Updated – hijacked fishing vessel now being used as a mothership

UPDATE – Vessel reported as hijacked now in position 02°06’38”N 005°47’12”E.

It is assessed that the vessel is being used as a Mothership and operating in the area of last evenings attacks (Ref: Advisory 003/Feb/21) and therefore remains a threat to merchant shipping in the area. The vessel is a Tuna FV with a blue hull and white superstructure. Request that any sightings of this vessel are reported to MDAT GoG.

Reporting indicates that that the Gabon flagged fishing vessel LIANPENGYU has been boarded presumed hijacked. The LIANPENGYU is understood to have a crew of 14 all Chinese nationals. 

The vessel was last sighted in the vicinity of 00° 51.4S 007° 20.20E heading course 275 at 9kts. 

Earlier reports indicate that the MT SEAKING sighted a small boat being launched from a suspected mother vessel near by. This incident occurred 14nm SW of the latest sighting of the LIANPENGYU. There is a realistic possibility that the LIANPENGYU is being used as a mother vessel to facilitate further attacks. 

Reports indicate that the boat came alongside and the attackers attempted to board the vessel using ladders. The master is understood to have taken evasive action and the original boarding failed. 

Vessels are reminded that the risk profile for all vessels operating within the Gulf of Guinea is CRITICAL at this time with further incidents highly likely and expected daily. 

This the 11^th offshore incident this year and the 5th successful boarding. Notably this is the third attack recorded within 2021 that occurred out with the JWRC HRA.

Total incidents throughout West Africa in 2020 showed a partial increase of 12% on those of 2019. Incidents involving failed approaches showed a significant increase within 2020 with 25 such incidents recorded against 10 in 2019. 

It is highly likely that the attack was perpetrated by the same grouping that targeted the SEA PHANTOM on the 6th February. It is highly likely that further incidents will occur within the coming days. As such the risk level for all vessels operating within the Gulf of Guinea is to be considered CRITICAL. 

Dryad advises all vessels to avoid the vicinity of the reported incident, reporting all suspicious activity to the relevant maritime authorities. 

It is the ARX recommendation that all owners and operators install correct and enhanced primary hardening measures. These include the ARX ABaC System and the ARX Evictor. The ARX Anti-Piracy Barrier will stop a boarding taking place.