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Flash Report Tuesday 08 April 2025 |
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Robbery/Theft - Singaport Strait |
Dear Client, |
Incident Details |
Incident Date & Time: 06 April 2025; 1750hrs Location: Singapore Strait Latitude/Longitude: 1° 4' 45.60" N, 103° 42' 54.00" E |
Vessel Name, Type, Flag & Status SILVER STAR, Bulk Carrier , Underway Incident Type: Robbery/theft Crew status No injuries reported |
Incident Details |
Description On 06 April 2025, at approximately 1750 hrs UTC, the Bulk Carrier SILVER STAR was boarded by five perpetrators while underway in the Singapore Strait. The duty engineer sighted the intruders in the engine room, prompting the master to immediately raise the alarm and muster the crew for safety. A subsequent search of the vessel revealed no further signs of the perpetrators. No items were reported stolen, and the crew remained unharmed. The incident was reported to Singapore Vessel Traffic Information System (VTIS). A safety broadcast on anti-piracy watch was initiated to alert all vessels in the Singapore Strait to maintain vigilance. The Republic of Singapore Navy's Maritime Security Task Force (MSTF) and Singapore Police Coast Guard (PCG) were notified. Upon the vessel's arrival at the port of Singapore, the PCG boarded and conducted a thorough search, finding no perpetrators. Information about the incident was shared with Indonesian authorities.
Response Actions - Security Incident Reported - Self-defense Measures - Singapore Vtis - Police Coast Guard - Singapore Navy
Stolen items - None
Key findings This incident demonstrates a bold yet ultimately unsuccessful attempt to board and potentially rob a moving vessel in broad daylight. The perpetrators' ability to access the engine room undetected suggests a high level of maritime expertise and possibly prior knowledge of the vessel's layout or security vulnerabilities. Their quick disappearance without theft, despite being discovered, indicates a well-planned escape strategy or possibly the use of a nearby support vessel. The rapid response of the crew in mustering and conducting a search likely deterred further action by the intruders. The involvement of multiple authorities (Singapore VTIS, RSN MSTF, Singapore PCG, and Indonesian authorities) showcases the regional cooperative approach to maritime security in the Singapore Strait. However, the initial breach of the vessel's security highlights ongoing vulnerabilities in ship protection measures, even in well-monitored areas.
- Enhance physical security measures in the engine room and other vulnerable areas. - Implement regular security drills to improve crew response time and effectiveness. - Utilize additional watchkeepers or technology (e.g., CCTV) to monitor access points while underway |
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Disclaimer |
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