On 30 Dec 10 at or about 0535 hrs, six robbers boarded a Belize-registered tug boat, Samho T8 from a speed boat at approximately 3.5 nm southeast of Tanjung Ramunia, Malaysia (1° 19.97' N, 104° 17.62' E). The robbers held the crew hostage in a cabin, and took away cash and the crew’s personal belongings. They damaged some of the ship equipment before escaping. The crew was not injured.
The ship master reported the incident to Singapore’s Port Operations Control Centre (POCC) which is also the ReCAAP Focal Point (Singapore). The POCC initiated navigational broadcast on VHF and NAVTEX to alert mariners operating the vicinity. The POCC also informed the Singapore Police Coast Guard, Republic of Singapore Navy, RCC Jakarta and MRCC Putrajaya about the incident.
Reported by ReCAAP Focal Point (Singapore)
Comments by ReCAAP ISC
Since January 2010, this is the tenth incident reported in the vicinity off Tanjung Ayam and Tanjung Ramunia, Johor, Malaysia. The last incident involving Singapore-registered product tanker, Kiel occurred on 12 Oct 10 south of Tanjung Ayam.
Samho T-8 Flag Belize IMO 9566667 build 2010, operator Samho Industry, Busan.