Gulf of Guinea Incidents
Covering maritime security and safety incidents in the West Africa region
Gunmen Attempt to Board Anchored Product Tanker off Lagos, Nigeria - 17 Oct
Anchored product tanker attempted boarding by 5 intruders armed with guns & hooks. Alarm raised, fire pump activated, boarding attempt aborted & moved away. Local authorities informed, patrol boat dispatched to search area of Lagos Secure Anchorage Area, Nigeria - 17 Oct 2018
Anchored Bulk Carrier Boarded off Takoradi, Ghana - 9 Oct
A single robber boarded anchored bulk carrier via anchor chain at Takoradi Anchorage, Ghana. Security patrol spotted robber who escaped empty handed - 9 Oct 2018
Anchored MV Boarded at Takoradi Anchorage, Ghana - 30 Sep
Anchored MV boarded by 2 intruders vi anchor chain at Takoradi Anchorage, Ghana. Crew raised alarm and intruders left the vessel. Crew safe - 30 Sep 2018.
Swiss Bulk Carrier Boarded SW of Bonny Island, Nigeria. 12 Crew Kidnapped - 22 Sep
Switzerland-flagged bulk carrier, Glavus, attacked and boarded by pirates around 45nm SW of Bonny Island, Nigeira. Pirates kidnapped 12 of 19 crew before escaping. Remaining crew sailed vessel to port - 22 Sep 2018.
Anchored MV Boarded at Lagos Anchorage, Nigeria - 20 Sep
Anchored MV approached by 2 boats at Lagos Anchorage, Nigeria. 2 persons spotted on main deck & challenged by crew. Made escape via rope tied to vessel. Nothing reporting stolen - 20 Sep 2018.
Anchored MV Boarded by 4 Armed Persons at Conakry Anchorage, Guinea - 17 Sep
Anchored MV boarded by 4 armed persons via anchor chain at Conakry Anchorage, Guinea. Persons left after 30 minutes, crew safe 17 Sep 2018.
MV Boarded & Robbed At Onne Port Anchorage, Nigeria - 21 Aug
MV anchored at Onne Port anchorage, Nigeria boarded by 4 armed robbers. Robbers unable to enter vessel but stole oil cans before escaping - 21 Aug 2018
Panama-flagged tanker reported missing. Lost contact west of Libreville anchorage, Gabon. Russian-Georgian crew onboard. Due to offload 70,000 ton cargo. Nothing heard since 2200 UTC - 13 Aug 2018.
FV Launched 2 Skiffs, Approach MV S of Lome, Togo - 22 Jul
Blue & white fishing vessel approached MV 278nm South of Lome, Togo. 2 skiffs launched; evasive manoeuvres, resulting approach aborted - 22 Jul 2018.
Anchored MV Boarded at Lagos Anchorage, Nigeria - 3 Jul
Boat tied up to anchor chain of MV at Lagos Anchorage, Nigeria. 1 intruder sighted on deck spotted by crew who raised the alarm. Intruder departed vessel. Crew Safe - 3 Jul 2018.
Underway MV Attacked Twice SW of Bonny Island, Nigeria - 1 Jul
Underway MV attacked at 0900 and again at 1030 UTC SW of Bonny Island, Nigeria. Speedboat w/ 7-9 POB fired toward bridge. Evasive manoeuvres & embarked security team deterred boarding attempts - 1 Jul 2018
MV Attacked SW of Bonny Island, Nigeria - 1 Jul
Underway MV attacked by speedboat w/ 7 armed POB. Shots fired toward bridge. Evasive manoeuvres & embarked security team resulting in aborted boarding attempt around 20nm SW of Bonny Island, Nigeria. Vessel Safe - 1 Jul 2018.
Anchored Supply Vessel Boarded at Takoradi Anchorage, Ghana - 13 Jun
Singapore-flagged supply ship boarded by robbers at Takoradi Anchorage, Ghana. Watchmen noticed small board approaching & saw robbers boarding. Watchmen shouted and raised alarm resulting in robbers escaping - 13 Jun 2018.
Anchored Bulk Carrier Boarded & Robbed Lagos Anchorage, Nigeria - 3 Jun
Anchored bulk carrier boarded & robbed by 2 robbers at Lagos Anchorage, Nigeria. Embarked armed guard fired warning shot resulting in robbers escaping w/ stolen items - 3 Jun 2018
Pirates Attempt Boarding Drifting Tanker South of Lome, Togo - 22 May
Drifting product tanker approached by 7 pirates in a skiff. Attempt to board via poop deck but aborted attempt when crew raised the alarm. Skiff moved away and crew safe. Suspicious vessel in vicinity reported as possible mothership for pirates South of Lome, Togo - 22 May 2018.
Offshore Supply Vessel Attacked SW of Bonny Island, Nigeria - 16 May
Offshore supply vessel attacked and boarded SW of Bonny Island, Nigeria. Comms/Nav equipment destroyed; personal items stolen. Four crew reportedly missing. Vessel headed for destination port - 16 May 2018.
West AfricaGulf of GuineaNigeriaBonny IslandUnderwayOSVBoarding AttemptPiratesKidnap
Underway Bulk Carrier Attacked & Attempted Boarding by 6 Pirates S of Brass, Nigeria - 8 May
6 pirates in a speedboat attempt to board underway bulk carrier south of Brass, Nigeria. Alarm raised, SSAS activated, speed increased & crew into citadel. Hardening measures result in pirates aborting attempt & leaving hooked ladder hanging on ship's side - 8 May 2018.
West AfricaGulf of GuineaNigeriaBrassUnderwayBulk CarrierBoarding AttemptPirates
Anchored MV boarded at Takoradi Anchorage, Ghana - 29 Apr
Anchored MV boarded by 1 person at Takoradi Anchorage, Ghana. Perpetrator spotted, alarm raised resulting in perpetrator jumping overboard into the water & escaping - 29 Apr 2018.
Underway General Cargo Ship Boarded; 11 Crew Kidnapped SSW of Bonny Island, Nigeria - 21 Apr
Underway Netherlands-flagged general cargo ship attacked & boarded by pirates SSW of Bonny Island, Nigeria. Pirates kidnap 11 of 14 crew. Three crew remaining, discovered by Nigerian Navy patrol boat which escorted vessel to safe position - 21 Apr 2018
Berthed Container Ship Boarded & Robbed at Apapa Port, Lagos, Nigeria - 13 Apr
4 robbers in a skiff boarded berthed container ship after mooring ops at Apapa Port, Lagos, Nigeria. Robbers spotted by duty crew and alarm raised resulting in the robbers escaping after having stoled stores & property - 13 Apr 2018.
MV Attacked & Boarded by Armed Pirates South of Bonny, Nigeria - 7 Apr
Underway MV attacked & boarded by armed pirates South of Bonny Island, Nigeria. Crew into citadel. Pirates depart, vessel headed to port. Crew Safe - 7 Apr 2018
Underway Fishing Vessel Hijacked of Ghana - 26 Mar; Released 28 Mar
Underway fishing vessel attacked, boarded & hijacked by armed pirates off Anloga, Ghana. FV moved into Tog & Benin waters. Navies deployed. Pirates abandoned FV 28 Mar, kidnapping 3 crew - 26 Mar 2018
West AfricaGulf of GuineaGhanaBeninTogoUnderwayFishing VesselHijackKidnapReleasedPirates
MV Approached by Fishing Vessel Launching 2 Skiffs SW of Freetown, Sierra Leone - 29 Mar
Underway MV approached by large fishing vessel which launched 2 skiffs. Skiffs approached at speed, MV carried out evasive manoeuvres SW of Freetown, Sierra Leone. Vessel Safe - 29 Mar 2018
West AfricaSierra LeoneFreetownUnderwayApproachFishing VesselMothershipSkiffs
Two underway fishing vessels attacked south of Cotonou, Benin - 27 Mar 2018
4 Vessels Attacked/Boarded off Cotonou, Benin: Hijack off Lagos & Attack off Bonny Island, Nigeria - 22 Mar
Anchored vessel attacked, boarded & robbed off Cotonou, Benin. 2 FVs HIJACKED, 2 crew kidnapped South of Lagos, Nigeria; Tanker attacked SE of Bonny Island, Nigeria - 22 Mar 2018
West AfricaGulf of GuineaNigeriaBeninCotonouLagosBonny IslandUnderwayAnchoredBoardedAttackedHijackedRobbed
Two MVs Attacked Off Nigeria - 22 Mar
MV attacked South of Lagos, another underway MV attacked SW of Bonny Island, Nigeria - 22 Mar 2018
MV Attacked South of Lagos, Nigeria - 22 Mar
MV attacked around 23nm South of Lagos, Nigeria. Awaiting further details - 22 Mar 2018
2 MVs Attacked SW of Bonny Island, Nigeria. Tanker Boarded off Lagos. All Safe - 16 Mar
Underway tanker & cargo ship attacked SW of Bonny Island, Nigeria. Cargo ship & tanker conducted evasive manoeuvres & embarked AST fired warning shots. Anchored tanker boarded off Lagos; AST fire warning, detain 2, 1 escaped - 16 Mar 2018.
Underway tanker attacked by pirates in a speedboat southwest of Bonny Fairway buoy, Nigeria. Tanker carried out evasive manoeuvres resulting in the pirates aborting the attack. Vessel Safe - 14 Mar 2018.
West AfricaGulf of GuineaNigeriaBonyUnderwayTankerAttackPirates
MV Approached by 3 Speedboats w/ Armed POB SE of Takoradi, Ghana - 8 Mar
MV approached by 3 speedboats SE of Takoradi, Ghana. POB in camouflage clothing & carrying weapons - 8 Mar.
Underway Tanker Attacked & Boarded by Pirates in 2 Speedboats SW of Bonny Island, Nigeria - 6 Mar
Underway Malta-flagged tanker attacked & boarded by armed pirates in 2 speedboats SW of Bonny Island, Nigeria. Alarm raised, SSAS activated, crew secure in citadel. Pirates unable to take any hostages, damage nav/comms equipment then escaped. Nigerian Navy deploy patrol boats to assist. Master & crew emerged from citadel and sailed to safe port - 6 Mar 2018.
West AfricaGulf of GuineaNigeriaBonny IslandUnderwayTankerAttackedBoardingPirates
2 Speedboats Approached Cargo Ship SE of Takoradi, Ghana - 1 Mar
Underway cargo vessel approached by 2 speedboats w/ 6 & 3 POB respectively. Vessel increased speed & altered course resulting in speedboats aborting pursuit. Vessel Safe - 1 Mar 2018.
West AfricaGulf of GuineaGhanaTakoradiUnderwayCargo ShipSuspicious Approach
Anchored Product Tanker Attacked & Boarded, Crew Kidnapped/Released at Cotonou Anchorage, Benin 27 Feb
Anchored product tanker attacked & boarded by 5 armed person at Cotonou Anchorage, Benin. Embarked Benin Navy guards fired upon, injuring one; all crew, except OOW on bridge, into citadel. As person made way to bridge shot & injured another naval guard. OOW taken hostage to flush out Master, C/O & C/E. Demanded vessel heave anchor but were informed vessel in ballast. Persons stole crew belongings, kidnapped Master & 1 Eng & left in tanker's rescue boat. Benin Navy notified to medieval injured guards.One persons ashore, release Master & engr, who made contact w/ local police, joining tanker later. - 27 Feb 2018
West AfricaGulf of GuineaBeninCotonouAttackProduct TankerNavy
Two Vessels Attacked SSW of Bonny Island, Nigeria - 24 Feb
Reefer attacked by 10 armed pirates, container ship attacked by 8 armed pirates. Reefer embarked AST deterred attempt; Container ship anti-piracy measures & rendezvous w/ Nigeria Navy thwarts attack - 24 Feb 2018.
West AfricaGulf of GuineaNigeriaBonny IslandUnderwayReeferContainer ShipAttackPirates
MV Attacked Southeast of Brass, Nigeria - 22 Feb
MV attacked southeast of Brass, Nigeria. 22 Feb 2018.
MV Boarded, Robbers Escape Empty Handed off Lagos, Nigeria - 20 Feb
MV boarded by 6 robbers off Lagos, Nigeria. Alarm sounded resulting in robbers jumping overboard. Nothing reported stolen; vessel Safe - 20 Feb 2018
Underway Crude Oil Tanker Attacked SE of Brass, Nigeria - 19 Feb
Underway crude oil tanker attacked by 6 pirates armed w/ AK-47 rifles, in a black-hulled speed boat approached and attempted to board the vessel. Master raised alarm, activated SSAS, sent distress message, increased speed, undertook evasive manoeuvres ad crew secured all access doors. Pirates made seven attempts to hook an aluminium ladder onto the railings but were unsuccessful. Pirates fired on the tanker then moved away. Nigerian Navy boat in contact with the tanker and arrived on the scene around 20nm SE of Brass, Nigeria. Tanker & Crew Safe - 19 Feb 2018.
West AfricaGulf of GuineaNigeriaBrassOil TankerAttackBoarding AttemptPiratesAK47Ladder
Anchored Product Tanker Attacked At Cotonou Anchorage, Benin - 15 Feb
Anchored product tanker attacked at Cotonou anchorage, Benin. SSAS activated and all crew retreated to the citadel. Three patrol boats were dispatched to the location. They searched the waters around the tanker. A navy team boarded the tanker. On confirmation from the team that the tanker was clear of pirates, the Master and crew emerged from the citadel. On investigating, the ship’s office port hole was damaged due to a gunshot and other ship’s property found damaged. Vessel is Safe - 15 Feb 2018.
Underway MV Attacked by Pirates in 2 Speedboats South of Bonny Island, Nigeria. Vessel Safe - 15 Feb
Underway MV attacked by eight pirates in 2 speedboats South of Bonny Island, Nigeria. Four pirates in each speedboat fired upon MV. Vessel undertook evasive manoeuvres, escort vessel returned fire resulting in aborting attack. Vessel safe reported three hours later - 15 Feb 2018.
West AfricaGulf of GuineaNigeriaBonny IslandUnderwayAttackPirates
3 Crew Kidnapped From Fishing Vessel off Idenao, Cameroon - 9 Feb
Perpetrators armed with AK47 assault rifles boarded China-flagged fishing vessel off Idenao, Cameroon. 3 crew kidnapped as perpetrators escaped. Cameroon authorities investigating - 9 Feb 2018. (Second kidnap incident on the day)
West AfricaGulf of GuineaCameroonIdenaoBoardingFishing VesselKidnap
Underway Reefer Attacked SSW of Bonny Island, Nigeria - 9 Feb
Underway Bahamas-flagged reefer attacked by 10 pirates around 47nm SSW of Bonny Island, Nigeria. Vessel sent SSAS distress alarm and relayed MAYDAY on VHF16. Pirates abduct 4 crew before escaping - 9 Feb 2018
Underway MV Approached by 1 Skiff. Embarked AST, Skiff Aborted Approach SSW Bonny Island, Nigeria - 7 Feb
MV underway to Lagos approached by 1 skiff w/ 8 POB. Skiff increased speed to 22kts w/ CPA 1nm. Embarked AST stood to. Skiff aborted approach around 57nm SSW of Bonny Island, Nigeria - 7 Feb 2018.
West AfricaGulf of GuineaNigeriaBonny IslandUnderwayApproachSkiffEmbarked AST
