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OFFICE OF NAVAL INTELLIGENCE

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

20 February - 22 March 2017
23 March 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 - UPDATE 151445 UTC MAR 2017: To all ships transiting southern Red Sea/Gulf of
Aden/off Yemen/off Somalia. Refer to our message 140030 UTC Mar 2017, UKMTO advisory. On 14 Mar 2017 at
1830 UTC, MV ARIS 13 has been hijacked in position 11:59N - 050:45E, off the northeast coast of Puntland
Somalia. Vessels are advised to maintain strict anti-piracy watch and measures. Adhere to the latest BMP
recommendations. All attacks and suspicious sightings should be reported. IMB piracy reporting centre, 24 hours
anti-piracy helpline+603 2031 0014 fax: +603 2078 5769. Email: [email protected], or [email protected].

2. (U) MARAD ADVISORY NOTICE 2017-003A - Tanker Hijacking-Off Somali Coast: A maritime incident has
been reported in the vicinity of Alula, Somalia on 13 March 2017. The nature of the event is reported to be a
hijacking of a Comoros or Sri Lankan flagged oil tanker. Mariners are advised to exercise caution when transiting
this area. Further updates will be provided when available. This alert will automatically expire on 21 March 2017.
Any questions regarding this alert should be directed to [email protected].

3. (U) UKMTO ADVISORY NOTICE 003/MAR/2017: Update: Investigations are currently ongoing following reports
that a Yemeni Coast Guard vessel may have struck a mine in Yemeni Territorial Waters (TTW), in the vicinity of the
port of Al Mukha on 10 March 2017. The advice previously issued in UKMTO advisory 001/Feb/2017 remains
extant: Masters should consider increasing vigilance, maintain the furthest possible distance from the Yemen coast,
transit the Bab el Mandeb Strait during daylight hours and use the western TSS wherever possible. Any queries
regarding this Advisory Notice, ring 0044 2392 222060 for further information.

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4. (U) UKMTO ADVISORY NOTICE 002/MAR 2017: On 9 March 2017 at 0845 UTC in position 13:52N - 050:20E,
an MV reported two motherships had deployed four skiffs that approached the MV to within 1 cable. Onboard
armed security team showed weapons and skiffs retreated. Vessel is safe. Any queries regarding this Advisory
Notice please ring 0044 2392 222060 for further information.

3. (U) Summary
A. (U) PHILIPPINES: On 23 March, probable Abu Sayyaf militants boarded the vehicle carrier SUPER SHUTTLE
RORO 9 approximately 19 nm southeast of Sibago Island, in the Moro Gulf, kidnapping 4 crewmen.

B. (U) PHILIPPINES: On 23 March, the Philippine military announced it had successfully rescued two Malaysian
tugboat crewmen held by Abu Sayyaf bandits since July 2016.

C. (U) INDONESIA: On 19 March, one robber boarded a tanker anchored 0.8 nm off Pulat Rupat, Dumai.

D. (U) BANGLADESH: On 19 March, four armed men boarded the container ship SANTA FIORENZA, anchored
in Chittagong Anchorage.

E. (U) SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES: On 18 March, a catamaran anchored at Canouan Charlestown
Bay was boarded.

F. (U) MARTINIQUE: On 17 March, a sailing yacht anchored in St Anne had a tiller extension handle stolen from
their dinghy at the main dinghy dock.

G. (U) MARTINIQUE: On 17 March, a sailing yacht anchored at St Anne reported that the outboard motor on the
dinghy had been stolen from the main dinghy dock.

H. (U) ARABIAN SEA: On 17 March, a joint US Navy, UK Royal Navy, and Royal Canadian Navy operation
intercepted a small stateless dhow in the international waters of the Arabian Sea, seizing 500 kilograms of hashish.

I. (U) SOMALIA: On 16 March, the Somali pirates who hijacked the tanker ARIS 13 released the ship without any
conditions.

J. (U) YEMEN: On 16 March, at least 42 Somali refugees were killed when a helicopter reportedly attacked the
boat in which they were travelling.

K. (U) MALTA: On 15 March, Customs inspectors discovered over 300 kilograms of cocaine while inspecting a
container supposedly containing cans of pineapple at Malta Freeport.

L. (U) COLOMBIA: On 15 March, a sailing yacht anchored at Isla Baru was boarded by 4 men armed with a gun
and a machete.

M. (U) PHILIPPINES: On 15 March, the Armed Forces of the Philippines confirmed that the terrorist group Abu
Sayyaf had killed one of the six Vietnamese seafarers abducted from the bulk carrier GIANG HAI.

N. (U) PHILIPPINES: On 15 March, robbers boarded a chemical tanker anchored in Batangas Anchorage.

O. (U) UNITED STATES: On 12 March, Federal authorities in Florida arrested one man on charges of human
trafficking, 2 nm south of Key Largo.

P. (U) INDONESIA: On 11 March, an unknown number of robbers boarded a chemical tanker anchored in Lubuk
Gaung Inner Anchorage, Dumai.

Q. (U) INDONESIA: On 9 March, one robber boarded a product tanker anchored in Merak Anchorage OPL.

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

A. (U) GULF OF ADEN: Government of Japan convoy schedule for March and April 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 March and April 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 March and April 2017. For further information, please
e-mail [email protected], or call Tel: 00870 773 120 120; or 441 203 380. (MSCHOA)

D. (U) GULF OF ADEN: Indian Navy convoy escort schedule for March and April 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:

Figure 1. North America Piracy and

Maritime Crime

1. (U) UNITED STATES: On 12 March, Federal authorities in Florida arrested one man on charges of human
trafficking. The incident took place 2 nm south of Key Largo. Federal officials boarded and inspected a charter boat
and found 11 immigrants from three different countries. (www.naplesnews.com)

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2. (U) MEXICO: On 8 March, Customs officials in the port of Lazaro Cardenas found four suitcases, containing 130
kilograms of cocaine, inside a shipping container carrying a consignment of baby diapers, aboard the container ship
LUNA MAERSK. The ship had recently arrived from Panama. The vessel departed as scheduled, bound for
Yokohama. (www.fleetmon.com)

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

Figure 2. Central America - Caribbean -

South America Piracy and Maritime Crime

1. (U) SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES: On 18 March, a catamaran anchored at Canouan Charlestown
Bay was boarded at approximately 3 a.m. The Captain awoke and yelled at the individual, who jumped overboard
and swam away. Incident reported to local police. (www.safetyandsecuritynet.com)

2. (U) MARTINIQUE: On 17 March, a sailing yacht anchored in St Anne had a tiller extension handle stolen from
their dinghy at the main dinghy dock. Incident reported to local police. (www.safetyandsecuritynet.com)

3. (U) MARTINIQUE: On 17 March, a sailing yacht anchored at St Anne reported that the outboard motor on the
dinghy had been stolen from the main dinghy dock. Incident reported to local police.
(www.safetyandsecuritynet.com)

4. (U) COLOMBIA: On 15 March, a sailing yacht anchored at Isla Baru was boarded by 4 men armed with a gun
and a machete. They assaulted the Captain, hitting him with an oar, the machete and the gun. They ransacked the
yacht, stealing a computer, an unopened safe and a jar of peanut butter. Incident reported to local police and the
local Coast Guard. (www.safetyandsecuritynet.com)

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5. (U) ST LUCIA: On 12 March, thieves boarded an unlocked yacht anchored in Soufriere while crew was ashore
for the evening. Cash, cellphones and computers were taken. A report was made to the police.
(www.safetyandsecuritynet.com)

6. (U) PUERTO RICO: On 2 March, a dinghy and outboard motor were stolen from a sailing yacht anchored in
Vieques. The outboard was removed and the dinghy set adrift. Dinghy ended up beating against the rocks and was
found unsalvageable the next morning, the fuel tank and life jackets were recovered. A police report was made.
(www.safetyandsecuritynet.com)

7. (U) PUERTO RICO: On 2 March, robbers stole a dinghy and outboard motor from a sailing yacht anchored in
Sun Bay,Vieques. The dinghy was recovered later that day, minus the motor and fuel tank.
(www.safetyandsecuritynet.com)

8. (U) VENEZUELA: On 1 March, three robbers boarded an anchored product tanker near position 10:16N -
064:42W, Puerto La Cruz. Alert crewman noticed the robbers and raised the alarm. Seeing the crews alertness,
the robbers escaped without stealing anything. (IMB)

9. (U) HONDURAS: On 21 February, a sailing yacht anchored near Utila was boarded. A small dinghy and
outboard motor were stolen. The dinghy was recovered later that day, by a local dive shop, minus the outboard
motor. (www.safetyandsecuritynet.com)

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

D. (U) NORTHERN EUROPE - BALTIC:

1. (U) RUSSIA: On 12 March, Russian officials found two dead Nigerian men, believed to have been stowaways, in
a cargo hold of bulk carrier LADY SERRA in the port of Svetly, Kaliningrad. The ship had recently arrived from
Lagos with a cargo of beans. Reportedly, four other Nigerian stowaways were found by the crew soon after
departing Lagos and returned to Nigeria. (www.fleetmon.com)

E. (U) MEDITERRANEAN - BLACK SEA:

Figure 3. Mediterranean - Black Sea

Piracy and Maritime Crime

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1. (U) MALTA: On 15 March, Customs inspectors discovered over 300 kilograms of cocaine while inspecting a
container supposedly containing cans of pineapple at Malta Freeport. The haul was described as the biggest ever
by the Customs Department. The container ship, which stopped in Malta on its way from Ecuador to Spain, was
flagged as a potential high risk following risk analysis performed by the Customs Department.
(www.timesofmalta.com)

2. (U) LIBYA: On 5 March, the Russia-flagged general cargo ship MERLE was seized by the Libya Coast
Guard Zawiya Squad in Libyan waters and taken to Tripoli. The ship was reportedly en route Zawara to load scrap
metal. (www.fleetmon.com; www.libyaobserver.ly/news)

3. (U) LIBYA: On 24 February, HACI TELLI, a Turkey-flagged oil tanker, was seized by an armed group in
Libya, with 11 crew members on board held captive, according to Turkish media reports. According to the Deniz
Haber Ajansi news agency, the armed group detained the ship when it was sailing off the coast of Zuwarah city in
northwestern Libya. The armed people claimed the owner of the vessel owed them more than 430,000 U.S. dollars
for purchasing oil. (Xinhua)

F. (U) WEST AFRICA

1. (U) NIGERIA: On 10 March. A speed boat carrying armed men attacked and attempted to board LNG tanker LA
MANCHA KNUTSEN near position 03:03N - 006:57E, approximately 90 nm south of Port Harcourt. When the
attack started, vessel activated its security alert system, increased speed and began evasive maneuvers. The
pirates stopped their attack and moved away. (www.fleetmon.com)

2. (U) NIGERIA: On 8 March, the bulk carrier SOFIA was near position 03:20N - 004:29E 120 nm southwest of
Brass, Bayelsa State while en route from Lagos to Owendo Anchorage, Libreville, Gabon when seven armed
persons in a skiff approached and fired upon the ship. Master and crew undertook following actions: alarm raised,
ship increased speed and commenced evasive maneuvering. All non-essential crew retreated to the Citadel. After
40 minutes, the skiffs aborted the attack and moved away. Crew reported as safe. Ship sustained some damage
due to the gun firing. (IMB; www.fleetmon.com)

3. (U) NIGERIA: On 2 March, an alert crewman onboard an underway general cargo vessel near position 04:28N -
002:30E, 127 nm southwest of Lagos, noticed a suspicious boat doing 9 knots at a distance of 0.9 nm astern. The
cargo vessel increased speed and made large course alterations and the boat appeared to follow. As the cargo
vessel was slightly faster, after nearly two hours, the distance increased and the boat moved away. The cargo
vessel continued its passage. (IMB)

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

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H. (U) INDIAN OCEAN - EAST AFRICA:

Figure 4. Indian Ocean -East Africa Piracy

and Maritime Crime
1. (U) ARABIAN SEA: On 17 March, a joint US Navy, UK Royal Navy, and Royal Canadian Navy operation
intercepted a small stateless dhow in the international waters of the Arabian Sea, seizing 500 kilograms of hashish.
The forces were conducting maritime security operations in the region as a part of Combined Task Force (CTF) 150
of the Combined Maritime Forces, was conducting an inspection of the vessel as part of a flag verification boarding
when the illicit cargo was found. (www.marinelink.com)

2. (U) SOMALIA: On 13 March, Somali pirates hijacked the Comoros-flagged bunkering tanker ARIS 13 as the ship
was in transit with a cargo of fuel from Djibouti to Mogadishu. The ARIS 13 sent a distress call, turned off its
tracking system and altered course for the Somali port town of Calula, said a spokesman for the aid group Oceans
Beyond Piracy. The ship reported it was being followed by two skiffs, and then it disappeared, he said. Aircraft
from regional naval force EU NAVFOR were flying overhead to track the ship. The gunmen told a local Somali
official they are fishermen whose equipment was destroyed by foreign illegal fishing vessels. Ali Shire Mohamud
Osman, the district commissioner in the town of Alula, near where the ship has been taken, said that he was trying
to find out if the gunmen really were fishermen or were organized pirates. The tanker has a crew of eight Sri
Lankans. This is the first time Somali pirates have successfully taken a commercial ship since 2012. Experts said
the ship was an easy target and ship owners were becoming lax after a long period without many attacks. On 16
March, a gun battle erupted between pirates onboard the ship and a detachment of troops from the Puntland
Marine Police Force (PMPF), with one person reportedly killed and several injured in the firefight. (AFP; All Africa
Global Media; BBC; gCaptain; Reuters; www.garoweonline.com) UPDATE: On 16 March, the Somali pirates who
hijacked the vessel carrying fuel in Calula area coastline reportedly released the ship without any condition. (BBC
World Service)

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3. (U) YEMEN: On 16 March, at least 42 Somali refugees were killed when a helicopter reportedly attacked the
boat they were travelling in. The incident occurred approximately 30 nm from Hudaydah. (BBC;
www.theguardian.com)

4. (U) ARABIAN SEA: On 13 March, a joint US Navy, Royal Navy, and Royal Canadian Navy operation
intercepted a small stateless dhow in the international waters of the Arabian Sea March 13, seizing 270 kilograms
of heroin. The forces were conducting maritime security operations in the region as a part of Combined Task Force
(CTF) 150 of the Combined Maritime Forces, was conducting an inspection of the vessel as part of a flag
verification boarding when the illicit cargo was found. (www.marinelink.com)

5. (U) YEMEN: On 10 March, a Yemen Coast Guard vessel struck a mine in waters of the southern Red Sea, killing
eight sailors and wounding eight others, including the vessels captain. (AP)

6. (U) GULF OF ADEN: On 9 March 2017 at 0845 UTC in position 13:52N - 050:20E, an MV reported two
motherships had deployed four skiffs that approached the MV to within 1 cable. Onboard armed security team
showed weapons and skiffs retreated. Vessel is safe. (UKMTO)

7. (U) GULF OF ADEN: On 7 March at 0834 UTC in position 13:12N - 048:58E, an MV reported being
followed by a two skiffs with 16 - 20 armed persons. Skiffs followed astern for 40 minutes. MV is safe. (UKMTO)

8. (U) ARABIAN SEA: On 2 March, Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS ARUNTA seized 800 kilograms of hashish
from a dhow in the Arabian Sea. HMAS ARUNTA was patrolling the area and her specialist boarding team located
the drugs hidden in a consignment of coffee. Commanding officer, Commander Cameron Steil said it was the ships
first successful intercept since starting her rotation in December. There were numerous suspicious elements
regarding this vessel, we conducted a thorough search, Commander Steil said. The 31-nation Combined Maritime
Forces in the region are tasked to improve overall maritime security, stability and prosperity by denying terrorist
organizations the ability to move personnel, weapons or narcotics and obstructing their capacity to raise funds.
Head of Australian forces in the Middle East, Major General John Frewen, said the successful drug interception
was the culmination of significant work the ship had undertaken as part of the Combined Maritime Forces, a
partnership built on defeating terrorism, preventing piracy, encouraging regional cooperation and promoting a safe
maritime environment. (www.navaltoday.com)

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

Figure 5. East Asia - Southeast Asia - Indian

Subcontinent Piracy and Maritime Crime

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Figure 6. East Asia - Southeast Asia - Indian

Subcontinent Piracy and Maritime Crime

Figure 7. East Asia - Southeast Asia - Indian

Subcontinent Piracy and Maritime Crime

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1. (U) PHILIPPINES: On 23 March, probable Abu Sayyaf militants boarded the vehicle carrier SUPER SHUTTLE
RORO 9, approximately 19 nm southeast of Sibago Island, in the Moro Gulf. Four crewmen were kidnapped during
the boarding, including the Master and Engineer. (www.fleetmon.com)

2. (U) MALAYSIA: On 18 July, local authorities in Lahad Datu, Sabah, were notified about a possible abandoned
tug and barge near Dent Haven. Upon investigation, it was found that tug SERUDONG 3, towing the barge
SERUDING 4, had no crew aboard and the main engine was still running. The tug carried a crew of five and one of
the crewmen has reportedly contacted the shipping company owner to relay a ransom demand from the
kidnappers. (www.borneopost.com; www.odin.tc; www.fleetmon.com) UPDATE: On 23 March, the Philippine
military announced it had successfully rescued two of the Malaysian tugboat crewmen held by Abu Sayyaf bandits
since July 2016. In a statement, Maj. Gen. Carlito Galvez of the Philippine Army said Malaysians Tayudin Anjut, 45,
and Abdurahim Bin Sumas, 62, were freed after a focused military operation in Kalinggalang Caluang town in
Sulu, particularly near Pata Island. The rescued kidnap victims are weak and in a sickly state when they were
rescued by our troops. Military doctors are now attending to them, Galvez said. Three other crewmen from that
boat remain in Abu Sayyaf custody. (www.globalnation.inquirere.net)

3. (U) INDONESIA: On 19 March, duty crewman on routine rounds onboard a tanker anchored near position
01:42N - 101:28E: 0.8 nm off Pulat Rupat, Dumai, noticed one person attempting to climb onboard by using a hook
attached to a bamboo stick. The duty crewman informed the duty officer who raised alarm. Seeing the alerted crew
the intruders aborted and moved away. (IMB)

4. (U) BANGLADESH: On 19 March, four armed men boarded the container ship SANTA FIORENZA, anchored
near position 22:05N - 091:48E, Chittagong Anchorage, and stole several gas cylinders. The master reported the
incident to the Bangladesh Coast Guard via VHF Channel 12. They are investigating the incident. (ReCAAP)

5. (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; ReCAAP; IMB; www.hellenicshippingnews.com)
UPDATE: On 15 March, the Armed Forces of the Philippines confirmed that the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf killed
one of the six Vietnamese seafarers abducted from the bulker GIANG HAI. (www.maritime-executive.com)

6. (U) PHILIPPINES: On 15 March, robbers boarded a chemical tanker anchored near position 13:45N - 121:03E,
Batangas Anchorage. Duty crewman on routine rounds noticed that the forepeak store room lock was broken and
immediately informed the duty officer on the bridge. A search was made throughout the tanker. It was reported that
ships properties were stolen. (IMB)

7. (U) INDONESIA: On 11 March, an unknown number of robbers boarded an chemical tanker anchored near
position 01:42N - 101:26E, Lubuk Gaung Inner Anchorage, Dumai. The robbers stole ships properties and
escaped unnoticed. The theft was noticed by the duty crew during routine rounds. Incident reported to the local
agents. (IMB)

8. (U) INDONESIA: On 9 March, duty crewman onboard an product tanker anchored near position 05:52S -
105:59E, Merak Anchorage OPL, noticed a boat close to the stern and informed the duty officer. Alarm was raised
and crew was mustered. Hearing the alarm, one robber was seen jumping overboard and escaping in the boat.
Nothing reported stolen. (IMB)

9. (U) PHILIPPINES: On 5 March, a skiff with six persons onboard approached and followed general cargo ship
PHU AN 268 for approximately 1.5 hours. The skiff initially started following the ship near position 06:20N -
118:08E, 4.43 nm northeast of Lihiman Island. Master raised the alarm, increased speed and activated fire hoses.
Incident reported to Malaysian authorities. A patrol vessel rendezvoused with the vessel and escorted her to
Sandakan port. All crew safe. (IMB; www.maritimeherald.com)

10. (U) MALAYSIA: On 1 March, state marine police foiled an attempt to smuggle 21,000 liters of diesel in an
operation near Seberang Takir River. A marine police spokesman said that two locals and two Indonesian crew
members were detained to assist investigation. Further adding that they found out that the boat had a modified fuel
tank and the boat was heading towards a neighboring country from the Kemaman Port, and the tug boat was not
authorized to carry the fuel. (www.nst.com.my/news)

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11. (U) INDIA: On 17 February, two robbers boarded an offshore support vessel anchored near position 18:54.23N
- 072:52.25E: 6.3nm West of JNPT Port, Mumbai. The robbers stole ship's equipment and escaped. Incident
reported to Coast Guard who boarded the vessel to investigate and collect evidence. (IMB)

12. (U) SRI LANKA: On 24 February, four Tamil Nadu fishermen suffered serious injuries after they were attacked,
allegedly by Sri Lankan fishermen, near Kodiyakarai. The Sri Lankan fishermen first threatened them with hand
guns and attacked them with knives, a spokesman for the Pamban Country Boat Association stated.
(www.hindustantimes.com/india-news)

13. (U) MYANMAR: On 23 February, employees unloading a cargo of sugar from a shipping container in the
Shwe Pyitha Industrial Zone of Yangon found 200 kilograms of cocaine among a consignment of bags of sugar.
Police were notified and an investigation is ongoing. (www.elevenmyanmar.com)

14. (U) PHILIPPINES: On 22 February, bulk carrier DONG HAE STAR was en route Indonesia when two black
speedboats with five individuals aboard each boat pursued them near Pearl Bank off Taganak Island, Tawi-Tawi. A
spokesperson for the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), said the crew of merchant vessel immediately
sent a distress call to the Littoral Monitoring Station of Philippine Navy in Bongao. The spokesperson said patrol
boats of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao patrolling the area immediately responded and launched a pursuit.
DONG HAE STAR reported that the suspicious speedboats quickly disengaged from chasing the vessel
after sighting the responding navy ships. (www.philstar.com; www.update.ph)

J. (U) NORTHEAST ASIA:

1. (U) HONG KONG: On 2 March, Customs authorities broke up a smuggling attempt when they arrested five men
and confiscated more than HK$10 million worth of goods during the raid at Wong Shek pier in Sai Kung Country
Park. Hong Kong marine police were watching the pier after receiving a tip-off, according to a source. At about
06:30 LT, a speedboat berthed at the pier while two delivery vans and another vehicle showed up. Officers
ambushed the smugglers as they began loading boxes from the vehicles onto the speedboat. While police
managed to capture five of the men at the pier, several others managed to flee on the high-powered speedboat,
which was equipped with two outboard engines. Police attempted to chase down the smugglers as they fled
towards the mainland, but were outrun. All 84 boxes were seized and the three vehicles were impounded.
According to police, the boxes were filled with birds nests, tablet computers, mobile phones and computer
components. (www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-crime)

J. (U) PACIFIC OCEAN - SOUTHERN OCEAN: No current incidents to report.

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.

(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.

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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
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)

UNCLASSIFIED
 UNCLASSIFIED

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 March 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