ReCAAP ISC has released Guidance on Abduction of Crew in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and Waters off Eastern Sabah

The ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre has produced the “Guidance on Abduction of Crew in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and Waters off Eastern Sabah”. Between 2016 and 2019, a total of 29 incidents of abduction of crew (comprising 18 actual incidents and 11 attempted incidents) were reported to ReCAAP ISC. In the 18 actual incidents, 75 crew were abducted in total.  Among them, 65 crew were released or rescued, and 10 crew were killed or died. Currently, there is no crew in captivity.

In light of the existing threat of abduction of crew in the area as demonstrated by the latest incident on 18 June 2019, ReCAAP ISC made this Guidance to assist the shipping industry and ships to enhance their situation awareness and avoid such incidents. This Guidance consists of advisory on the measures to be taken by the ships transiting the area, including contact details and the Notice to Mariners (NOTAM) issued by the Philippines and Malaysia. It also shares the analysis of incidents based on the information collected from past incidents.

The Guidance is produced by the ReCAAP ISC in collaboration with the Philippine Coast Guard (ReCAAP Focal Point of the Philippines) and it is supported by the Asian Shipowners’ Association (ASA) and Singapore Shipping Association (SSA).

This Guidance complements the general guidance contained in the “Regional Guide to Counter Piracy and armed Robbery against Ships in Asia” produced by the ReCAAP ISC.

The Guidance is available for download here: http://www.recaap.org/guidebook