PIRATES ABORT ROBBING TANKER

By Zakaria Abdul Wahab

SINGAPORE, Aug 18 (Bernama) -- Three pirates aborted their attempt to rob a
Singapore-registered tanker anchored off Tanjong Ramunia, Johor early Saturday
after they saw the ship's crew was ready for them.

The Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery
against Ships in Asia Information Sharing Centre (ReCAAP ISC) said Monday the
pirates climbed onboard the tanker "Kirana Tritya" from a small wooden fast boat
on Aug 15 at 3.45am.

But one of the tanker's crew members on duty sighted them and informed the
duty officer immediately at the navigation bridge and other crew on deck.

The general alarm was raised when the pirates were sighted and all the crew
was mustered at the navigation bridge, ReCAAP ISC said in a statement.

Upon seeing the crew being alerted and waiting at the ship's bridge the
pirates escaped in their wooden boat, it added.

The crew of 22 Indonesians was unharmed and no property or equipment was
damaged or stolen in the incident.

The centre said this was the fourth incident reported in the vicinity off
Tanjung Ramunia and Tanjung Ayam since January this year, and all the incidents
occurred when the ships were anchored there.

It added that tankers and bulk carriers were mostly targeted in the
vicinity, with two incidents involving tankers and two involving bulk carriers.
-- BERNAMA