1

Date: 3rd April 2019Series 13/Issue 171

Weekly Security & Risk Report

2MAST UK: +44 (0)1279 216 726 operations@mast-security.com www.mast-security.com

This report is copyright of Maritime Asset Security and Training (MAST) © 2019. All rights reserved.

This report is intended to provide general information about maritime intelligence topics but does not provide individual advice and the creators assume no liability for the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of any information contained herein, or though links you will find in it. Furthermore, using this report or sending MAST emails does not create a service provider- client relation-ship. It is intended only as an introduction to ideas and concepts only. It should not be treated as a definitive guide, nor should it be considered to cover every area of concern or regarded as an advice.

If you copy from this report, you have to refer to Maritime Asset Security and Training (MAST) Ltd as the source of the copied material. You may not, except with our express written permission, commercially exploit the content.

Maritime

Counter piracy

ISPS services

Training

K&R and Ship Arrest

Risk Consulting

Due Diligence

Risk management

Crisis management

Training

Technical Yacht Security

System Design, Installation and Maintenance

Technical Consultancy

Cyber Risk Consultancy

TSCM Sweeping Services

Physical and Asset Protection

Close Protection

Residential Security

Security Chauffeurs

Events and Clubs

Training

“Making the world a safer place to live and work”

MAST ServicesMAST has the experience, capability and global presence to provide comprehensive

support to our clients.

3

The Security and Risk Report Series focuses on:

• Operational risks in areas of instability which could affect the safety of commercial and private vessels and personnel ashore and at sea.

• In country reporting on key countries where civil conflict are directly impacting on maritime opera-tions; and

• Reporting and analysis of incidents of terrorism, pi-racy and other related criminal activity. MAST has a global reach and presence, delivering first hand, accurate and exclusive intelligence. MAST is entrenched and committed in continuing to supportand promote the awareness of the very real risks thatseafarers and other stakeholders face. This Intelligence Report Series is a brief snapshot ofMAST’s Intelligence capabilities. MAST Intelligencespecialises in providing clients with a suite of prod-ucts and services, including; political and economic risk analysis, detailed port and vessel security briefs, vessel passage plans, threat and risk mitigation and travel risk management. Working closely in conjunction with a host of experts,MAST Intelligence offers a market leading service pertaining to all maritime affairs.

Follow MAST on LinkedIn and Twitter to keep abreast with these insightful weekly reports and more — including real time security updates.

Editor: David Riderwww.mast-security.com

Issue 171

Contents:

Mast Services

Indian Ocean region

Somalia

Yemen

Mediterranean

Libya

Gulf of Guinea

South East Asia

Central & South America

Severe Weather Warnings

Page

2

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

3rd April 2019

24/7 Emergency Telephone+44 (0) 1202 045 833 (Maritime)

MAST UK+44 (0)1279 216 726 operations@mast-security.com

Issue 171 of the series reviews, analyses and threat assesses the fragile and conflict affected coastal states Libya, Somalia and Yemen. The Mediterranean migrant crisis, incidents affecting maritime security and influencing maritime news are also report-ed and analysed, focusing on the keys theatres of maritime instability.

4MAST UK: +44 (0)1279 216 726 operations@mast-security.com www.mast-security.com

Hijack

Kidnap

Approach/Attack

Suspicious Activity Theft

Incidents: Nothing significant to report.

Iran Eyes on Chabahar Port to nullify US SanctionsAmid the imposition of the tightening US sanctions, Iran has been looking to its port in the Southeast region in order to en-sure the flow of goods. The only Iranian port, Chabahar port is free from US sanctions which were reimposed by the US in 2018.

Pakistan, Oman agree to boost bilateral cooperation in de-fence sectorCommander Royal Air Force of Oman Air Vice Marshal Ma-tar Ali Matar Al Obaidani called on Naval Chief Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi in Islamabad on April 1st. The Naval Chief highlighted Pakistan’s commitment and performance in fight against terrorism and piracy at sea including initiation of Re-gional Maritime Security Patrol in Indian Ocean Region.

Cruise ship terminal to boost tourist arrivalsPresident Uhuru Kenyatta on Thursday 28th inspected the ongoing construction of the Sh350 million cruise ship termi-nal at the port of Mombasa. Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balal said the terminal is now 40 per cent complete and will be ready for the next cruise ship tourism season that begins in September.

Navy sailor dies in firing drills onboard INS GomatiA 21-year-old Indian Navy sailor Mohan Raj died after he suf-fered grievous injuries during a firing drill onboard INS Gomati, a government statement said on Thursday 28th. A Board of In-quiry has been ordered.

India despatches fourth ship to Mozambique with aidThe Indian Navy has despatched a fourth ship to Mozambique hit by tropical cyclone Idai to assist in disaster relief. “INS Magar, an amphibious warfare vessel, departed Mumbai for Port Beira in Mozambique with essential relief material for the cyclone ravaged areas,” the Navy said in a statement on Thursday 28th.

HMS Dragon signs off tour with further drug seizuresRoyal Navy warship, HMS Dragon, concluded its operations under the command of Combined Task Force (CTF) 150 on a high note with two final drug seizures before heading back to its homeport of Portsmouth. The Combined Maritime Forces report that the ship intercepted two consignments of illegal drugs including 224kg of heroin and over 2500kg of hashsh.

Indian Navy commissions 3rd air base in AndamansThe Indian Navy on Thursday 28th commissioned a new air base in the strategically located Andaman and Nicobar islands as part of efforts to expand operational presence in the Indian Ocean where China has been increasing its military presence.

To see MAST’s services in the Indian Ocean Region, please click here.

Indian Ocean Region On March 29th, Spain took over from Britain command of the European Union maritime mission that combats piracy off the coast of Somalia as Britain’s planned departure from the bloc nears. Spanish vice admiral Antonio Martorell relieved British major general Charlie Strickland as com-mander of “Operation Atalanta” during a ceremony held at the Rota naval base in southern Spain.

5

Control of Somali territory (March 2017) Source: Wikimedia Commons

AnalysisAl Shabaab continues to mount operations throughout the coun-try, despite efforts by US Central Command to degrade its ca-pabilities with ongoing airstrikes and the work done by AMISOM forces. Threat AssessmentThe political situation has seen increased tension between re-gional states and the Federal Government. Should this continue, there is an opportunity for criminal organisations to return to their previous maritime activities. Al Shabaab continues to challenege the government and efforts to disrupt its operations continue, although AMISOM forces will withdraw in 2019. The trade in il-legal charcoal by terror and crime groups continues, although the Combined Maritime Forces and UN are working on measures to prevent it. Youth unemployment in Somalia has not improved with 67% of Somali male youths aged between 14 to 29 unemployed. Pirate financiers offer lucrative and attractive opportunities, and were seen to be increasingly active in the last inter-monsoon period. Recent incidents off Somalia have highlighted the robust protections offered by both BMP5 and well trained, vigilant armed protection teams. Illegal fishing has returned to the region and there are wider political concerns that it could spark a resurgence in maritime crime unless checked. There is a risk that compla-cency in some quarters has seen a reduction in PMSC presence in these waters that could result in a piracy success. A lack of adherence to BMP5 protocol, particularly not maintaining a safe distance off the coast, has increased risks to shipping. Merchant vessels would be wise to maintain the same distance from the coast, particularly ensuring that the Socotra Gap isn’t taken. All vessels are advised to update risk assessments and register with UKMTO/MSCHOA prior to entering the Indian Ocean High Risk Area (HRA).

MAST UK: +44 (0)1279 216 726 operations@mast-security.com www.mast-security.com

Under control of Al Shabaab and allies Under control of neutral forces Under control of Government and allies Somaliland Government Territory disputed by Puntland and Somaliland

SomaliaKenya is again considering closing the Dadaab refugee camp, once the world’s largest, two years after the nation’s High Court blocked the proposed shutdown that drew criticism from human rights groups. The United Nations refugee agency “is aware of the renewed call by the govern-ment of Kenya to close the camp,” Dana Hughes, a UNHCR spokeswoman, said Thursday 28th in emailed responses to questions.

United Nations linked to Al Shabaab paymentsThe United Nations has been accused of pouring billions to Somalia’s Al Shabaab. Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Macharia Kamau has said the UN was giving 10 per cent of humanitarian aid to terrorists to grant safe passage of food and other supplies in war-torn regions controlled by the deadly mi-litia group.

Al Shabaab attacks baseAl Shabaab militants attacked a joint Somali Natonal Army (SNA)-AMISOM position in Qoryoley town in Lower Shabelle region in southern Somalia on March 31st. SNA and AMISOM forces repelled the attack after heavy fighting.

Military reshuffled following surge in attacksThe Somali government reshuffled some top leadership in the Somali National Army (SNA) on March 31st following a series of recent Al Shabaab attacks in Mogadishu. The government appointed the former military attaché to the Somali embassy in Saudi Arabia as the new deputy chief of the SNA.

Al Shabaab executes “spies”Associated Press reported on October 31st that Al Shabaab terorists had killed four men accused of spying for the Somali military. The men were reportedly killed in Kamsuma, a town in the Lower Jubba region.

Somali, AU Forces Seek to Step up Intelligence Sharing to

Flush Out TerroristsSomali and African Union forces wrapped up a two-day con-ference in Mogadishu on Wednesday 27th aimed at enhanc-ing intelligence sharing to help flush out terrorist groups in the Horn of the African nation. The meeting, organized by the Af-rican Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) called for strict vigi-lance and enhanced collaboration among various security ac-tors in Somalia to defeat the armed insurgency in the country, the AU mission said in a statement.

Security Council Extends Mandate of United Nations Assis-tance Mission in SomaliaThe Security Council decided today to extend until 31st March 2020 the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), as previously set out in resolution 2158 (2014), and requested the Mission to maintain and strengthen its presence throughout the country, as the security situation allows.

Car bomb blast ‘kills 15’ in Somalia’s MogadishuAt least 15 people have killed in a car bomb explosion near a hotel and restaurants in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, ac-cording to rescue services. The blast on Thursday 28th after-noon in the busy Maka Al-Mukarama road sent a huge cloud of smoke into the sky, causing destruction in nearby buildings and parked cars.

6

Control of Yemen territory (September 25th 2018)

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Houthi

Pro Hadi Government Forces

Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)

MAST UK: +44 (0)1279 216 726 operations@mast-security.com www.mast-security.com

Controlled by Southern Transitional Council

YemenA U.S. State Department spokesman on Thursday 28th called the bombing earlier that week of a Save the Children-supported hospital in Yemen “awful” and urged the Saudi-led coalition fight-ing in Yemen to conduct an investigation. The 9:30 a.m. strike killed seven people, including four children, the organization said in a statement. Among the dead were a health worker and the person’s two children, as well as two other children and a security guard. Eight people also were wounded, Reuters reported.

Houthis lose areas in Hodeidah’s Hais and Hajjah’s AbsYemen’s army forced Iran-backed Houthi militia to retreat from areas in Hais, south of Hodeidah province, Saudi state-news agency SPA reported on Sunday 31st.

Red Sea Security Is A Global ConcernWashington will this month host an international meeting ded-icated to Red Sea security and emerging threats. Military and political experts will discuss existing international and regional cooperation to deal with those threats and suggest ways to promote greater cooperation in safeguarding the waterway.

Dozens killed in clashes between troops, rebels in southAt least 13 soldiers and dozens of Houthi rebels were killed in clashes in Yemen’s southern province of Dhalea on Sunday 31st, a government source said. Fighting raged after the rebels seized control over several sites three days ago in the north of Dhalea, about 245 km south of rebel-held capital Sanaa.

US carries out first airstrikes in Yemen in nearly 3 monthsThe US military carried out a series of six airstrikes in Yemen last week targeting the local al Qaeda affiliate there. They were the first US airstrikes in Yemen since January 1st, when the US conducted two strikes, including one that killed Jamal al-Bad-awi, an al Qaeda operative linked to the 2000 attack on the USS Cole.

UAE-backed Yemeni security forces arrest al-Qaida explo-sives expertYemeni security forces launched an anti-terror raid and arrest-ed an explosives expert of the Yemen-based al-Qaida branch in the southern province of Abyan, a security source said on Sunday 31st.

Government forces capture 45 rebels in northwestern YemenGovernment forces have captured dozens of Houthi rebels in northwestern Yemen, according to the Yemeni army on Sat-urday 30th. In a statement, the army said 45 rebels were held in Hajjah province as part of an ongoing military campaign in the area.

Yemen’s army shoots down another Houthi droneYemen’s army shot down the fourth Houthi drone in March while it was in Nihm district of the Sanaa governorate airspace, Saudi news agency SPA reported on Saturday 30th.

23 dead as cholera epidemic hits Yemen’s TaizA total of 23 people died in March following a cholera outbreak that hit Yemen’s southwestern province of Taiz, a health offi-cial told Xinhua on Friday 29th. Abdul Rahim Samai, director of the Public Health and Population Department in Taiz province, said that nearly 5,488 suspected cholera cases have been reg-istered since early January.

UN Yemen envoy: Hodeidah troop redeployment slow but will happenThe UN envoy to Yemen said on Thursday 28th the redeploy-ment of rival factions in the key port city of Hodeidah is “slow” but will happen. Martin Griffiths made the comments as Saudi Deputy Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman discussed the Yemen cease-fire deal with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Washington.

Support from Arab League reaffirmedThe Arab League reaffirmed its support for President Hadi’s government during the 30th Arab League summit in Tunis, Tu-nisia on March 31st. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov also reaffirmed Russia’s support for the Hadi gov-ernment during a meeting with President Hadi in Tunis on the same day.

To see the latest threat analysis and Yemen port information in MASTOPDEIA, please click here.

MAST recommends BMP measures be enforced and watches strengthened during transits in the region.

7

Migrant crossings 2016-2019. Source: UNHRC

MAST UK: +44 (0)1279 216 726 operations@mast-security.com www.mast-security.com

Migrant statistics in the Mediterranean (Figures last updated on April 2nd 2019). Source: UNHCR

Mediterranean European Union officials lamented on Wednesday 27th a move by member countries to recall their ships taking part in an EU naval mission patrolling the Mediterranean Sea for migrants at-tempting the dangerous water crossing from North Africa. The EU’s Operation Sophia works to reduce migrant-smuggling, trains the Libyan coast guard and enforces an arms embargo on Libya. It has rescued almost 49,000 people trying to reach Europe in often unseaworthy boats, according to the EU.

Sea Watch rescue ship prevented from sailingThe NGO rescue ship Sea Watch 3 has been prevented from embarking on new operations by the Netherlands, its own flag state. A new policy imposed by the Dutch Ministry of In-frastructure and Water Management will take effect, which has severe implications on Sea-Watch and other NGOs oper-ating ships under the Dutch flag, the operators said on Tues-day 2nd.

Four dead as migrant boat sinks off western TurkeyFour people, including a baby, died early on Tuesday 26th morning when a dinghy carrying migrants sank off the north-western coast of Ayvacik in Turkey, the coast guard said.

Ship hijacked by migrants off Libya escorted to MaltaA merchant ship hijacked by refugees and migrants off the coast of Libya on March 27th has been escorted to Malta by the country’s armed forces. Armed military personnel stood guard on the ship’s deck and a dozen or so migrants were visible as the Elhibru 1 docked at Boiler Wharf in the city of Senglea. Several police vans were lined up on shore and five men who were believed to be suspects in commandeering the vessel were led off in handcuffs.

EU helped rescue nearly 730,000 migrants in Mediterra-nean since 2015While many lives have been saved, the EU is dropping a ma-jor part of its anti-smuggling operation Sophia, which helped save refugees stranded at sea. The European Union (EU) aid-ed in the rescues of nearly 730,000 people in the Mediter-ranean Sea since 2015. This is according to figures from the European Commission, which were cited in several German newspapers on Sunday 31st.

The current migrant smuggling situationThe region is poised to enter a period of uncertainty, as Operation Sophia’s naval patrols are due to end in favour of maritime patrol aircraft. The timing couldn’t be worse, given last week’s “hijack” of a merchant vessel by migrants who did not want to return to Libya. However, the EU has faced significant criticism for not do-ing more to stem the flow and has been accused of being a ‘taxi service’ for migrants. The absence of rescue vessels will place additional pressure on NGO groups, the Libyan Coast Guard and commercial shipping. Given last week’s incident, the question is now how the merchant marine will respond and whether shipping companies who use the region regularly will require the presence of security teams on board, who could mitigate any risk following a rescue at sea.

8

Control of Northern Libyan territory (Nov. 7th 2018)

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Controlled by the Tobruk led government

Controlled by the Government of National Accord

Controlled by ISIS

Controlled by local forces

Controlled by Tuareg forces

MAST UK: +44 (0)1279 216 726 operations@mast-security.com www.mast-security.com

LibyaOil-rich Libya, torn between a UN-backed government based in Tripoli and an alternative admin-istration and institutions in the east, could see the years-long political crisis solved this month by the creation of a single government, according to eastern strongman General Khalifa Haftar. “Libyans will have a single cabinet this month,” the English version of Arab newspaper Asharq al-Awsat quoted Haftar as saying, Oil Price reported.

Libya on brink of Tripoli showdownAfter taking large areas of southern Libya and two key oil fa-cilities earlier this year, Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, operating under Libya’s eastern-based government, has pulled his Lib-yan National Army (LNA) forces back from the south towards western Libya, in a move widely seen as paving the way for an assault on Tripoli.

Libyan Audit Bureau rejects budget approved by GNALibya Audit Bureau, the highest financial regulatory authority in the country, has rejected the 2019 budget announced by the Government of National Accords (GNA) last month. The Audit Bureau said the legislative authority represented by the Tobruk based House of Representatives did not approve the budget according to the law and “lacked financial or economic reforms”.

Libya hands over arms smuggler to ItalyLibyan authorities have handed over arms dealer Franco Giorgi, who is accused of smuggling weapons from Europe to Libya and has been in Libya’s custody for two years, to Italy. The arms smuggler has a 2016 arrest warrant issued by Italy as he was a mediator for selling large amounts of weapons and ammunition to Libya.

Tripoli Protection Force to unite military zones from Libya’s Ras Ajdair to SirteThe Tripoli Protection Force (TPF) said the central and western military zones had agreed to form a force under a unified com-mand to be positioned in the area from Ras Ajdair on border with Tunisia to Sirte. TPF added in a statement on Sunday 31st that the aim is to prevail security in the area and reject having the western region as a battlefield among Libyans.

Libya holds municipal elections in 9 areasThe Libyan Central Commission for Municipal Councils Elec-tions (CCMCE) said 9 municipalities saw voting on Saturday, adding that since 8.00 PM on the same day the personnel had been sorting out the votes, expecting to announce the results starting from Sunday 31st. The CCMCE said the turnout in the

9 municipalities reached about 40% of the registered voters.

Italian NGO claims Libya ports not safe for rescued migrantsThe Italian organization “Mediterranea Saving Humans” said that the statement of the Italian Ministry of Interior regarding the Libyan ports being a safe place to disembark migrants in is a distortion of reality. The organization added that the inclu-sion of Libya within the search and rescue area is contrary to the statement of the spokeswoman for the European Commis-sion for Migration, Natasha Bertaud, who confirmed that there will be no repatriation of migrants to Libya.

AU proposes hosting a Libyan reconciliation conferenceAfrican Union (AU) Commission Chairman Moussa Faki on Monday 1st proposed hosting a national reconciliation confer-ence to solve the political crisis in Libya. Faki made his remarks during a meeting with Libya’s Prime Minister Fayez Serraj, in the Libyan capital Tripoli, where the two officials discussed Libya’s latest political and security developments as well as upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections in the country.

Libya’s Vital Oil in Peril as Conflict Rages, UN Envoy SaysA dearth of investment in Libya’s oil sector, as well as heavy borrowing by the state from local banks, is sharply undercut-ting the OPEC member’s ability to revive production critical to the economy, the United Nations envoy to the country said.

Security Chamber of Misurata confirms disposal of remnants of war in SirteThe Bomb Disposal Unit has disposed of a large number of explosive materials, planted in Sirte city by the extremist group ISIS. The quantity amounted to about four tons, including ex-plosive charges and label displays, according to the Security Chamber of Misurata, confirming that the explosives were dis-posed of in the area of Kararim, east of Misurata.

To read MAST’s Libyan Country report on MASTOPEDIA, please click here.

9

4°30’

5°00’

4°00’

3°30’

7°00’6°30’ 7°30’5°00’ 5°30’ 6°00’ 8°00’4°30’

6°00’

5°30’

3°30’ 4°00’

Hijack

MAST UK: +44 (0)1279 216 726 operations@mast-security.com www.mast-security.com

Kidnap

Approach/Attack

Suspicious Activity

Theft

1

Gulf of GuineaOver the weekend of March 30th-31st, sources within the Joint Task Force (JTF) code named Operation Delta Safe, a special security outfit, fighting criminalities in the Niger Delta region, dis-closed that some of its operations led to a huge increase of daily oil production from 900bpd to over two million barrels per day. The Commander of the JTF, Operation Delta Safe (OPDS), Rear Admiral Suleiman Apochi, noted that when he took over more than two years ago, militancy and vandalism had cut oil production by about a third.

Incidents: 1. Armed persons attacked and boarded Liberia-flagged con-tainer ship at 2140 UTC n position 03:53N - 009:30E, around 15nm Southwest of Douala, Cameroon. Four crew members kidnapped. Persons escaped. Vessel reported safe after re-maining crew sailed into Douala port. Investigation ongoing. Reported (MDAT/IMB) 30th Mar.

Nigerian Navy redeploys 32 senior officersThe Nigerian Navy has redeployed 32 Rear Admirals in a major shakeup, according to postings from the Navy head-quarters released on Monday 1st in Abuja. The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, approved the major re-organisation of the top echelon of the force.

Troops Arrest Suspected Bandits And Pipeline Vandals, Seize TankerTroops of Operation Whirl Stroke have arrested two suspected armed bandits in Doma Local Government Area (LGA) of Na-sarawa State. The Acting Director of Defence Information at the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), Colonel Onyema Nwachuk-wu, disclosed this in a statement on Friday 29th. The suspects were said to have been arrested during a raid on bandits’ hide-out in Abuja Ogor, a local settlement in Doma.

Seafarers not involved in piracy attacks — UnionThe Nigeria Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Sen-ior Staff Association, NMNOWTSSA, has denied reports linking piracy attacks on the nation’s waterways to seafarers. The Un-ion explained that the report that was recently carried in some sections of the media is a mere move by unscrupulous individ-uals to tarnish the image of seafarers noting that no qualified

seafarer will be involved in such illegal act.

Angolan navy tracks pirate boatsThe commander of the “Ngola Kiluanje P200” ship belonging to Angolan War Navy (MGA), Luís da Silva, has said that the vessel is equipped with technology to track pirate boats ille-gally operating in the country’s maritime coast. The ship is part of the fleet patrolling the Angolan coast under the Operation transparency launched last week.

Navy, others search for answer to piracyAs maritime crimes assume transnational dimensions in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG), regional navies and other stakehold-ers have converged on Lagos to work out how to set aside territorial boundaries for the common good. This year’s OBANGAME Express was not the first multinational sea exercise in the Gulf of Guinea. It was, in fact, the ninth edition, a brainchild of the United States Naval Forces Africa (US NAV-AF) commenced in 2010. But the 2019 edition of the exercise that had 20 African navies and 11 allied nations in attendance was one of many firsts.

Takoradi Port still a safe haven in the GulfMr Peter Bediako, the Public Relations Manager of the Tako-radi Port, has said that the Takoradi Port has the safest an-chorage around the West African Coastline. “We are aware of security challenges around Togo, Benin and Nigeria as stated in the Maritime News Report but for us at Takoradi Port our collaboration with the Security and other agencies on patrol continue to guarantee us a safe haven for Maritime business”, he added.

To see MAST Services in the region, please click here. And and to read Nigeria’s country report, please click here.

10MAST UK: +44 (0)1279 216 726 operations@mast-security.com www.mast-security.com

Hijack

Kidnap

Approach/Attack

Suspicious Activity

Theft

South East AsiaEight Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits have surrendered to military authorities over the week-end as tactical offensives continue against the group in the province of Sulu, military officials said. Brig. Gen. Divino Rey Pabayo Jr., Joint Task Force Sulu commander, said one of the eight surrendered around 2 p.m. on Saturday 30th to the Army’s 1101st Infantry Brigade.

Incidents: Nothing significant to report.

PCG Southwestern District holds counter-terror demoThe Philippine Coast Guard Southwestern District on Tues-day 2nd showed off its counter-terror team’s capabilities in a demonstration for the district’s 51st anniversary. The district’s newest boats—Japan-made patrol vessel BRP Bagacay and France-made BRP Malamawi and BRP Panglao—participated in the exercise, where two Rigid Inflatable Boats slipped a counter-terror team onto a “hijacked boat”.

Abu Sayyaf fighter killed in Sulu encounterMilitary troops seized a body of an Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) militant, and seized a high-powered firearm following a gun fight in Sulu on Tuesday, April 2nd. The encounter took place at about 8:30 in the morning. While conducting pursuit operation, troops of the Third Marine Company, Marine Battalion Landing Team 3 engaged an undetermined number of ASG members in Sitio Halu-Halu, Simisa Island, Barangay Bakaan, Banguigui, Sulu.

PCG deploys Boracay class patrol vessel in ZamboangaThe Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has assigned one of its Bo-racay-class patrol vessel to the the Coast Guard District South-western Mindanao (CGDSWM) to boost the anti-smuggling campaign in this part of the country.

US gives Vietnam more patrol boats as defense links growThe US handed over six patrol boats and equipment worth $12 million to the Vietnamese coast guard, the embassy in Hanoi said on Monday 1st, as the former foes continue to boost politi-cal and defense links. Vietnam and the United States have be-come staunch allies in recent years as China exerts influence in the hotly contested South China Sea.

China’s maritime actions fuel popular anger in VietnamA important story in the Vietnamese media last week con-cerned the ramming and sinking of a fishing vessel flying the Vietnamese flag by a Chinese government ship near the dis-puted Paracel Islands. The fishermen were left clinging to the ship’s bow and were luckily saved two hours later by another Vietnamese fishing trawler.

Abu Sayyaf arms cache found by troops amid operations in SuluSoldiers pursuing Abu Sayyaf militants found an arms cache in Patikul, Sulu on Tuesday, March 26th. Troops from the 13th Special Forces Company also retrieved from the Abu Sayyaf’s arms cache a 60mm mortar, two M16 rifles, bandoliers with magazines, IED paraphernalia, flags with ISIS markings, a mili-tary map, a handheld radio, and a night vision monocular in Barangay Bakong, Patikul at about 11 a.m.

Vietnam looks to buy US-made ScanEagle unmanned aerial vehiclesVietnam wants to purchase an US-made ScanEagle un-manned aerial vehicles for use in Vietnam Coast Guard, ac-cording to VnExpress.net. According to media reports in recent weeks, Boeing is close to sealing a deal to ScanEagle sell un-manned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to Vietnam.

To see MAST’s services in the region, please click here.

11MAST UK: +44 (0)1279 216 726 operations@mast-security.com www.mast-security.com

1

Hijack

Kidnap

Approach/Attack

Suspicious Activity

Theft

Central and South America Minister of National Security, Stuart Young, says recent incidents of reported on-sea piracy and kidnappings of locals were being investigated for possible criminal links. He was responding to a question in the House of Representatives on Friday 29th. He was asked whether the Coast Guard has sufficient resources to treat with increased incidents of piracy in Trinidad and Tobago’s ter-ritorial waters.

Incidents: 1. Five robbers armed with knives and a pipe wrench boarded an anchored Liberia-flagged tanker at 0410 UTC in position 10:11.4N - 064:52.1W, Jose Terminal Anchorage, Venezuela. They tied up the aft watch keeper and broke into the paint store. Alarm raised and crew mustered. Hearing the alerted crew, the robbers escaped with stolen ship’s stores. Reported (IMB) 28th Mar.

Standing advice: The repercussions of a vessel being caught acting as a mule with drugs stowed will depend on the type, amount and na-tional laws, but may be disruptive and costly. When and if operating in these areas, especially Columbia and Peru, it is advised that: • Potential stowage areas such as rudder shafts are denied as far as possible, and/or routinely searched.

• Access points are closely monitored by a vigilant watch for the duration of the vessel’s call at port.

12

Note: The forecasts are correct as of the day before publication. For latest updates please follow the provided links.

MAST UK: +44 (0)1279 216 726 operations@mast-security.com www.mast-security.com

Nothing significant to report.

Severe Weather Warnings Warnings detailed on this page are from the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and are issued by respective Regional Specialised Metrological Centres, Tropical Cyclone Centres or Na-tional Meteorological Services. For further information on severe weather warnings please click here.