Robbery/theft - South China Sea

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Incident Details

Incident Date & Time:

30 May 2025, 1446 hrs UTC

Location:

South China Sea

Latitude/Longitude: 

4° 7' 24.00" N, 106° 48' 24.00" E

Vessel Name, Type, IMO, Flag & Status

POWAN, Bulk Carrier, 9721578, Hong Kong, Drifting

Incident Type:

Robbery/theft

Crew status

No injuries reported

Incident Details

Description

On 30 May 2025 at 14:46 UTC, the Bulk Carrier POWAN was boarded by three unarmed perpetrators while drifting. A subsequent review of CCTV footage revealed that the intruders accessed the vessel from the aft port side without detection. The perpetrators breached the emergency escape trunk and steering gear room before entering the engine room. They departed with engine spares via their entry route. The theft was discovered when an AB noticed broken and missing padlocks on the Emergency Escape Trunk and Steering Gear Room, with the latter's door found open. The duty officer promptly raised the alarm, and the crew mustered for a security search. No perpetrators were found aboard, and the crew remained unharmed.

Response Actions

- Security Incident Reported

Stolen items

- Engine Spares

Key findings

This incident demonstrates a concerning level of sophistication in the perpetrators' approach. Their ability to board undetected, navigate through multiple secure areas of the ship, and depart with stolen goods without encountering crew suggests careful planning and possible prior knowledge of the vessel's layout and security measures. The targeting of a drifting vessel highlights the vulnerability of ships in non-standard operating conditions. The successful breach of multiple secure areas, including the engine room, indicates potential weaknesses in the vessel's physical security measures. The fact that the intrusion was only discovered after the perpetrators had left emphasizes the need for more robust real-time monitoring systems and regular security checks, especially when vessels are in vulnerable positions such as drifting.

Recommendations

- Implement enhanced CCTV monitoring with real-time alerts for suspicious activity.

- Conduct frequent security patrols when drifting or at anchor, especially in high-risk areas.

- Reinforce access points with tamper-evident seals and strengthen locking mechanisms.

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