Equipment stolen from BP tanker

News was prepared under the information support of Online Daily Newspaper on Hellenic and international Shipping "Hellenic Shipping News".

31 Jan 2010

Robbers have allegedly stolen a liferaft and two immersion suits from a BP tanker. The 106,070 dwt Aframax 'British Holly' ship was anchored in Manila Bay , off the island of Luzon, Philippines, when the crew spotted wet footprints on deck at about 1400 hours on 21st January. After a check of equipment, they realised that several items were missing. The crew alerted the Vessel Traffic Management System in Manila.
A Philippine Coast Guard vessel was dispatched to the tanker at about 1445 hours. The Coast Guard said that it appeared that the robbers could have boarded using a grappling hook.
The anti-piracy watchdog ReCAAP (Regional Co-operation Agreement on Combating Piracy & Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia) advised that ship masters and crew of all types of ships to maintain vigilance at all times and take necessary measures while at anchor.
Reporting of an actual, attempted or suspected attack is important because it helps alert ships in the vicinity to a potential threat and helps the authorities respond as the attackers might still be near, ReCAAP said.

Source: Tanker Operator