Attacks On Ships At Anchorage Heightened In Manila Bay

There are growing cases of attacks on  crew aboard vessels at berth in Manila seaport, even as valuable items and working tools are being carted away by perpetrators.

The latest incidents as at August 13th 2021 has bring the total number of attacks to eight on vessels at anchorage in Manila Bay since the beginning of the year.

 

Shipowners and terminal  operators have been  cautioned to ensure preventive and precautionary measures of armed attacks on containerships at anchor in Manila Bay.

Further breakdown of attack at the port, include  17 July at 0125 hrs the Maersk Njussfjord was boarded and the perpetrators point a homemade handgun at the duty watcher’s head and tied him to the ship’s railing.

Seven more perpetrators boarded the vessel and stole a mooring line rope.

On 4 August at 2140 hrs three armed robbers boarded the containership Seaspan New York and were spotted by the ship’s duty crew.

One of the perpetrators attempted to stab the duty crew, who was able to evade the attack, but was then tied up by two other perpetrators.

The robbers stole two portable welding machines with cables, 20 reefer cables, three bronze nozzles, and five hydrant caps, and left the vessel before the alarm could be raised.

On 13 August the CMA CGM Cai Mep was boarded at 0130 hrs by five robbers and one pointed a gun at the duty watcher when they were spotted.

They ordered the duty watcher to open the storage room and stole 20 buckets of paint. A deck cadet who went in search of the missing duty watcher was also threatened with a knife but was able to escape.

Given international restrictions on crew change vessels have been sailing to the Philippines and anchoring in Manila Bay to undertake exchanges of seafarers.

ReCAAP said was concerned about the continued incidents and the increased level of violence used.

“Ship masters and crew are strongly advised to exercise vigilance, maintain constant look-out for suspicious boats and report all incidents immediately to the local authorities.

It is also very important for the crew not to engage in a confrontation with the perpetrators,” it warned