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3. This week's highlights:
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A. Puntland government official detained on allegations of having links with the pirates (Para 1.D.1.).
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B. Tug (FAITHFUL) hijacked, recovered, 27 Feb 08 Bakana River, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.(Para 5.G.2.).
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C. General cargo ship boarded, robbed 21 Feb 08, Apapa berth no. 12, Lagos, Nigeria (Para 5.G.3.).
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D. Vessel reported attempted boarding 21 Feb 08, Lagos anchorage, Nigeria (Para 5.G.4.).
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E. Yachts reported suspicious approach 27 Feb 08, 197NM east of Socotra, Indian Ocean (Para 5.H.7).
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Yacht reported suspicious approach 24 Feb 08, 411NM east of Socotra, Indian Ocean (Para 5.H.8.).

5. DETAILS: There is reported active violence against shipping,
a credible threat to shipping, or the potential to develop into a
direct threat to the safety of shipping in the following areas:
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A. NORTH AMERICA: No current incidents to report.
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B. CENTRAL AMERICA-CARIBBEAN:
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1. ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES: Yacht (CHAKITA) boarded, robbed 23 Dec 07, Chateaubelair, NW anchorage, per 06 Feb 08 reporting. Three robbers, armed with machetes and a gun, boarded the vessel with a married couple onboard. They demanded entry into the hatch which resulted in a physical altercation. The husband suffered deep cuts to his head and body. The robbers threatened to kill them if they did not hand over all their money. Police arrived within 30 minutes of the incident (Operator: yachtpiracy.org).
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C. SOUTH AMERICA:
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1. PERU: Container ship boarded 06 Feb 08 at 0052 local time at Anchorage no. 1, Callao. Robbers boarded the vessel from a small boat. The duty crew spotted them. The alarm was raised and the crew mustered. The robbers escaped and the authorities were informed. The Coast Guard patrol boat arrived after more than one hour, patrolled the waters around the vessels for about ten minutes, and moved away (IMB).
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2. PERU: Bulk carrier boarded, robbed 31 Jan 08 at 1955 local time while in position 12:01.8S-077:11.8W, Callao anchorage. Four robbers armed with long knives boarded the vessel. The robbers tied up the duty crew and stole their personal belongings. They also broke into the bosun store and stole ship's stores and escaped. The Master tried to contact port authority via VHF, no response (IMB).
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3. BRAZIL: Yacht (NIRVANA 3) boarded, crewmembers assaulted, robbed late Nov 07 at 0200, while at anchorage of the Sao Luis Yacht Club, per 28 Jan 08 reporting. The vessel carrying a husband and wife couple was anchored alone at the mooring when it was boarded and attacked by four men armed with three knives and one with a hand gun in a rowing boat. The husband received several head wounds that required stitching. The wife was not physically wounded but the intruders were reportedly very violent and aggressive. The couple was robbed of their money, two laptops, two cell phones, alcohol, cigarettes, and more. The couple contacted authorities by VHF ch.16 before police arrived and took the man to the hospital. (Operator, Noonsite.com).
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4. BRAZIL: Yacht (NIRVANA 3) reported suspicious approach late 2007, probably Dec at 0600 near Abrolhos Islands, approximately 87NM from the coast, per 28 Jan 08 reporting. A small fishing boat with four men on board reportedly chased the vessel. The vessel was traveling at a speed of 9 knots but due to rough weather the suspicious vessel eventually moved away. A call was made on chn. 16 for help (Operator, Noonsite.com).
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D. ATLANTIC OCEAN AREA: No current incidents to report.
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E. NORTHERN EUROPE-BALTIC: No current incidents to report.
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F. MEDITERRANEAN-BLACK SEA:
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1. MOROCCO: Container ship reported suspicious approach 27 Jan 08 at 2105 local time, while at berth, Agadir port. Three persons in divers' suites, without cylinders, swam to the vessel. The ship's watchmen saw the divers and raised the alarm. The suspected robbers swam to another berth and escaped. The Master informed the port control. The port police arrived an hour after reporting (IMB).
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G. WEST AFRICA:
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1. IVORY COAST: Bulk carrier boarded, robbed 30 Jan 08 at 0145 local time, Abidjan inner anchorage. Two robbers boarded the vessel. They stole ship's store and escaped. The port authorities were informed (IMB).
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2. NIGERIA: Tug (FAITHFUL) hijacked, recovered, 27 Feb 08 between 1300 and 1400 local time, Bakana River off the coast of Port Harcourt. The owner of the vessel was alerted by its crew who then immediately sent out a distress call to Naval personnel resulting in a duel with the suspected hijackers and the Nigerian Navy (NN). The NN killed two hijackers, arrested one and at least one other hijacker escaped as he jumped into Bakana Rivers during the gun battle. The arrested individual's name is Samuel Jekinson, who stated that he was only contacted by a group of youths to ferry them to the vessels before the Navy arrested him. He claims he was only a speedboat driver and not a hijacker and claimed that his father was a traditional ruler in his community. He also admitted that he was caught with a rifle. The tug and its barge were carrying over 400,000 metric tons of diesel. Both were recovered with cargo intact and crewmembers safe (LM: Daily News, Daily Champion).
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3. NIGERIA: General cargo ship boarded, robbed 21 Feb 08 at 0330 local time in position 06:26.3N-003:23.5E, Apapa berth no. 12, Lagos. Two robbers managed to board the vessel in spite of armed navy guards being onboard. The robbers forced open the forecastle door and stole ship's stores. The duty watchman noticed the robbers and informed the guards. By the time the guards arrived forward, the robbers escaped in their speedboat (IMB).
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4. NIGERIA: Vessel reported attempted boarding 21 Feb 08 at 2340 local time while in position 06:18.4N-003:20.4E, Lagos anchorage. Just before watch change over, the forward duty watchman heard the engine of a motor boat approaching on the portside. He immediately alerted the others who commenced to check the portside. At the same time, the watchmen checked the starboard side realizing that the boat on the port side could be a decoy. The watchmen noticed four to five persons attempting to board the vessel via hooks attached to the starboard side deck. The duty officer raised the alarm, the watchman shouted at them, and the robbers slowly moved away (IMB).
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5. NIGERIA: Naval vessel attacked by unidentified assailants, crewmembers killed, 11 Feb 08 at the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) plant, Bonny Island. The Nigerian Navy has confirmed that a Naval vessel escorting a petroleum-industry watercraft was shot at by unknown gunmen. It is believed that the attackers opened fire on the bridge and then boarded the vessel. One sailor was reportedly killed and another died later at a hospital. After heavy retaliation from the Navy, the gunmen retreated (LL, REUTERS, AFP, LM: This Day, Nigerian Tribune).
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6. NIGERIA: Security vessel (PATIENCE) boarded, robbed 11 Feb 08 at Buoy 35, Bonny Channel. The vessel, belonging to the Elf Petroleum Nigeria Limited, was boarded by unknown gunmen and reportedly threw a crewmember overboard. The crewmember was later rescued by another vessel. The gunmen injured other crewmembers and stole military firearms. There are conflicting reports that the attack between this incident and the Naval vessel at the NLNG plant were the same or happened simultaneously (LL, REUTERS, AFP, LM: This Day, Nigerian Tribune).
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7. NIGERIA: Container ship boarded 01 Feb 08 at 0315 UTC, Berth Tin Can No. 4, Lagos port. Three robbers boarded the vessel and broke into the forward paint locker. The duty officer raised the alarm and the robbers escaped in a waiting boat. Nothing was stolen (IMB).
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8. NIGERIA: Product tanker boarded 30 Jan 08 at 2130 UTC in position 06:17.62N-003: 24.7E, Lagos anchorage. Four robbers armed with handguns and knives boarded the vessel. The alert crew raised the alarm and the crew mustered. The robbers stole ship's stores and escaped in their waiting boat (IMB).
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9. EQUATORIAL GUINEA: Cement carrier boarded, robbed 31 Jan 08 at 0615 local time while underway in position 03:12N-008:36E, 15NM southwest of Bioko Island. Ten armed persons in military clothing boarded the vessel. The intruders identified themselves as Nigerian rebels and only demanded food. After nearly six hours onboard, the intruders disembarked into speedboats where another five accomplices were waiting. No injury to crew or damage to ship (IMB).
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H. INDIAN OCEAN-EAST AFRICA:
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1. TANZANIA: Ship boarded, robbed 14 Feb 08 at 0341 local time while drifting in position 06:43.5S-039:43.8E, 20NM off the coast. Three pirates boarded the vessel from a small wooden boat equipped with an outboard engine. The ship was awaiting berthing instructions. The alert duty crew noticed the pirates and the alarm was raised, ship's whistle sounded, the crew mustered and the master increased speed. The pirates fled immediately. Upon inspection, two containers were found open (IMB).
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2. TANZANIA: Container ship boarded, robbed 14 Feb 08 at 0341 local time while drifting in position 06:43.5S-43.8E, approximately 20NM off the coast awaiting berth. The vessel was boarded by approximately three unarmed robbers from a small wooden boat with an outboard engine. The general alarms and whistle were sounded and the crew mustered at 0345 local time. The vessel increased speed and moved further away from the coast. The robbers fled immediately. No injuries were reported. After further investigation, two containers were found opened. Two ropes were found overboard, one from the forward life raft that was used to flee and another one towards the aft of the ship. Authorities were informed (Operator).
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3. TANZANIA: General cargo ship boarded 04 Feb 08 at 0330 local time, Dar es Salaam anchorage area 4. Twelve robbers in a speedboat approached the vessel and two of the robbers boarded the vessel. The alert crew raised the alarm, SSAS was activated and the port control was informed. The ship's crew mustered and took necessary anti-piracy measures. The robbers jumped into the water and escaped in their waiting boat. The police patrol boat came for investigation (IMB).
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4. GULF OF ADEN: Bulk carrier reported suspicious approach 11 Feb 08 at 0540 UTC while in position 13:38.5N-050:22.0E, approximately 70NM off the coast of Yemen. Two suspicious vessels, one with a blue hull, and the other with a red hull, and both with a white superstructure increased speed and altered its course towards the vessel. The master increased speed and altered course to increase CAP. Later, both suspicious vessels stopped following (IMB).
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5. GULF OF ADEN: Product tanker fired upon 01 Feb 08 at 1510 local time while underway in position 12:55N-051:23.6E. A small wooden fast boat with four men onboard was observed approaching the vessel. The alert crew put their piracy attack plan in place, locking the accommodation doors and starting the fire pumps. The small boat approached the tanker on the port side at a distance of about 60 meters and the men signaled the vessel to stop. The master had already commenced evasive maneuvering at which point the aggressors started firing at the tanker's accommodations. The tanker continued evasive maneuvers and discharged fire hoses throwing water along the deck and aft. The speedboat followed the vessel for about six miles appearing on the port and starboard quarter alternatively with the tanker's zigzagging. The small boat aborted the chase at 1530 local time. No damage to tanker except for bullet marks on exterior accommodations. All vessels in the vicinity were alerted on VHF and the incident was reported to Combined Maritime Forces in Bahrain (IMB, Operator).
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6. GULF OF ADEN: Tug (SVITZER KORSAKOV) hijacked 01 Feb 08 at 1400 UTC while underway in position 12:57N-051:24E. An unknown number of Somali pirates attacked and hijacked the vessel, taking its crew of six hostage. All crewmembers are reportedly unharmed and negotiations are underway for an unknown ransom amount. The spokesman of a group of gunmen who reportedly hijacked the ship has said that they are not pirates but are members of the Ocean Salvation Corps. He stated they are a group of Somali nationals who take it upon themselves to protect Somalia's shores. On 06 Feb 08, it was reported that Puntland authorities decided to send forces to rescue both hijacked vessels (the SVITZER KORSAKOV and the Omani fishing vessel) believed to be in Eyl. On 11 Feb 08, Abdullahi Said, the district commissioner for Eyl told the media that a warship had fired at Somali pirates while trying to resupply the hijacked vessel. According to Said, there were no casualties, and the pirates managed to escape. On 13 Feb 08, Hassan Osman Mohammad, Puntland's minister for petrol and mineral resources, stated Puntland troops in the northern region of Puntland exchanged gunfire with the hijackers. The fighting broke out when Puntland troops fired at the hijackers as they were docked nearby in Eyl. The pirates were reportedly waiting to have food and weapons delivered to them by accomplices in smaller boats. He claimed one civilian was killed in a nearby village and one Puntland soldier was wounded during the gunfire exchange. He stated the pirates had used long-range arms, which struck a few houses in the nearby fishing village (Operator, IMB, AFP, AP, Reuters, LM: Garowe, InsideSomalia).
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7. INDIAN OCEAN: Yachts reported suspicious approach 27 Feb 08 at 0700 UTC/1100 local time, while in position 13:05.6N-057:49.44E, 197NM east of Socotra Island, Yemen. The three vessels were approached by a 60-70ft long liner with at least 16 people on board. The three boats downed their sails and turned on their engines, increased speed and moved closer together. The suspicious vessel tried to force a path between the vessels but were unsuccessful. The suspicious boat offered fish in exchange for cigarettes, but were waved away and after approximately 15 minutes they moved away (Operator).
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8. INDIAN OCEAN: Yacht reported suspicious approach 24 Feb 08, while in position 11:55N-061:27.93E, 411NM east of Socotra Island, Yemen. The vessel reported seeing a 60ft fishing vessel behaving quite aggressively, towing fenders. The vessel eventually moved away (Operator).
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9. INIDIA: Oil Tanker boarded 08 Feb 08 at 0030 local time, Kandla anchorage. The duty watchman on the vessel noticed robbers on the forecastle. Upon seeing the alert crew, the robbers jumped overboard and escaped. The padlock of the forecastle store was broken, however nothing was stolen (IMB).
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10. SRI LANKA: Possible fishing vessel manned by suspected LTTE members attack, kill sailors of Sri Lankan Navy, 04 Feb 08 at 1830 local time, off Talaimannar. LTTE reportedly hijacked an Indian fishing boat and used it to fire at the Sri Lankan Navy; however; Indian authorities believe the firing was not done from an Indian boat but from an LTTE vessel. The LTTE fired RPG's from the possible Indian trawler, destroying a naval craft and killing six of the seven sailors on board. No retaliation could be taken because it was getting dark and there were approximately 400 Indian fishing vessels in close proximity. It is also unclear on exactly how the LTTE obtained the fishing vessels. Ten local fishermen are being questioned to verify reports about their vessels being used in the attack against the Sri Lankan Navy. Coast Guard officials stated that it may be a possibility that the fishermen were never hijacked but could have been lending out their boats to the LTTE in exchange for a rent payment on the vessels and would also allow the fishermen to fish in the area where plenty of fish was available (LM: The Hindu, Daily News and Analysis).
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11. SRI LANKA: Yacht (COBRA) reported suspicious approach 29 Jan 08 while underway in position 06:00.8N - 082:01.9E, 130nm East of Galle. A red fishing boat with five men onboard approached the vessel. The crew fired shots in the air and the suspicious craft moved away. The boat attempted to close in on the yacht twice, at 0830 and 1100 UTC but was unsuccessful (Operator: Noonsite.com).
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I. RED SEA: No current incidents to report.
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J. PERSIAN GULF: No current incidents to report.
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K. SOUTHEAST ASIA:
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1. SOUTH CHINA SEA: Bulk carrier reported suspicious approach 02 Feb 08 at 0030 local time while underway in position 05:09N-106:51E. Two unlit white-hull speedboats, about five meters long, approached the vessel (IMB).
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2. MALAYSIA: General cargo ship boarded, robbed 17 Feb 08 at 0540 local time while in position 05:48N-118:05E, Berth no. 2, Sandakan port. The duty crew on board the vessel reported that a boat approached from the port bow. One robber was noticed on the forecastle deck passing ship stores to the other robbers in the boat. On seeing the alert crew, the robber jumped overboard and escaped with the ship stores. The forward booby hatch lock was found broken. The IMP PRC was notified who then liaised with local police for further action. Police arrived and conducted an investigation (IMB).
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L. NORTH ASIA: No current incidents to report.
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M. PACIFIC-ANTARCTIC OCEAN: No current incidents to report.
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N. ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC NON-STATE ACTIVIST GROUPS:
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1. SEA SHEPHERD CONSERVATION SOCIETY/GREENPEACE: Environmentalists have been forced to abandon their campaign of direct action against Japanese whalers in the Antarctic because their ships are running low on fuel, per 27 Jan 08 reporting. The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society vessel (STEVE IRWIN) will head for Melbourne, Australia to undergo minor repairs and refuel while its crew tries to secure enough fuel to resume its pursuit of harpoon boats in the Antarctic. Greenpeace called off its campaign during the weekend of 26 Jan 08. The Greenpeace vessel (ESPERANZA) was also running low on fuel after its two-week pursuit of the fleet's factory ship, the (NISSHIN MARU) and is currently heading for Hobart. The whalers are reportedly moving towards the Ross Sea according to an Orion flight that took photographs of the Japanese whaling activities last week (LM: Guardian, Radio New Zealand, stuff.co.nz).