UNCLASSIFIED

OFFICE OF NAVAL INTELLIGENCE

(U) WORLDWIDE: Worldwide Threat to Shipping (WTS) Report

23 January - 22 February 2017
23 February 2017

(U) Table of Contents

1. (U) Scope Note
2. (U) Warnings and Advisories
3. (U) Summary
4. (U) Counter-Piracy and Maritime Crime Announcements and Advisories
5. (U) Details: Monthly Incidents by Region
6. (U) Appendix A: Further Contact Information and Resources
7. (U) Appendix B: Terminology and References
1. (U) Scope Note
1. (U) The Worldwide Threat to Shipping (WTS) message provides info on piracy threats to, and criminal action
against, merchant vessels and the shipping industry worldwide in the last 30 days. This report is produced primarily
to inform merchant mariners and naval forces.

2. (U) Warnings and Advisories

1. (U) UKMTO ADVISORY NOTICE 002/FEB 2017: Category: Suspicious Approach Description: On 12 February
2017 at 0530UTC in position 15:06.57N - 052:28.85E, an MV reported being followed by a skiff with 6 armed
persons on board. The skiff approached from the port side and crossed the vessels bow to the starboard
side. The Captain reported sighting an RPG and heavy weapons. The MV sounded alarm, increased speed, and
activated hoses. AST showed their weapons to the skiff, which then altered its course and moved away. MV is
safe. UKMTO will provide further updates as appropriate. Any queries regarding this Advisory Notice ring 0044
2392 222060 for further information.

2. (U) UKMTO ADVISORY NOTICE 001/FEB 2017: US Maritime Alert 2017-002A has been issued. Masters
should consider increasing vigilance, maintain the farthest possible distance from the Yemen coast, transit the
Bab el Mandeb Strait during daylight hours and use the western TSS. UKMTO will provide further updates as
appropriate. Any queries regarding this Advisory Notice ring 0044 2392 222060 for further information.

3. (U) UKMTO ADVISORY NOTICE 002/JAN 2017: On 9 Jan 2017 at 0815UTC in position 13:05N - 043:08E,
an MV reported four high speed skiffs had approached its starboard side to within 2 cables. There were
six armed persons on board each white skiff. MVs security team took their positions and the skiffs turned away. MV
is safe. Any queries regarding this Advisory Notice, please call 0044 2392 222060 for further information.

4. (U) UKMTO ADVISORY NOTICE 001/JAN 2017 - 5 Jan 2017: Merchant vessel owners/operators are advised
that on 3 Jan 2017 at 1403UTC a merchant vessel was heard to report on VHF CH16 that she was under attack in
position 13:04N - 043:08E, approximately 30 nm north of the Bab el Mandeb Strait. The incident is still under
investigation and further updates will be made as more information is received. Advice given for transiting the area
in UKMTO Advisory 003/OCT/16 remains extant. Merchant vessels should proceed with caution and adopt a
heightened state of vigilance when transiting SRS/BeM. Any queries regarding this Advisory Notice, ring 0044 2392

UNCLASSIFIED
 UNCLASSIFIED

222060 for further information.

3. (U) Summary
A. (U) INDONESIA: On 23 February, five robbers armed with a knife boarded an offshore tug anchored in Batu
Ampar Anchorage, Batam Island.

B. (U) NIGERIA: On 20 February, suspected militants kidnapped a Nigerian Army lieutenant while he was patrolling
the Oteyi area of Abule-Ado, Lagos.

C. (U) NIGERIA: On 19 February, armed pirates in a speedboat boarded an underway asphalt tanker 33 nm west-
southwest of Forcados.

D. (U) LIBYA: On 19 February, the vehicle carrier MORNING COMPASS was seized by Libyan military forces in
eastern Libyan waters.

E. (U) PHILIPPINES: On 19 February, pirates believed to be affiliated with Abu Sayyaf, boarded the Vietnam-
flagged cargo ship GIANG HAI near approximately 35 nm northwest of Doc Can Island.

F. (U) SOUTH KOREA: On 16 February, a South Korean fisheries patrol boat fired 900 rounds from a machine gun
to drive off dozens of Chinese fishing vessels that were allegedly trying to interfere with an interdiction operation.

G. (U) ST LUCIA: On 13 February, robbers boarded an anchored sailing yacht at the Soufriere Bat Caves.

H. (U) DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: On 12 February, a robber armed with a knife boarded an anchored sailing yacht in
Marina Zar Par.

I. (U) ST MARTIN: On 8 February, robbers boarded an anchored sailing yacht in Marigot Bay.

4. (U) Counter-Piracy and Maritime Crime Announcements and Advisories

A. (U) GULF OF ADEN: Government of Japan convoy schedule for February 2017. To apply for JMSDF escort,
visit http://www.mlit.go.jp/en/maritime/maritime_fr2_000000.html, please contact directly the Anti-Piracy Contact
and Coordination Office, Maritime Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MILT), Japan:
Tel: +81-3-5253-8932; Fax: +81-3-5253-1643. Email: [email protected]. (MSCHOA)

B. (U) GULF OF ADEN: Korean Navy convoy schedule for February 2017. All merchant vessels wishing to join the
convoy group must submit their application forms directly to the ROK naval warship carrying out the mission. The
ROK MTG can be reached directly at 1-870-773-110-438. Email: [email protected]. (MSCHOA)

C. (U) GULF OF ADEN: Chinese Navy convoy schedule for February 2017. For further information, please e-mail
[email protected], or call Tel: 00870 773 120 044; or 441 221 061. (MSCHOA)

D. (U) GULF OF ADEN: Indian Navy convoy escort schedule for February 2017. To register, email
[email protected]; or visit www.dgshipping.com. Telephone numbers for contact are: 91-22-22614646 or
fax at 91-22-22613636. (MSCHOA)

5. (U) Details: Monthly Incidents by Region

(U) This section lists reports of active violence against shipping, credible threats to shipping, or the potential for a
situation to develop into a direct threat to shipping over the last 30 days. Every effort is made to ensure that
incidents are not double-counted. In the event double-counting is detected, or an incident is later learned to be
different than 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.

A. (U) NORTH AMERICA:

UNCLASSIFIED
 UNCLASSIFIED

1. (U) MEXICO: On 25 January in the Gulf of California, a ship from an environmental organization rescued a
fisherman who fell overboard while illegally fishing. The ship had encountered the boat while they were fishing for
the endangered Vaquita Porpoise. Upon seeing the ship, the fishermen fled with one of them falling in the water.
(maritime-executive.com)

B. (U) CENTRAL AMERICA - CARIBBEAN - SOUTH AMERICA:

Figure 1. Central America - Caribbean -

South America Piracy and Maritime Crime

1. (U) ST LUCIA: On 13 February, robbers boarded an anchored sailing yacht at the Soufriere Bat Caves. The
robbers were able to steal cash, computers, a camera, and electronics. Incident reported to local authorities.
(www.safetyandsecuritynet.com)

2. (U) DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: On 12 February, a robber armed with a knife boarded an anchored sailing yacht in
Marina Zar Par. He threatened the couple while stealing cash, a cell phone, a wristwatch and a bottle of rum. He
then escaped. Incident reported to local authorities. (www.safetyandsecuritynet.com)

3. (U) ST MARTIN: On 8 February, robbers boarded an anchored sailing yacht in Marigot Bay and stole a 10-foot
dinghy and small outboard motor. Incident reported to local authorities. (www.safetyandsecuritynet.com)

4. (U) PERU: On 7 February, an anchored bulk carrier at position 12:01S - 077:12W, Callao Anchorage, was
boarded by four men from a small boat. The men used climbing ropes to access the vessel where the robbers
seized and tied up a crew member then stole items from the ships store and escaped. The duty officer raised the
alarm and the incident was reported to the authorities. (IMO)

5. (U) COLOMBIA: On 28 January, Colombian Navy divers found 67 kilograms of cocaine in a cylinder attached
underwater to the hull of the NYK (Japan) reefer CROWN OPAL in the Gulf of Uraba. The next day the ship was
underway with scheduled stops in the Dominican Republic, United Kingdom, and lastly in Belgium. The ships crew
was not charged with drug trafficking. (Fleetmon.com)

6. (U) PANAMA: On 28 January, items were stolen from an anchored unlocked catamaran in San Blas. The thieves
took a wallet and cellphones from the salon chart table and left two sets of muddy footprints. A report was made to
the local police and to a weather report network. (safetyandsecurity.net)

UNCLASSIFIED
 UNCLASSIFIED

7. (U) PUERTO RICO: On 27 January, a dinghy and outboard motor was stolen from a sailing yacht anchored in
Vieques Esperanza. The dinghy and outboard motor had been secured with a steel chain that had been cut. Later
the dinghy was found on a nearby beach minus the motor which had been chained to the dinghy. The owners
reported the incident to the local police who noted that this was the fourth motor stolen this week. (noonsite.com)

8. (U) DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: On 25 January, a knife-armed intruder swam on to a sailing yacht and attacked the
husband and wife in the Marina Zar Par, Boca Chica. After a struggle the intruder held a knife to the wifes neck
and demanded and received money and jewelry. He then tied the owners up and left. The incident was reported to
port authorities. (noonsite.com)

9. (U) COLOMBIA: On 24 January, robbers boarded an anchored chemical tanker near position 10:19N -
074:32W, Mamonal Inner Anchorage, Colombia. The robbers stole ship items, and escaped without being noticed.
The crew noted the theft during routine rounds later in the day. (IMB)

C. (U) ATLANTIC OCEAN AREA: No current incidents to report.

D. (U) NORTHERN EUROPE - BALTIC: No current incidents to report.

E. (U) MEDITERRANEAN - BLACK SEA:

Figure 2. Mediterranean - Black Sea

Piracy and Maritime Crime
1. (U) LIBYA: On 19 February, the vehicle carrier MORNING COMPASS was seized by Libyan military forces in
eastern Libyan waters while en route Misrata from Korea with more than 5,000 Korean KIA and Hyundai cars on
board. The ship was searched, reportedly for weapons, and released on 21 February. (www.fleetmon.com)

2. (U) SPAIN: On 27 January, Spanish authorities seized 200 kilos of cocaine in the port of Valencia and arrested
seven persons for drug trafficking. The cocaine, which was in a shipping container, was estimated to have a street
value of 15 million Euros. Of the seven arrested, one was a Spanish Civil Guard officer stationed in Valencia.
Authorities also seized documents, computers, and substances to treat and cut drugs. (ABC.es)

UNCLASSIFIED
 UNCLASSIFIED

F. (U) WEST AFRICA

Figure 3. West Africa Piracy and Maritime

Crime

1. (U) NIGERIA: On 20 February, suspected militants kidnapped a Nigerian Army lieutenant while he was patrolling
the Oteyi area of Abule-Ado, Lagos. A witness reported that he saw several militants dragging the officer into a
waiting speed boat while they were shooting into the air and made their escape into the creeks.
(www.theeagleonine.com.ng)

2. (U) NIGERIA: On 19 February, armed pirates in a speedboat boarded an underway asphalt tanker near position
05:12N - 004:48E, 33 nm west-southwest of Forcados. Alarm was raised, SSAS activated and all crew retreated
to the citadel. Incident reported to the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre which contacted the Nigerian Navy and
requested assistance. Two naval vessels were dispatched to assist the vessel. The pirates damaged ships
equipment, stole ships properties, and escaped before the naval teams boarded the vessel to rescue the crew. All
crew are safe. (IMB)

4. (U) LIBERIA: On 10 February, authorities impounded a Chinese fishing vessel for overfishing, citing a permit to
land 40 tons of fish, while the ship was actually carrying 130 tons of fish. (allAfrica.com)

5. (U) LIBERIA: On 10 February, authorities impounded a Spanish fishing vessel, citing at least 25 violations of
international safety and labor standards. (allAfrica.com)

6. (U) LIBERIA: On 6 February, authorities impounded a Senegalese fishing vessel, HISPASEN 7, citing numerous
violations of international safety and labor standards, including expired sanitation certificates and fishing licenses
and a non-operation AIS system. (www.frontpageafricaonline.com; allAfrica.com; www.dakaractu.com)

UNCLASSIFIED
 UNCLASSIFIED

7. (U) NIGERIA: On 8 February, the Nigerian Navy intercepted the LPG tanker GAZ PROVIDENCE that had been
seized earlier by pirates near Bonny Island, and its crew kidnapped. The navy intercepted the vessel in the Atlantic
and freed its crew of 21. (Reuters/Bloomberg.com)

8. (U) NIGERIA: On 5 February, the general cargo ship BBC CARIBBEAN was attacked by pirates at position
03:59N - 005:29E, at the Pennington Oil Terminal, off of Bayelsa. Eight crewmen, seven Russians and one
Ukrainian, were kidnapped off the vessel by pirates armed with automatic weapons. (fleetmon.com)

9. (U) SIERRA LEONE: On 30 January, two robbers boarded an anchored container ship near position 08:27N -
013:26W, Freetown Outer Anchorage. A duty crewman informed the duty officer that he saw them on the
forecastle. Alarm was raised, PA announcement made and crew was mustered. Hearing the alarm and seeing the
crews alertness, the robbers escaped without stealing anything. (IMB)

10. (U) SIERRA LEONE: On 25 January, three men armed with knives boarded an anchored bulk carrier near
position 08:27N - 013:21W, Pepel Anchorage. Upon noticing the men, the crew raised the alarm but the assailants
stole ships stores and escaped. (IMB)

11. (U) NIGERIA: On 23 January, gunmen kidnapped four individuals from a farm in the Epe area of Lagos State.
The kidnappers reportedly arrived at the farm in two speed boats. The victims were three farmers and a female
graduate student. The kidnappers were demanding five million Naira for each victim. (www.nigeriatoday.com;
www.dailytrust.info)

G. (U) ARABIAN GULF: No current incidents to report.

H. (U) INDIAN OCEAN - EAST AFRICA:

1. (U) YEMEN: On 12 February, a skiff with six armed persons on board approached a merchant vessel 37 nm
south of the town of Haswayn, off Yemen's east coast. The captain of the vessel reported automatic weapons and
rocket-propelled grenades on board the skiff. The merchant vessel sounded the alarm, increased speed, activated
hoses and armed guards on board displayed weapons, leading to the retreat of the skiff. (www.pviltd.com)

2. (U) RED SEA: On 30 January, Huthi militants attacked a Saudi frigate at position 14:49N - 042:21E, 30 nm west
of Hodeidah, Yemen. The Huthis used three suicide boats, one of which was successful in striking the rear of the
Saudi warship and blew up. The resulting explosion caused the death of two Saudi sailors and injuries to three
others. (gCaptain.com)

UNCLASSIFIED
 UNCLASSIFIED

I. (U) EAST ASIA - SOUTHEAST ASIA - INDIAN SUBCONTINENT:

Figure 4. East Asia - Southeast Asia -

Indian Subcontinent Piracy and Maritime
Crime
1. (U) INDONESIA: On 23 February, five robbers armed with a knife boarded an offshore tug anchored near
position 01:10N - 103:59E, Batu Ampar Anchorage, Batam Island. Alert crew noticed the robbers on the CCTV
cameras and raised the alarm. Seeing the crews alertness, the robbers escaped without stealing anything. (IMB)

2. (U) PHILIPPINES: On 19 February, pirates believed to be affiliated with Abu Sayyaf, boarded the Vietnam-
flagged cargo ship GIANG HAI, near position 06:09N - 119:39E, approximately 35 nm northwest of Doc Can Island.
The pirates abducted six crew members and killed another. (AFP; www.hellenicshippingnews.com;
ReCAAP; IMB)

3. (U) BANGLADESH: On 6 February, an anchored offshore supply vessel at position 21:51N - 091:48E, 1 nm west
of Kutibidja Island, was boarded by unknown assailants. The paint locker was broken into and a large amount of
paint was stolen. The crew noticed the theft in the morning and the authorities were informed. (IMO)

4. (U) BANGLADESH: On 6 February, an anchored offshore supply vessel at position 21:51N - 091:48E, off
Kutibidja Island, was boarded by unknown assailants who attempted to enter the vessels interior. All the vessels
doors were secured and the assailants were unsuccessful. (IMO)

UNCLASSIFIED
 UNCLASSIFIED

J. (U) NORTHEAST ASIA:

Figure 5. Northeast Asia Piracy and

Maritime Crime
1. (U) SOUTH KOREA: On 16 February, a South Korean fisheries patrol boat fired 900 rounds from a machine gun
to drive off dozens of Chinese fishing vessels that were allegedly trying to interfere with an interdiction operation.
The patrol boat apprehended one vessel from the Chinese fleet on suspicion of illegal fishing, and the coast guard
alleges that as soon as the Korean forces seized the boat, the rest of the Chinese flotilla altered course to intercept,
presumably to drive off the patrol boat and free the suspects. As in earlier incidents, the Korea Coast Guard alleged
that the Chinese vessels were equipped with sharp iron spikes on their rails to deter boarding teams. The spikes
would be a violation of a new Chinese-Korean pact that would penalize any fishing vessel carrying boarding
deterrents or weapons. (www.maritime-executive.com)

2. (U) CHINA: On 14 February, four robbers boarded an anchored bulk carrier near position 38:52N - 119:10E,
Jingtang Anchorage, and tried to open the port side Marine Diesel Oil manhole. Duty officer raised the alarm and
SSAS Alert was activated. Seeing the crews alertness, the robbers escaped without stealing anything. Crew
mustered and a search was carried out. Incident reported to the port authorities and the local agents. (IMB)

J. (U) PACIFIC OCEAN - SOUTHERN OCEAN:

1. (U) FIJI: On 25 January, two individuals boarded a sailing yacht anchored in Suva. They attacked the lone
crewman with a cane knife and injured him severely. The crewman was hospitalized and police apprehended one
of the perpetrators. (noonsite.com)

6. (U) Appendix A: Further Contact Information and Resources

(U) This appendix provides contact information for the author of the WTS as well as other entities that can be
contacted with maritime crime reports. It also lists other resources where the WTS is posted and where piracy and
maritime crime incident information can be found.

UNCLASSIFIED
 UNCLASSIFIED

(U) Contact

(U) Originator of this WTS report requests consumer feedback. Originator will incorporate all anti-shipping events
and violence against the maritime industry into this weekly message where appropriate. To aid in our reporting,
please add the Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) to your normal corporate and organizational reporting
requirements. The 24-hour watch can be reached at +1 (301) 669-4053.

(U) Other Resources

.
(U) This Worldwide Threat to Shipping Report is posted at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agencys Maritime
Safety site: http://msi.nga.mil/NGAPortal/MSI.portal. The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) also publishes a live
piracy report based on reporting from the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, listing all piracy
and armed robbery incidents in the last ten days: http://www.icc-ccs.org/. The PAWW and WTS Reports are posted
weekly on the ONI Intel Portal: http://www.oni.navy.mil/Intelligence_Community/piracy.htm.

7. (U) Appendix B: Terminology and References

(U) This appendix is provided to promote consistent use of accurate terms of reference in reporting and also
identifies those references that were used to gather the information contained in this report. ONI welcomes
comment and suggestions for addition or amendment.

(U) Terminology

(U) In order to promote consistent use of accurate terms of reference, the following have been adopted to describe
the range of criminal anti-shipping activity and impediments to safe navigation in our worldwide reporting and
analysis. Please note that these terms relate to observable activity and are independent of target vessel status and
exclude actions by governmental powers in lawful pursuit of their authorities:

(U) Attempted Boarding Close approach or hull-to-hull contact with report that boarding paraphernalia were
employed or visible in the approaching boat.

(U) Blocking Hampering safe navigation, docking, or undocking of a vessel as a means of protest.

(U) Boarding Unauthorized boarding of a vessel by persons not part of its complement without successfully
taking control of the vessel.

(U) Fired Upon Weapons discharged at or toward a vessel.

(U) Hijacking Unauthorized seizure and retention of a vessel by persons not part of its complement.

(U) Kidnapping Unauthorized forcible removal of persons belonging to the vessel from it.

(U) Robbery Theft from a vessel or from persons aboard the vessel.

(U) Suspicious Approach All other unexplained activity in close proximity of an unknown vessel.

(U) Sourcing

(U) ONI derives information in this report from direct reporting and analysis of reports from the following agencies
and commercial sources.

Agence France Presse (AFP)

Associated Press (AP)
Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO), Denmark
BBC News

UNCLASSIFIED
 UNCLASSIFIED

EU Naval Forces (EU)

Fairplay (FP), London
Informa Group (INFO), formerly LLP, Llp Limited, London
International Maritime Bureau (IMB), London and Kuala Lumpur
International Maritime Organization (IMO), London
gCaptain
Latitude38.com (LAT) website
Local Media (LM)
LSS-SAPU.com (LSS)
Maritime Administration (MARAD), U.S.
The Maritime Executive (website)
Maritime Security Centre - Horn of Africa (MSCHOA)
Maritime Security Council (MSC), U.S.
Marine Domain Awareness for Trade Gulf of Guinea (MDAT-GoG)
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), Navigation Safety System
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Brussels
Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) (analysis and comment)
Operator (owner or operator of affected vessel)
Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC)
Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia,
Information Sharing Center (ReCAAP ISC)
Reuters
Royal Australian Navy (RAN)
Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN)
Seafarers Assistance Program (SAP), Kenya
Tradewinds (TW)
United Kingdom Maritime Trade Organization (UKMTO)
United Press International (UPI)
U.S. Maritime Liaison Office (MARLO) Bahrain
U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

(U) ICOD: 22 February 2017

(U) The PAWW and WTS reports are posted each week on the ONI Intel Portal and can be found at:
http://www.oni.navy.mil/Intelligence-Community/Piracy

UNCLASSIFIED