Boarding - Singapore Straits

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Incident Details

Incident Date & Time:

23 March 2025; 0410hrs

Location:

Singapore Straits

Latitude/Longitude: 

1° 24' 54.00" N, 104° 31' 9.60" E

Vessel Name, IMO, Type, Flag & Status

JIN HWA 43 & JIN HWA 44, 9689768 , Tug Boat, Malaysia, Underway

Incident Type:

Boarding

Crew status

No injuries reported

Incident Details

Description

While underway, the master reported to Singapore Port Operations Control Centre (POCC) that three perpetrators had boarded the barge from a small boat. After about 20 min, the perpetrators were seen leaving the barge. The crew was unable to determine any loss of property and the crew was not injured. Safety broadcast on anti-piracy watch was initiated to warn all vessels to maintain a vigilant watch at all times in the Singapore Strait (SS). The Republic of Singapore Navy's (RSN) Maritime Security Task Force (MSTF) and Singapore Police Coast Guard (PCG) were notified of the incident. Information of the incident was shared with the Indonesian authority.

Response actions

- Security Incident Reported
- Singapore Vtis
- Other Authorities (Indonesian Authority)
- Police Coast Guard

- Singapore Navy

Stolen items

- None

Key findings

This incident demonstrates a common tactic used by opportunistic criminals in the Singapore Strait. The perpetrators utilized a small boat to approach and board the barge while it was underway, likely taking advantage of the tug boat's limited maneuverability and visibility. The short duration of the boarding (20 minutes) suggests a quick, targeted operation, possibly focusing on easily accessible and portable items. The inability of the crew to determine any loss of property highlights the challenges in immediately assessing theft on large vessels, especially barges with extensive deck space. The rapid response and information sharing between Singapore authorities and Indonesian counterparts indicate a well-established regional maritime security cooperation framework.

Recommendations

- Implement enhanced lookout procedures, especially on barges with limited visibility

-  Install and maintain CCTV coverage of vulnerable areas, particularly on barges

- Conduct regular inventories of easily portable items to quickly identify theft

Disclaimer
You have received this report as part of your organisation’s subscription. Castor Vali assessment and advice is given based on the information received and processed by us and the surrounding circumstances known to us to exist at the time. Subsequent changes to relevant information or the surrounding circumstances may affect the reliability of our assessment and advice, but we do not accept responsibility for that effect. We do not accept responsibility for the outcome of any action taken or not taken as a result of our assessment and advice unless the possibility of that action being taken or not taken is set out in specific terms in our instructions.

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