Armed robbers continue to pose a threat to seafarers and shipping off West Africa, despite patrols by local navies. The most recent incidents reported to the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) worldwide 24-hour Piracy Reporting Centre (PRC) include the following.
- Around seven to eight armed pirates in a skiff chased, fired on and tried to board a tanker around 76 nautical miles off Brass, Nigeria on 25 January. The alarm was raised and non-essential crew mustered in the citadel. The master commenced evasive manoeuvres and the pirates moved away.
- Around five to seven armed pirates in a skiff chased and fired on a bulk carrier around 45 nautical miles off Brass, Nigeria on 25 January. The alarm was raised, deck lights switched on, the vessel increased speed and the crew mustered in citadel. Onboard armed guards repelled the attempted attack.
- Pirates fired on a tanker around 35 nautical miles off Brass, Nigeria on 24 January. The alarm was raised, non-essential crew mustered in citadel and the vessel took evasive manoeuvres, which resulted in the pirates moving away.
- Two robbers armed with long knives boarded a tanker anchored at Abidjan, Ivory Coast on 19 January. The alarm was raised and the searchlight directed on the robbers, who escaped with stolen ship’s stores.
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All attacks and suspicious sightings should be reported to the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre, tel: +603 2031 0014 (24 hours), email: imbkl@icc-ccs.org
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