Incident Alert Abduction of Crew from Fishing Boat off Pulau Tambisan, Lahad Datu, Sabah, Malaysia

The Philippine Coast Guard (ReCAAP Focal Point) reported to the ReCAAP ISC that six gunmen dressed in black suits with masks used a grey speedboat with twin engine (40 HP) and abducted eight crew from a Malaysia-registered fishing trawler (with marking SSK 00543).

The fishing trawler was found abandoned and with no crew on board on 17 January 2020 at about 1500 hrs at approximately 4.24 nm off Pulau Tambisan, Lahad Datu, Sabah, Malaysia. On 18 January 2020, the Malaysian authorities reported that they had recovered three of the eight missing crew in the vicinity of Lahad Datu, Sabah.

The Philippine authorities were conducting maritime patrols in the area, particularly near the Sulade island (which was believed to be the staging area of the perpetrators). The Philippine and Malaysia authorities are stepping up their patrol efforts, conducting pursuit operations and intensifying its military operation to locate the five abducted Indonesian crew.

Comments

This is the first abduction of crew incident reported in 2020. There were two incidents of abduction of crew reported in 2019 (on 18 Jun and 23 Sep). All the abducted crew from the two incidents in 2019 were rescued and released.

As the risk of the abduction of crew in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and waters off Eastern Sabah is high as demonstrated by the recurrence of the incident on 17 January 2020, the ReCAAP ISC reiterates its advisory issued via the ReCAAP ISC Incident Alert dated 21 Nov 16 to all ships to reroute from the area, where possible. Otherwise, ship masters and crew are strongly urged to exercise extra vigilance while transiting the area, and report immediately to the Operation Centres of Philippines and Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) of Malaysia. The contact details of the Operation Centres of Philippines and ESSCOM of Malaysia (updated by ReCAAP ISC on 3 Jan 19) are as follows:

In the event that the ship master is not able to establish contact with the Operation Centres of the Philippines as listed in the ReCAAP ISC Advisory, he can contact the Philippine Coast Guard Command Centre at the following contact details:

Tel: +63-2-5273877 (direct)

+63-2-527-8481 to 89 (ext: 6136/37)

+63-917-724-3682 (mobile)

+63-929-825-3207 (mobile)