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Three vessels have been boarded today in close proximity with each other within 4-10 nm while underway in the eastbound lane of the Straits of Malacca and Singapore within an interval of three hours, piracy watchdog ReCAAP said.

At about 0221 hrs, a Brazil-registered bulk carrier, Densa Shark was underway at approximately 1.1 nm south-southwest of Pulau Takong Kecil when three perpetrators armed with knives were sighted in the engine room. The crew immediately raised the alarm and conducted a search. No perpetrators were found onboard and nothing was missing, ReCAAP said.

Within two and a half hours later, a Norway-registered LNG tanker, Clipper Posh was underway at approximately 3.9 nm northeast of Pulau Takong Kecil when five perpetrators were sighted in the engine room. The crew raised the alarm immediately and the master conducted a search for the perpetrators but none was found. Nothing was missing.

Less than half an hour later, the crew of a Panama-registered tanker, Pro Triumph sigted five perpetrators in the engine room, while the ship was underway at approximately 6.9 nm southwest of Pulau Takong Kecil. The Chief Engineer and 1st Engineer were tied, and some generator spares parts were stolen. The alarm was raised and the perpetrators fled.

“In all three incidents, the perpetrators were sighted in the engine room, an indication that the vessel’s engine spare items were targeted. Considering the close interval of time and proximity of these incidents (between 4 nm and 10 nm), although not substantiated at this juncture, the perpetrators could possibly be from the same group,” ReCAAP said.

The organization said that even though these incidents were deemed as ‘petty theft’ in nature, it warrants ships to pay greater attention to shipboard security as access/authorized boarding has been breached. Notably, vessels were more vulnerable particularly those with low free board and navigating at slower speed when negotiating a turn in the area.

“Enhanced vigilance, early detection of perpetrators and activation of the alarm immediately are some of the key actions towards preventing boarding. However, should boarding takes place, immediate reporting to the nearest coastal State are encouraged,” ReCAAP added.