Tug Piracy

[Ivan Cloherty]

Just been reading a report where the pirating of tugs and barges is on the increase. In fact tugs in the far East are being stolen to order whilst at sea. Advice has been given to Tug masters and mates that they should inspect the paint locker prior to sailing, to establish whether or not it contains paint colours that are not normally carried by the tug. If colours are found that are not normally carried it means that there is collusion between a crew member or members, or even the Master or mate with the hijackers. If such paint is found then owners are advised to contact the local police and also change the crew if possible.

The paint allows the hijackers to change the colour of the funnel and decks and names so that patrolling helicopters will not recognise the hijacked vessel whose details they have on record. Owners are advised not to sign on a crew of the same nationality or tribal area, as such crews could be persuaded to co-operate with the pirates or may even be employed by them before they are engaged by the tug/shipowner. Also shipyards in certain areas are also in collusion with the pirates and have prefabricated parts ready to alter the appearance of funnels and bridge structure on the pirated tugs at short notice, thus altering the profile for surface patrol vessels.

The opportunistic pirate is becoming a thing of the past, it is all organised business now, or it would appear to becoming so on an even larger scale

[j.sabourn]

Ivan they will have to put a chip in the ship the same as they do with a dog. (dont mean a one out of the frying pan ) Cheers John Sabourn

[Rocky]

Ivan they will have to put a chip in the ship the same as they do with a dog. (dont mean a one out of the frying pan ) Cheers John Sabourn

The problem is these guys can afford the cost of a hand held scanner to find the chip and turn it into a weeeee spurlash if it still works under water nobody will be looking for the stolen tugs