N.T. BRANCH CIRCULAR NO : NT/ISPS/Security Notice/02/2007 

Dated :13th Aug, 2007

Subject : Security Incident/ Breach of Security

         
OBJECTIVE:

The objective of this notice is to share and disseminate information to all concerned on a security related incident that occurred in a ISPS non-compliant port in Mozambique, so that effective measures can be taken to prevent the recurrence of similar incidents in the future.  

NARRATIVE:

This incident occurred on board an Indian ship while the ship was in port of Beira in Mozambique. The off shore supply vessel was secured alongside the berth during the night. The Gangway was placed on the jetty and manned by ship’s crew, one additional local security guard was provided by the agent for patrolling, the reason being East African coast is a piracy prone area. The visibility was poor due to fog and darkness. The vessel’s stern was 3 metres below the jetty and stern vision was restricted due to deck cargo. The security patrol on the vessel noticed four intruders emerging from underneath the jetty pylons and cutting the vessel’s stern rope and aft spring. Immediately an alarm was raised and search lights were switched on but during this short period thieves had escaped after cutting and stealing the two pieces of mooring rope.  Due to the loss of stern rope and spring, the stern came free and swung away from the jetty. She was brought back alongside using her own engines and secured back safely alongside.   

LESSONS LEARNT:

1.         Effective patrolling of all vulnerable areas could have averted such incident.

2.         Prompt action taken by the staff averted from further damage to the ship and property.

3.         Further, all Company Security Officers should advise the Masters and Ship Security Officers of their fleets of the need to identify piracy and robbery prone areas and of the need to be more vigilant and alert when operating therein. Additional persons should be deployed on deck for patrolling. If necessary the Ship Security plan should be reviewed and amended for effective patrolling.

Sd/-
(CAPT. R. AWASTHI)
Nautical Surveyor-cum- Deputy Director General of Shipping (Technical).

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