AFTER FOUR DAYS WITH NO INJURIES REPORTED.

Date of Occurrence: 01/16/1996 Reference Number: 1996-22
Geographical Subregion: 56
Geographical Location: 41/1/00 N 39/46/00 E
Aggressor: ASSAILANTS
Victim: MERCHANT VESSEL
Description:  
Turkey A group of armed Chechen sympathizers hijacked Panamanian-flagged, Passenger/Ro-Ro cargo/ferry avrasya at the Turkish port of Trabzon. The terrorists diverted the ferry from it's scheduled port of call, Sochi, Russia, to a course heading for Istanbul. The pro-Chechen activists stated that they had explosives and threatened to blow up themselves and the hostages. After four days, the four gunmen surrendered peacefully, without a shot being fired. Further investigation revealed an additional five hijackers still on the ferry. All nine were apprehended, are being detained in Istanbul, and will stand trial in Turkey. Within ten hours of the conclusion of the hijacking, Avrasya was enroute back to her home waters in the Eastern Black sea.

Date of Occurrence: 01/05/1996 Reference Number: 1996-3
Geographical Subregion: 24
Geographical Location: 6/49/00 N 58/10/00 W
Aggressor: ASSAILANTS
Victim: MERCHANT VESSEL
Description:  
GUYANA BIMCO REPORTS: ON 5 JANUARY 1996 A LATVIAN REEFER SHIP WAS APPROACHED BY THREE MOTORBOATS AT 2210 HRS AT THE GEORGETOWN OUTER ANCHORAGE. ABOUT FIFTEEN ARMED MEN ABOARD THE MOTORBOATS HAD TO GIVE UP THEIR ATTEMPT TO BOARD THE SHIP AS HER CREW DEFENDED HER BY MANNING THE FIRE HOSES. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE MASTER REPORTED THE INCIDENT TO THE PORT AUTHORITIES.

Date of Occurrence: 01/03/1996 Reference Number: 1996-2
Geographical Subregion: 94
Geographical Location:
Aggressor: ASSAILANTS
Victim: FENG YU MAN NO.1132
Description:  
ON 03 JAN 96 THW KEELUNG-BASED FENG YU MAN NO.1132 WAS HIJACKED BY TWO MAINLAND CHINESE FISHING VESSELS ABOUT 70NM OFF THE KEELUNG COAST OF TAIWAN.

Date of Occurrence: 01/03/1996 Reference Number: 1996-17
Geographical Subregion: 94
Geographical Location:
Aggressor: ASSAILANTS
Victim: FENG YU NO. 1132
Description:  
Tawain Strait The Keelung-based Feng Yu No. 1132 fishing boat was hijacked by two mainland Chinese fishing vessels approximately 70 miles off the Keelung coast. A local radio station stated that the incident was prompted by an argument over the use of fishing nets.

Date of Occurrence: 01/02/1996 Reference Number: 1996-9
Geographical Subregion: 21
Geographical Location: 8/38/00 N 79/2/00 W
Aggressor: PIRATES
Victim: YACHT
Description:  
ON 02 JAN 96 A SLEEPING GERMAN YACHTSMAN RECEIVED THREE GUNSHOT WOUNDS FROM ATTACKING PIRATES. THE ATTACK OCCURRED NEAR CONTADORA ISLAND, OFF PANAMA'S PACIFIC COAST.

Date of Occurrence: 01/02/1996 Reference Number: 1996-19
Geographical Subregion: 28
Geographical Location:
Aggressor: PIRATES
Victim: GERMAN YACHTSMAN
Description:  
Panama A sleeping German yachtsman received three gunshot wounds from attacking pirates. He was reported to be in serious condition at a hosptial on the mainland. The assault occurred near the Contadora island, off Panama's pacific coast.

Date of Occurrence: 12/20/1995 Reference Number: 1996-13
Geographical Subregion: 71
Geographical Location: 1/17/00 N 103/51/00 E
Aggressor: PIRATES
Victim: M/V COURIER
Description:  
Singapore A motorized bumboat approached MV Courier while anchored at the Jurong Petroleum Anchorage, Singapore. The deck watch observed the bumboat tying up the Courier's anchor chain and then saw an intruder climb the anchor train leaving several compatriots in the boat. The intruder ignored challenges issued by the ship's crew until they were told by the ship's company that they would "Let Go" the anchor chain. The robbers quickly untied the bumboat and escaped.

Date of Occurrence: 12/06/1995 Reference Number: 1996-21
Geographical Subregion: 62
Geographical Location:
Aggressor: ASSAILANTS
Victim: KELLY MARIE
Description:  
Southern Red Sea An unknown assailant twice fired upon U.S. flagged yacht Kelly Marie while anchored off the Hanish Islands in the Southern Red Sea. The yacht issued a distress which the USS Monterey picked up and relayed. U.S. officials contacted the Yemeni military and foreign ministry to clear up any misunderstanding as to the identity of the yacht. Kelly Marie reported no injuries and safely departed the area 12/07/95.

Date of Occurrence: 11/27/1995 Reference Number: 1996-25
Geographical Subregion: 62
Geographical Location:
Aggressor: ASSAILANTS
Victim: MERCHANT TANKER
Description:  
Iran Charterers of the Honduran-flagged ocean tug Negin (Of the Buoy Bandar Shipping Agency) reported the vessel and its $700,000 (US) cargo was missing 27 November 1996. On 13 November 1996 the master reported the vessel developing engine trouble and in need of urgent repair. The charterer has not received further communication from the vessel. On 15 November 1996, the Buoy Bandar Shipping Agency informed the charterer the vessel was being repaired off Larak Island, Iran. Private attempts by the charterer to locate the vessel and re-contact the shipping agency have failed. Further investigation revealed Bandar Abbas port authorities took port clearence on the vessel 11 November 1996 for India.

Date of Occurrence: 10/23/1995 Reference Number: 1996-20
Geographical Subregion: 61
Geographical Location:
Aggressor: ASSAILANTS
Victim: EW COOK
Description:  
Somalia A speedboat mounted with a heavy machine gun fired upon a vessel at El-Ma'an port 30km northeast of Mogadishu. The shooting forced the ship to cease unloading livestock and to remove itself from harm's way by anchoring out to sea. Reporting from late November suggests that the Panamanian-Flagged refrigerated cargo ship EW COOK may have been the victim ship. The vessel reported its intent to effect repairs to damage sustained by gunfire while in Mogadishu in October.

Date of Occurrence: 05/21/1995 Reference Number: 1996-6
Geographical Subregion: 93
Geographical Location: 23/5/00 N 113/25/00 E
Aggressor: THIEVES
Victim: MERCHANT VESSEL
Description:  
Huangpu BIMCO REPORTS:A tanker at Huangpu anchorage was boarded by thieves on 21 May 1995 at 0417 hrs. Two crewmen and one officer were on watch at the time of the attack. Initially one motorboat was spotted approaching the vessel. The motorboat came alongside the vessel toward her stern, diverting the crew's attention from a second boat which approached the vessel's bow. Two men from the second boat used ropes to come onboard the ship as the two crewmen on watch ran toward the bow. The thieves were both armed with knives, and one had a handgun. The intended loot was the ship's mooring ropes, however as they were on the winch drums the thieves stole a life raft instead.

Date of Occurrence: 04/28/1995 Reference Number: 1996-12
Geographical Subregion: 73
Geographical Location:
Aggressor: PIRATES
Victim: EQUATOR CRYSTAL
Description:  
Jakarta Maritime thieves boarded Equator Crystal (Singapore Flagged, 9805 DWT Bulk Cargo) during the early morning hours of February 9, 1996. The Cargo ship was anchored in Jakarta waiting for a pilot. The thieves escaped with some engine parts.

Date of Occurrence: 04/23/1995 Reference Number: 1996-7
Geographical Subregion: 24
Geographical Location: 23/56/00 S 46/19/00 W
Aggressor: ASSAILANTS
Victim: MERCHANT VESSEL
Description:  
Santos BIMCO REPORTS: On 23 April 1995 watchmen on board a vessel anchored at the outer roads spotted men at the ship's forecastle at 0145 hrs. As the ship's alarm was sounded the intruders escaped. Subsequent inspections revealed that two containers had been forced open but the contents had not been pilfered.