Bourbon PSV Escapes Pirate Attack off Nigeria

In late February, the Bourbon Offshore PSV Bourbon Explorer 502 escaped an attempted pirate attack that bore remarkable similarity to the boarding and kidnapping that occurred off Nigeria on March 10.

On the morning of February 28, as the Bourbon Explorer 502 was operating about 30 nm southwest of Bonny Island in the Gulf of Guinea, she was approached by 16 armed pirates in two speedboats. In response, her bridge crew increased speed and started evasive maneuvers. All non-essential personnel mustered in the vessel’s citadel.

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Source: maritime-executive.com

Nigeria: Navy Tackles Rising Cases of Illegal Fishing, to Acquire Dedicated Vessels

By Chiemelie Ezeobi

Given the astronomical rise of cases of Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported (IUU) fishing in Nigeria’s maritime domain, the Nigerian Navy (NN), yesterday said it has concluded plans with the Federal Department of Fisheries for the acquisition of dedicated vessels to contain the menace.

The Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, who was represented by the Naval Chief of Policy and Plans, Rear Admiral Beegroy Ibe-Enwo, made this disclosure in Lagos at the ongoing three-day Senior Leadership Symposium.

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Source: allafrica.com

16 fishermen hijacked from the Bay of Bengal

Sumon Shikdar, Barguna

The robbers looted the fish, fuel, and fishing nets from the trawlers, and abducted the fishermen Pirates hijack 16 fishermen and four fishing boats from the Bay of Bengal near Barguna.

President of Barguna district fishing trawler owners association, Golam Mustafa Chowdhury, confirmed the abduction of the fishermen and their boats from Jahajkhari, Bay of Bengal, on Friday night.

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Source: dhakatribune.com

US, Philippine Navies Sail from Manila Bay

SOUTH CHINA SEA

03.19.2019

Courtesy Story

Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet

SOUTH CHINA SEA – U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) conducted a maritime cooperative activity with Philippine Navy (PN) vessel BRP Ramon Alcaraz (FF 16), March 19.

Following Blue Ridge’s port visit to Manila in which 7th Fleet-Philippine Navy staff talks were held, the routine drills strengthened both navies’ ability to communicate, maneuver and operate together. The U.S. and Philippine navies routinely conduct engagements, exercises and port visits like this and have done so for decades.

“I couldn’t be prouder of the relationships we’ve built with our allies in the Philippines,” said Capt. Eric Anduze, commanding officer of USS Blue Ridge. “Having the opportunity to work closely with them at sea only strengthens our crew’s ability to operate in the Indo-Pacific.”

Exercises like MTA Sama Sama, Balikatan, SEACAT and RIMPAC enhance maritime cooperation between both navies, while annual missions like Pacific Partnership bolster humanitarian assistance disaster relief (HADR) capabilities.

Blue Ridge recently completed a nearly 2-year extended dry-dock selected restricted availability period and numerous certifications, to ensure she remains ready to provide security in the Indo-Pacific region. Blue Ridge is commanded by Capt. Eric Anduze and serves under Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group 7/Task Force 76, the Navy’s only forward-deployed amphibious force.

Source: dvidshub.net

2 Abu Sayyaf bandits killed, another captured

By BONG GARCIA

TWO Abu Sayyaf bandits were killed while another was captured in separate clashes in the provinces of Sulu and Basilan.

Colonel Gerry Besana, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) information officer, said no casualty was reported on the government side in both clashes. The Abu Sayyaf bandits are on the run.

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Source: sunstar.com.ph

Niger Delta Agitators Threaten Fresh Oil War, Ask Buhari to Restrain Amaechi

By Emma Amaize

Activists in Niger -Delta, weekend, called on President Muhammadu Buhari to put the Minister of Transport, Rt. Hon Rotimi Amaechi, under control before he plunges the nation into another full-blown oil war.

The campaigners under the auspices of 21st Century Youths of Niger Delta and Agitators with Conscience, in a statement by self-styled “General” Izon Ebi, said, “This will happen if our rights, aspiration and determination of the people to use their PVCs to choose or elect our preferred candidate and representatives are further trampled upon.”

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Source: allafrica.com

Draft maritime zones bill proposes special tribunal

Shakhawat Hossain

The government has drafted the Maritime Zones Bill proposing establishment of a special tribunal to deal with piracy, robbery and maritime violence in the Bangladesh territorial waters settled through legal battles with against India and Myanmar in an international court.

The draft proposed death sentence or life term in addition to forfeiture of property for causing death while committing and offence and indentified two ‘grey areas’ with India and Myanmar.

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Source: newagebd.net

Attack by pirates forces MP to buy sea ambulance

Raicoast people will now have a sea ambulance that will also cater for sea emergencies in the Raicoast waters.

MP Peter Sapia made the announcement last week following the attack and robbery of 13 people from Astrolabe Bay local level government. Sapia said the district development authority planned to buy a sea ambulance.

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Source: thenational.com.pg

Nigeria, Gulf of Guinea nations partner on sea border patrol

By Eugene Agha Lagos

The Federal Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Gulf of Guinea nations that will allow for a seamless border patrol.

The Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Obed Ngalabak, disclosed this to newsmen in Lagos yesterday on the activities to flag off this year’s multinational sea exercise code name “OBANGAME”.

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Source: dailytrust.com.ng

Nigerian Pirates Kidnap Five After Firefight with Escort Boat

According to the ICC IMB’s Piracy Report, Nigerian pirates kidnapped five crewmembers from an OSV in the Gulf of Guinea last weekend despite the efforts of a security escort vessel. After an active firefight between the escort and the attackers, pirates boarded the target vessel, ransacked its cabins and made off with the victims.

At about 1115 hours UTC on Saturday, at a position about 30 nm off Brass, Nigeria, armed pirates in two speed boats approached an OSV under way. The OSV’s captain called for help from what IMB ICC described as a “naval escort security boat,” which maneuvered to engage the attackers. One speed boat closed in from port side of the vessel and crossed the bow, while the other speed boat exchanged fire with the security boat.

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Source: maritime-executive.com