28 Feb 07 . OFFICE OF NAVAL INTELLIGENCE CIVIL MARITIME ANALYSIS DEPARTMENT WORLDWIDE THREAT TO SHIPPING MARINER WARNING INFORMATION . POC: DAVID PEARL: COMM (301) 669-4905 FAX (301) 669-3247 E-mail dpearl@nmic.navy.mil . SARAH ABOUFASHA: COMM (301) 669-4784 FAX (301) 669-3247 E-mail saboufasha@nmic.navy.mil . 1. This message provides information on threats to, and criminal action against merchant shipping worldwide in the last 30 days. . A. To aid in our reporting, please add the Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) as an information addressee when possible to your normal corporate and organizational reporting requirements. The ONI message address is ONI WASHINGTON DC//11// or, the ONI Violence at Sea (VAS) desk may be contacted at commercial phone (301) 669-4905 or via e-mail at dpearl@nmic.navy.mil. Report may also be made to the National Response Center (U. S. Coast Guard) hotline: 1-800-424-8802 or the Maritime Administration Office of Ship Operations, MAR-613, (202) 366-5735; FAX (202) 366-3954, e-mail: opcentr1@marad.dot.gov. . B. This Worldwide Threat to Shipping Report is posted at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency’s Maritime Safety site: http://www.nga.mil/portal/site/maritime. . C. The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) also publishes a weekly piracy summary, based on reporting from the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Each week's report is published on Tuesday and may be accessed through their web page www.iccwbo.org. . D. Anti-piracy and crime current developments: . 1. MALAYSIA: The director general of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) announced that substantial allocations have been set aside to buy helicopters and offshore patrol vessels, per 06 Feb reporting. It is estimated they will need 116 patrol vessels to attain operational proficiency. Thus far, 70 ships and patrol boats have been supplied by various agencies including the Royal Malaysian Navy and the Fisheries and Customs Department. The 116 vessel target is expected to be met by 2025. In the past year, MMEA has checked more than 400 vessels, resulting in 200 seizures of their consignments or the detention of crew members (LM: New Straits Times, Bernama). . 3. SRI LANKA: Interpol Headquarters in France has issued a Worldwide Arrest Warrant on LTTE Sea Tiger leader Colonel Soosai, per 31 Jan reporting. The arrest warrant, issued on his real name Thillayampalam Sivanesan, has been put out on the backdrop of allegations by Sri Lanka’s Criminal Investigations Department of the Police that he led attacks on naval vessels and civilians in Jun 2006. According to the arrest warrant, Colonel Soosai, alias Sera Osca, alias Makkal Thilakam, was borne 16 Oct 1963, holds Sri Lankan passport No. 1365685 issued on 18 Oct 2004, and holds national identity card No. 632904037V (LM). . 4. AFRICA: The first conference of maritime ministers of African Union countries is due to be held in Abuja, Nigeria on Feb 19-23, per 01 Feb reporting. This is an initiative of the African Maritime Advisory Group of the International Maritime Organization and will have the theme: “The Role of Maritime Transport in Achieving Africa’s Development”. The conference aims to re-examine maritime transport in Africa against the backdrop of the Millennium Development Goals, with particular emphasis on security, safety and environmental protection. The event will have presentations and discussions on port development and management, maritime safety and security, marine environment protection, maritime transport, and shipping capacity (LM, FP). . E. Source codes: Information contained in this report is derived through direct reporting and analysis of reports of other agencies and commercial sources. Source codes will be added to new reports to enable users requiring more detail to make contact. Codes currently in use are: . AFP, Agence France Presse AP, Associated Press BBC, BBC News BIMCO, Baltic and International Maritime Council, Denmark DHS, U. S. Department of Homeland Security DOJ, U. S. Department of Justice DOT, U. S. Department of Transportation FP, Fairplay, London GP, Greenpeace IMB, International Maritime Bureau, London and Kuala Lumpur IMO, International Maritime Organization, London INFO, Informa Group, formerly LLP, Llp Limited, London LAT, Latitud38.com website LL, Lloyd's List, daily, London LM, local media MARAD, Maritime Administration, US MSC, Maritime Security Council, US NATO, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Brussels NGA, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, Navigation Safety System ONI, Office of Naval Intelligence analysis and comment Operator, owner or operator of affected vessel OSAC, Overseas Security Advisory Council USCG, United States Coast Guard RAN, Royal Australian Navy REUTERS, Reuters RNZN, Royal New Zealand Navy STATE, U. S. Department of State TW, Tradewinds . 2. Designation of a high threat area is based on an assessment of all source information relating to the existence of, or potential for piracy and other crime, terrorism, civil unrest or low intensity conflict. Every effort is made to ensure that incidents are not double-counted. In the event double counting is detected or an event is later learned not to be as initially reported, an explanation of the cancellation of the inaccurate report will be made in at least one message prior to dropping the erroneous report. Specific incidents will be reported for one month. . 3. This week's highlights: . A. Tanker boarded, robbed 3 Feb, Lagos Roads, Nigeria (Para 5.G.1.). . B. Gunmen kidnapped two Italians 25 Feb, near Port Harcourt, Nigeria (Para 5.G.2.). . C. UN-chartered aid cargo ship hijacked 25 Feb, off the northeastern coast near Bargal, Somalia (Para 5.H.1.). . D. Sri Lankan Navy destroys LTTE rebel boats, killing 15 27 Feb, evening timeframe 360km Northeast of the capital in the Pulmoddai area, Sri Lanka (Para 5.H.9.). . E. Sri Lankan Navy destroys suspicious boat 28 Feb, 180nm off Dondra Point, Sri Lanka (Para 5.G.10.). . F. US soldiers engaged gunmen attempting to smuggle weapons by boat, 23 Feb, Tigris River, Iraq (Para 5.J.1.). . G. Tanker boarded 18 Feb, SM Balongan, Indonesia (Para 5.K.1.). . 4. Contents and summary of threat areas detailed in paragraph 5: . A. NORTH AMERICA: 1. No current incidents to report. B. CENTRAL AMERICA-CARIBBEAN: 1. No current incidents to report. C. SOUTH AMERICA: 2. Container ship boarded 30 Jan, Bahia de Pozuelos, Puerto la Cruz, Venezuela. D. ATLANTIC OCEAN AREA: 1. No current incidents to report. E. NORTHERN EUROPE-BALTIC: 1. No current incidents to report. F. MEDITERRANEAN-BLACK SEA: G. WEST AFRICA: 1. Tanker boarded, robbed 3 Feb, Lagos Roads, Nigeria. 2. Gunmen kidnapped two Italians 25 Feb, near Port Harcourt, Nigeria. 3. Tug boarded, robbed 8 Feb, vicinity of Forcados River, Nigeria. H. INDIAN OCEAN-EAST AFRICA: 1. UN-chartered aid cargo ship hijacked 25 Feb, off the northeastern coast near Bargal, Somalia. 2. Product tanker reported attempted boarding 8 Feb, 1.5nm off Mogadishu, Somalia. 3. General cargo ship approached 02 Feb, Arabian Sea. 4. Container ship boarded, robbed 29 Jan, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. 5. Vessel attacked, robbed 29 Jan, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. 6. Tug boarded 15 Feb, India. 7. The Indian Coast Guard seized a suspected LTTE explosive laden boat 14 Feb, off the Chennai Coast in the Palk Straits at Kodikarai. 8. The Indian Navy seized boat carrying explosives 13 Feb, off the Rameswaram Coast. 9. Sri Lankan Navy destroys LTTE rebel boats, killing 15 27 Feb, evening timeframe 360km Northeast of the capital in the Pulmoddai area, Sri Lanka. 10. Sri Lankan Navy destroys suspicious boat 28 Feb, 180nm off Dondra Point, Sri Lanka. 11. The Sri Lankan Coast Guard destroyed a seized LTTE boat 20 Feb, Chennai, Sri Lanka. 12. The Sri Lankan Navy destroyed two suspected LTTE boats 15 Feb, Colombo, Sri Lanka. 13. Sri Lanka’s Navy destroyed suspected LTTE boats 12 Feb, 25 miles north of Trincomalee, Sri Lanka. 14. Bulk carrier boarded, attempted robbery 14 Feb, Chittagong Anchorage, Bangladesh. I. RED SEA: 1. Yacht reported suspicious approach 15 Feb, 15 miles northwest of Al Mukha, Southern Red Sea. J. PERSIAN GULF: 1. US soldiers engaged gunmen attempting to smuggle weapons by boat, 23 Feb, Tigris River, Iraq. K. SOUTHEAST ASIA: 1. Tanker boarded 18 Feb, SM Balongan, Indonesia. L. NORTH ASIA: 1. No current incidents to report. M. PACIFIC OCEAN AREA: 1. No current incidents to report. N. ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC NON-STATE ACTIVIST GROUPS: 1. Sea Shepherd vessel (ROBERT HUNTER) and Japanese whaling vessel (KAIKO MARU) collide 12 Feb, Ross Sea. 2. Whaling vessel (NISSHIN MARU) harassed by Sea Shepherd vessels (FARLEY MOWAT) and (ROBERT HUNTER) 09 Feb, Southern Ocean. 3. Bulk carrier (MACIEJ RATAJ) blocked by protesters from entering port of Amsterdam 31 Jan, Netherlands. . 5. DETAILS: There is reported active violence against shipping, a credible threat to shipping, or the potential to develop into a direct threat to the safety of shipping in the following areas: . A. NORTH AMERICA: No current incidents to report. . B. CENTRAL AMERICA-CARIBBEAN: No current incidents to report. . C. SOUTH AMERICA: . 1. VENEZUELA: Container ship boarded 30 Jan, 1945 local time in position 10:15.4N-064:42.5W, Bahia de Pozuelos, Puerto la Cruz. Two robbers boarded a container ship at anchor. The duty crew spotted the robbers and informed the duty officer on the bridge. The alarm was raised and the search was carried out. All the doors and access into the ship was closed down/locked. The attack was unsuccessful (IMB). . D. ATLANTIC OCEAN AREA: No current incidents to report. . E. NORTHERN EUROPE-BALTIC: No current incidents to report. . F. MEDITERRANEAN-BLACK SEA: No current incidents to report. . G. WEST AFRICA: . 1. NIGERIA: Tanker boarded, robbed 3 Feb, 0245 local time in position 06:03.0N - 003:25.5E, Lagos Roads. Five pirates armed with guns boarded the tanker drifting 20 miles off the breakwaters. The pirates threatened the duty AB at forward station by pointing a gun at him. They entered the bosun store. The other duty crew informed the OOW who raised the alarm. The crew mustered. The port control was informed but the call was ignored. The pirates stole from the ship’s stores and escaped in a motor canoe. No one was injured (IMB). . 2. NIGERIA: Gunmen kidnapped two Italians 25 Feb, near Port Harcourt. Gunmen exchanged fire with police escorting two Italian construction-firm workers before seizing the pair. The Italians were kidnapped when gunmen attacked their construction site. The gunmen arrived on board and kidnapped the hostages on speedboats (LM: NCTimes.com). . 3. NIGERIA: Tug boarded while underway 8 Feb, at 1950 local time in position 05:23.4N-005:11.7E, vicinity of Forcados River. Five heavily armed pirates in a speedboat boarded a tug while underway. The pirates ordered the master to drop the anchor and forced all crewmembers and supernumeraries to the bridge. The pirates smashed the master’s head with a bottle. Then, they ransacked the crewmembers’ cabins and took all the personal belongings, the vessel’s property and escaped at 0130 local time. The vessel’s calls for assistance from ashore was ignored by the authorities (IMB). . H. INDIAN OCEAN-EAST AFRICA: . 1. SOMALIA: UN-chartered aid cargo ship hijacked 25 Feb, at 0603 UTC in position 11:50N - 051:35E, off the northeastern coast near Bargal. Suspected Somali pirates armed with AK-47 rifles and rocket-propelled grenade launchers intercepted the M/V ROZEN with a speedboat hijacking the M/V ROZEN along with its crew of six Sri Lankans and six Kenyans, after delivering 1,800 tons of food aid to the towns of Bosasso and Berbera in the Somali region of Puntland. The vessel was empty at the time of attack. Following the hijacking, the pirates anchored the vessel in the waters near the town of Bargal. Three Somali police speedboats surrounded the M/V ROZEN and a U.S. military vessel was also patrolling the area on 27 Feb, to monitor the situation. Later on 27 Feb, conflicting reporting of either 4-6 suspected pirates were arrested by the police after going ashore in the town of Bargal to get food and other items to take back aboard the M/V ROZEN. Four heavily armed pirates still have control of the vessel and the 12 hostages. As of 28 Feb, the M/V ROZEN moved south and has anchored six miles off the coast of the Puntland region. All the glass of the bridge is damaged following a heavy exchange of gunfire between the Puntland Coast Guards and the pirates. All crew members are said to be safe. No ransom has been demanded and negotiations are underway to try and secure the release of the vessel and hostages (IMB, LM). . 2. SOMALIA: Product tanker reported attempted boarding, 8 Feb at 2130 local time in position 02:00.44N-045:20.7E, 1.5nm off Mogadishu. Five pirates armed with guns attempted to board the product tanker at anchor. The master raised the alarm, and the crew mustered and activated the fire hoses. Pirates fired upon the ship and escaped. The master contacted the port control and agent for assistance. Four port security gunmen with a tug came and searched the area at 2245 local time and then boarded the ship. One bullet hit near the starboard navigation light. No injuries to the crew (IMB). . 3. ARABIAN SEA: General cargo ship approached 02 Feb, at 1100 local time in position 10:40N - 062:07E. The general cargo ship was underway when it received a call on VHF from a craft advising she is a Korean fishing vessel asking for fresh water. The Master suspected piracy and raised the alarm and steered away from the craft. The suspicious vessel followed the ship. The Master increased speed at 1210 local time and the vessel aborted the chase. Soon after, another four small high speed crafts approached the suspicious craft while talking/laughing on VHF channel 14. The suspect craft was wooden, painted white and green with a speed of 15-20 knots with no fishing equipment on deck (IMB). . 4. TANZANIA: Container ship boarded, robbed 29 Jan, 0030 local time while at berth in Dar es Salaam. Despite active anti-piracy measures, the vessel was boarded by robbers armed with knives. They took one of the watchman hostage and placed a knife to his throat and threatened him. The robbers stole from the ship’s stores and escaped by jumping overboard. The port authorities were informed and a patrol boat arrived 30 minutes later. A search was carried out, but no arrests were made (IMB). . 5. TANZANIA: Vessel attacked, robbed 29 Jan, at 0030 local time while at berth in Dar-es-Salaam. Despite having three crew keep deck watch supplemented with five local watchmen, robbers boarded the vessel and held a knife to the throat of a shore watchman. The robbers stole two mooring lines and two life buoys. The gangway watchman reported the activity to the port security authorities. The patrol arrived 30 minutes later but the robbers escaped. The next morning, statements were taken from the crew by the port security officer (BIMCO). . 6. INDIA: Tug boarded 15 Feb, 0815 local time in position 12:05N-080:10.7E. Pirates in a fishing vessel approached the tug towing a floating crane underway. The tug tried to take evasive maneuvers but the pirates managed to board the unmanned floating crane from behind. The tug is proceeding to Chennai. No further information on any losses to tug (IMB). . 7. INDIA: The Indian Coast Guard seized a suspected LTTE explosive laden boat 14 Feb, off the Chennai Coast in the Palk Straits at Kodikarai. Two Indians and three Sri Lankan nationals who were in the boat were arrested. Arms such as an AK-56 rifle, five hand grenades, one 24 rounds of AK 56, one explosives vest weighing around 7.5 KG and some chemicals were found on the laden boat (LM: timesnow.com). . 8. INDIA: The Indian Navy seized boat carrying explosives 13 Feb, off the Rameswaram Coast. A boat carrying about 100kg of explosives, which could be used in making land and sea mines, has been seized by the Indian Navy. The seizure included IED, fuse wire, steel clips, remote control equipment, steel washers and aluminum plates, worth several lakhs of rupees, according to police. The boat with a high-power motor, was en route to Talaimannar from Tuticorin on the evening of 12 Feb when a naval patrol vessel intercepted it after it tried to speed away while ignoring signals. Two person on board have been arrested and stated that Tuticorin based LTTE militants’ agents had requested them to ferry the boat until it reached LTTE territory (LM: NDTV.com). . 9. SRI LANKA: Sri Lankan Navy destroys LTTE rebel boats, killing 15, 27 Feb, evening timeframe 360km Northeast of the capital in the Pulmoddai area. The two boats destroyed were among a flotilla of 14 boats moving off the Pulmoddai area. At least 15 rebels were believed to be killed in the attack while two sailors were injured (LM: indiaenews.com). . 10. SRI LANKA: Sri Lankan Navy destroys suspicious boat 28 Feb, 0830 local time, 180nm off Dondra Point. The suspicious vessel did not have a flag, name, or identification markings. The Navy suspecting it to be a LTTE boat engaged in smuggling activities was ordered to stop by firing several warning shots for identification and research. The suspicious boat fired back instead and continued to proceed further South at increasing speeds. The Navy reacted by firing at the boat which exploded instantly amidst a cloud of smoke and fire indicating it was carrying weapons and explosives for the LTTE terrorists, however the identity of the vessel has yet to be established (LM: nationalsecurity.lk, tamilnet.com). . 11. SRI LANKA: The Sri Lankan Coast Guard destroyed a seized LTTE boat 20 Feb, Chennai. The Coast Guard seized the LTTE boat on 13 Feb; at mid sea after finding that the gap between the fibre sheets of the boat was packed with gunpowder and could explode at any time. The boat was towed by the Coast Guard to open water to be blown up. Five persons on board were arrested. During questioning it was said that the boat was packed with ammunition, which could be blown up anytime using a hidden switch which was found after a thorough search of the ship (LM: The Hindu). . 12. SRI LANKA: The Sri Lankan Navy destroyed two suspected LTTE boats 15 Feb, Colombo. The boats were hauling hundreds of thousands of steel balls often used in bombs. Four rebel fighters were believed to be killed. A Navy spokesman reported that divers retrieved 28 bags filled with the steel balls from the sunken boats. Also found was an automatic rifle, ammunition and a satellite phone from the boats. No immediate comment on the sea battle was available from the LTTE (AP). . 13. SRI LANKA: Sri Lanka’s Navy destroyed one suspected LTTE boat and damaged another 12 Feb before dawn, 25 miles north of Trincomalee. The Naval patrol along the Eastern coast observed two suspicious boats moving southwards around 0430 local time. When approached, the suspicious boats fired upon the navy. The Sri Lankan Navy patrol returned fire and completely destroying a boat and severely damaging the other. The boats were equipped with machines guns and 85 horsepower out board motors. It was unclear how many people were aboard the boats but it is suspected that at least 10 LTTE members were killed (REUTERS). . 14. BANGLADESH: Bulk carrier boarded, attempted robbery 14 Feb, at 0415 local time in position 22:16.2N-091:43.7E, Chittagong Anchorage. Robbers boarded the bulk carrier and attempted to steal from the ship’s stores and ropes. As the ropes were secured on winches with wires the attempt failed and they escaped empty handed. The two padlocks were damaged (IMB). . I. RED SEA: . 1. RED SEA: Yacht reported suspicious approach 15 Feb, at 0935 local time in position 13:27N-043:02E, 15 miles northwest of Al Mukha. A 40-meter yacht sighted two small fishing crafts underway carrying five persons each. One craft moved 200 miles ahead of the yacht while the other craft swung around and approached the yacht from the starboard quarter. Anti piracy measures were activated by the yacht. The suspicious craft moved away upon seeing the crew alertness. The craft could have been operating from a mother vessel (IMB). . J. PERSIAN GULF: . 1. IRAQ: US soldiers engage gunmen attempting to smuggle weapons by boat, 23 Feb, Tigris River. The soldiers initially engaged two armed men on the west bank side of Tigris River fleeing in their boat to the east side of the river, where they were joined by three other gunmen. After an initial firefight, the five gunmen took cover in a bunker and a large shipping container along the river bank. They continued firing across the river at the troops. The soldiers returned fire with small arms, and eventually used a tank to destroy the bunker that ended the attack. Three children were found at the scene, one dead. Medical assistance was provided to the other injured children A second child died at the hospital. The incident is under investigation (LM: USCENTCOM). . K. SOUTHEAST ASIA: . 1. INDONESIA: Tanker boarded 18 Feb, 0100 local time in position 06:16.2S - 108:27.7E at SM Balongan. Four robbers armed with knives boarded the tanker discharging at a SBM. They entered the engine room. They were noticed by the duty oiler who informed the duty officer. The alarm was raised and the crew alerted. The robbers escaped empty handed. The crew mustered and a search was carried out but found nothing stolen (IMB). . L. NORTH ASIA: No current incidents to report. . M. PACIFIC-ANTARCTIC OCEAN: No current incidents to report. . N. ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC NON-STATE ACTIVIST GROUPS: . 1. SEA SHEPHERD CONSERVATION SOCIETY: Sea Shepherd vessel (ROBERT HUNTER) and Japanese whaling vessel (KAIKO MARU) collide 12 Feb, Ross Sea. A Japanese fisheries spokesman reported the (KAIKO MARU)’s propeller was damaged and forced to send a distress signal. The founder of Sea Shepherd claimed the (ROBERT HUNTER) had been deliberately side-swiped by the Japanese vessel, leaving a gash in the hull in two places and damaging the ship beneath the water line. On 14 Feb, Sea Shepherd announced it was departing the area due to fuel constraints but would return to the Southern Ocean unless they are delayed in port by international registration requirements. On 15 Feb, the factory whaling vessel (NISSHIN MARU) reported a fire emergency due to an accident unrelated to protest activity. As of 16 Feb, the stricken vessel was latched to two other Japanese vessels while they clear out the smoke, look for a missing crewmember, and assess repair options (REUTERS, AP, Sea Shepherd News, RTTNews). . 2. SEA SHEPHERD CONSERVATION SOCIETY: Whaling vessel (NISSHIN MARU) harassed by Sea Shepherd vessels (FARLEY MOWAT) and (ROBERT HUNTER) 09 Feb, starting at 0530 local time approximately 100 NM ENE of Sturge Island, Southern Ocean. According to Sea Shepherd news releases, six liters of butyric acid was “successfully delivered” onto the flensing deck of the (NISSHIN MARU) and plates have been nailed over the vessel’s scuppers with the use of Hilt nail guns. Japan expressed outrage, terming these activities as “piratical, terrorist acts”. Two Japanese crewmen were reportedly injured, one when he was hit in the face by an empty container of acid, and the other when acid was squirted into one of his eyes. According to Sea Shepherd, two crewmembers from the (FARLEY MOWAT) went missing for eight hours after their Zodiac sustained damage when it struck the side the whaling vessel in heavy seas. After the (FARLEY MOWAT) issued an official maritime distress call for the missing crewmembers, all vessels, including the whaling vessels, worked together to find the missing protesters. After finding the two crewmembers, the master of the (FARLEY MOWAT) thanked the whaling vessels for their assistance then declared they were recommencing their harassment efforts. In a 09 Feb news release, Sea Shepherd reported they were pursuing the whaling fleet in position 66:46S-169:52E, 122 NM ENE of Sturge Island and has requested the Greenpeace vessel (ESPERANZA), believed to be in the area, to join them in their harassment efforts (Sea Shepherd News, REUTERS, AFP). . 3. GREENPEACE: Bulk carrier (MACIEJ RATAJ) blocked by protesters from entering the port of Amsterdam, 31 Jan. Greenpeace activists blocked the coal port to demand tough climate change targets from the new Dutch government and a pledge to stop building new coal-fired power plants. A statement from Greenpeace explained activists seized three cranes at the port to block them from unloading the bulk carrier, carrying 33,750 tons of coal to Amsterdam, while other activists in rubber boats blocked the ship’s path. A spokeswoman said Greenpeace wanted the new Dutch government to put climate change high on its agenda and freeze all plans to build new coal-fired power plants. The spokeswoman stated protesters are prepared to stay for as long as it takes to hear from the politicians in the Hague who are negotiating a new government (LL, TW). . 6. Originator of this WWTTS report requests consumer feedback. Originator will incorporate all anti-shipping events and violence against the maritime industry into this weekly message where appropriate. The Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) can be contacted via message traffic at ONI WASHINGTON DC//11// or, the ONI violence at sea (VAS) desk may be contacted at comm. phone (301) 669-4905 or via e-mail at dpearl@nmic.navy.mil. //