PIRATES & ARMED

ROBBERS

Part A : High Risk Areas

Part B : The Typical Attack
Part C : Preventing Attack
Part D : In The event of Incident
Part E : After an Attack

High risk areas

General
South east Asia
Indian subcontinent
West Africa
East Africa
South America

Part B : The Typical Attack

Organized Crime
Quasi Military & Terrorist Attacks

Part C : Preventing an attack

Preventive Measures
The IMO ISPS Code
General advices
Access control
Watches and Patrol
Drill s and Training

Part D : In the event of incident

Detecting Raiders (Perampok)
If Raiders have boarded

Part E : After an attack

Reporting
Other follow up Action
Annex ! : IMB piracy reporting center contract
Details
Annex II : IMO attack / Incident reporting format
Annex III : Training of ship security officers
required by ISPS Code

Typical Attack
Although no two attacks are exactly the same
they usually fit into one of the three following
categories :
Opportunistic theft by person who manage to
gain access to the vessel
Planned robbery along side or under way
targeted mainly the crew personal effect and
ship equipment
Permanent hijacking of ship and cargoes with
crew sometimes being cast adrift held to
ransom or even murdered

Avoiding piracy attack

Usually the robbers come on board during the
hours of darkness , particularly between 0100
0600 , however vigilance is required
However this is should never be a reason to
avoid calling for assistance from the local agent
or local authorities
Rather than simple robbery the motive for such
attacks may be seizure of the ship it self
Action of the Master will clearly depend on the
specific nature of the attack

Preventive Measures
Identifying suspicious persons or craft
approaching the vessel at the earliest
possible moment
Ensuring by means of light ,alarms , crew
activity that potential robbers are aware
that they have been detected
Preventing robbers gaining access to ship
Ensuring the safety of the ship crew and
passenger
Ensuring that if boarders do gain access
the opportunity to steal the cargo ,stores
or personal effects is minimized

Master Decision
The Master will wish to have the safety of
personnel in mind when determining the
extent to which force should be used to
deter attacks by armed robber
Furthermore it is the Master right to take or
execute any decision which in his
professional judgment is necessary to
maintain the safety and security of the ship
In generally recommended that fire arms
should not be issued to crew member

Reduce the threat of attack

Identification of restricted areas
Measures for the prevention of
unauthorized access to the ship
Procedures for responding to security
threats or breaches of security
Procedures for evacuation in case of
security threats or breaches of security
Duties of shipboard personnel assigned
security responsible & other shipboard
personnel on security aspects

Continued .
Procedures for training , drills and exercise
associated with the plan
Procedures for reporting security incident
Identification of the company security officer ,
including 24 hours contact details
Use of the ship security Alert System
Note :
Contracting government to SOLAS are
recommended to establish 24 hours contact
point from which ship may request security
advice and communicate information regarding
threats to security to ship flying their flag or
operating in their territorial water

Responsibility of Government
Government responsible to establish
security levels for ship flying their flag and
to inform the vessel intending to enter their
territorial water or port of the relevant
security level pertaining to them
Flag state should provide specific advice
on action to be taken in accordance with
the three maritime security level (MARSEC)
defined by the ISPS code

Master overriding authority

The Master has overriding authority and
responsibility to make decision with respect to
the safety and security of the ship and is within
his right to implement measures which he feels
are in their interest
The Master to implement certain measures that
would normally come into force when operating
at a higher security level when he feel it is
necessary

General Advice
The following industry guidance
incorporates relevant section from Part B
of the ISPS code , it is intended that the
guidance in conjunction with the specific
Ship Security Plan (SSP) will help
significantly to reduce the risk of attack
when operating in dangerous sea lanes ,
ports or anchorages

Be Vigilant (waspada)
The majority of attacks will be deterred if
the robbers are aware that they have been
observed , and that the crew has been
alerted & is prepared to resist attempts to
board
Ensure that crew members are constantly
seen to be moving around the vessel ,
making random rather than predictable
patrols

Avoid High Risk Areas

Wherever possible avoid high risk areas &
route ships away from areas where
attacks have frequently & recently
occurred
Attempt to avoid remaining in anchorage
in high risk areas
Attempt to arrive in port during daylight
hours or schedule arrival when a berth is
likely to be available

Access Control
Wherever possible access should be
restricted to a single controlled point on
the ship
Check and record the identities of all
persons trying to gain access to the ship &
check their reason for doing so its the
right of the Master to refuse access to any
one who in his opinion has not provided
sufficient proof to warrant boarding

Continued .
All person intending to board should be liable for
searching & in high risk areas the frequency of
such searches should be increased
Photographing those who board can act as a
deterrent or assist the identification of attackers
In liaison with the port authorities , a secure area
should be provided where the monitoring of
person requesting access should be carried out
In high risk areas visitors to the ship should be
accompanied by a crew member at all time
Trading between crew & locals on board ship
should be provided

Continued ..
When in port access to the ship should be
restricted to one point , All persons who
are admitted on board should be identified
and have their names recorded
Crew member should be advised not to
discuss the voyager or cargo particulars
with person unconnected with the ship
business
Caution should be exercised when
transmitting information on cargo or
valuable on board by radio

Seal off means of access to the ship

Waterside access to the ship should be
prevented , Hawse pipe plates should be
fitted , doors , hatches and other openings
locked
Ensure that ropes or wires do not hang
unnecessarily over the sides of the ship
All unattended areas adjoining those to
which visitor & crew have access should
be locked and secured
All restricted areas should be clearly
marked

Reduce opportunities for theft

Remove all portable equipment from deck
so far as possible stow containers
containing valuables door to door and tiers
Seal off access to the accommodation
Avoid carrying large amount of cash on
board
Spray water over the stern deck where it is
easiest for attackers to board
Maintain a constant supply of water to the
hawse pipe

Establish a secure area or areas

If large numbers of armed robbers
succeed in boarding the ship it may be
essential for crew members to retreat to a
secure area or areas
Crew members do not open their cabin
doors unless they are certain that its safe
to do so
Thoroughly check compartment before
leaving port

Watches and Patrols

Maintain a 24 hours visual & security patrol
Keep special look out for approaching small craft
or fishing boat
Maintain a constant deck watch & exhibit clear
sign of alertness , sweeping surrounding waters
with search light periodically
The gangway watch should be fit and capable ,
ensure gangway watch linked by two way radio
Where threats have been identified additional
specific security briefing should be provided to
all personnel , emphasizing the procedures for
reporting suspicious person ,objects or activities
and stressing the need for increased vigilance

Strengthen Night Watches

Strengthen watches especially around the rear
of the vessel and particularly between the hours
of 0100 0600 when most attacks occur , with
continuous patrol linked by hand held two way
radios to the bridge
If possible an additional officer should assist the
normal bridge watch keepers at night
Provided a dedicated radar and visual watch for
a small craft which might attempt to maneuver
alongside and to allow the watch keepers to
concentrate on normal navigation duties

Provide maximum lighting

Deck and over side lights particularly at
the bow & stern can be used to good
effect to illuminate the deck and waters
beyond and to dazzle potential boarders
Search light should be available on the
bridge wings , torches light should carried
by security patrol
When in port or a designated anchorage
the ship personnel should be able to
detect activities beyond the ship

Establish Radio (VHF) contact

Agree emergency signal specifically for
attacks with :
Crew (using hand held two way radios)
Ships in the vicinity
Shore authorities
Some ship may even consider fitting an
emergency VHF set away from the bridge
or radio room and the Master cabin which
are often the first stage

Drills and Training

Inform crew of the ship security plan
Hold training exercise , particularly when
about to enter potential danger areas , and
ensure that all crew members are fully
briefed on the action to take in the event of
an attack by armed robbers
Crew should be proficient in all assigned
security duties at all security level and able
to identify any security related deficiencies
which need to be addressed

In the event of an Incident

Activating the ship security alert system

Calling emergency station
Evacuating the ship
Acting on instruction given by the contracting
government at Marsec level 3
The first person to sight a potential attack should contact
the watch keepers on the bridge , adhere so far as
possible to the SSP
Sound a general alert and turn the PA system if possible
Alert shore authorities and other ship in the vicinity
Switch on deck and over side lighting
Seek to establish direct communication with CSO and
whose responsible in the flag state for responding to
security threats
Operate fire rockets and flares
Switch o all on board surveillance equipment capable of
recording activities on or in the vicinity of the ship

If Raiders Have Boarded

Dont be heroic
If possible the crew remains in control of the
navigation of the ship
Avoiding the crew separated from their
colleagues
Report the situation by radio and seek assistant
Avoid coming between the raiders and their craft
since this is likely to increase the risk and injury
In the event of raiders gaining the ship , if
possible seek to negotiate with them with the
aim of maintaining control over the navigation of
the ship

Part E : After an Attack

In case of ship attack on piracy or robbery the
Master should always make an immediate
formal report to the relevant shore authorities in
whose port or water the attack occurred , even
the action taken by the ship is successful in
preventing the robbers from boarding , &
reporting of security incident will be contained
within the SSP
If attack in international water the report should
submitted to the nearest appropriate port state
administration

Reporting procedures

Beside the nearest port , to the IMB Piracy

Reporting Centre also should be give them
immediate report for warning to other ship
purpose
As soon as possible after sending the immediate
report Master should make a full &
comprehensive report as much details
The comprehensive report should be sent as
soon as possible to the relevant local authorities
and the nearest local embassy of the vessel flag
state as well as to the ship management
The shipping company should ensure that the
full report is passed to the flag state
administration
In addition the company should send a report to
its national ship owners association and the IMB

Recording the Incident

A record of incident should be made by
SSO on the format was decided by
Company and , as specified by the ISPS
code , should remain on board protected
from unauthorized access for a period
specify by the flag state
In the aftermath of a security incident ,
particularly where raiders have gained
access to the ship , its the duty of SSO to
review and propose relevant changes to
the SSP and communicate to the flag state
for approval

Annex I : IMB piracy reporting centre

The IMB Piracy Reporting Centre in Kuala
Lumpur , Malaysia is 24 hour information
centre acting as the focal point against
acts of piracy and armed robbery .
Supported by financial contribution from
the shipping industry its services are free
and are available to all ships irrespective
of flag : address ICC International
Maritime Bureau , PO.box 12559
50782 Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
Tel : +60320310014 / Fax : +60320785769
E-mail : imbkl@icc-ccs.org.uk

Annex 2 : Reporting Format

Name of ship
Name of shipping company / manager
Type of ship and Flag / GRT / IMO no
Date & Time of incident / Area / Detail of incident
Consequences for crew , ship and cargo
Action taken by Master and crew
Was incident reported to the coastal authority
If so to whom ? / Action taken by the authorities
Position Lat / Long
Details of riding party (Language , Their number
uniform , If possible their nationality , Type of
boats , Duration of attack , Type of weapon ,
area of the ship attacked & the level of violence

Training of SSO
On the cargo ship normally be one of the
senior officer to be SSO
Much of the training can be undertaken at
maritime training institution
And much of training can be undertaken
on board through implementation of the
ship security plan
After July 2004 on board training of SSO
conducted under supervision of an SSO
who is already competent in duties
specified by ISPS