Citadel saves Vessel from Piracy Somali pirates have reportedly hijacked a Panama-registered bulk cargo ship with 24 Chinese sailors on board in the Arabian Sea.
A Panama-flagged bulk carrier MV Full City came under attack by 7 pirates off the coast of Somalia, in position 1454 north and 06644 east while underway from Jeddah to India. Seven armed pirates are onboard the vessel, operated by Hong Kong-based Cosco Group. Two Chinese navy vessels patrolling the area were sent to rescue the ship. The pirates were forced to leave the ship after they unsuccessfully tried to take control of the ship and panicked the moment they saw naval ship patrolling the area. The 24-member Chinese crew were able to regain control. There were no arrests made nor any injuries to any of the crew.
In this case citadel on the ship actually played a critical role in saving the vessel and crew. Minimum requirements for Citadel being an area with reinforced door, radio communications, emergency rations and emergency shut-down capability for the main and auxiliary engines as full defined in the Best Management Practice 3 guidelines. Firstly, citadels supply a safe place for crew with necessary food and water when waiting for rescue; secondly, citadels are normally equipped with communication facilities which enable the communication with the outside world when asking for help; last but not least, when the crew are in citadel, the pirates cannot control the ship via crew and ask for high ransom even when they are onboard. In other words, the citadel decreases the possibility of highjack. Then the question becomes: is it necessary for a ship to equip a citadel when passing the high risk area? It depends, according to our experience. It is true some underwriters ask for citadels, while they will also take other factors in to consideration, i.e. speed, age of the vessel, freeboard, preventive measures taken (e.g. installation of razor wire). If you wish to know more about piracy preventive measures please feel free to contact with us!
See attached file : ALCO Circular 20110012 – Citadel saves the vessel from piracy – MV. Full City.pdf
预防海盗劫持 安全舱功不可没 – Full City 轮海盗袭击案
新华网消息，北京时间5月5日中午，一艘由中远香港经营的载有24名中国船员的”Full City”轮在阿拉伯海中部，北纬14度54分，东经66度44分，离孟买约450海里处遭海盗袭击。船员及时撤入安全舱，使海盗登轮后无法控制船舶。中国海上搜救中心立即启动应急预案，海军护航编队派出两艘军舰全速前往营救，位于 “Full City” 轮附近海域的美国、土耳其海军以及印度海岸警卫队也加入了营救的队伍。最终于当日23时25分，在美国舰队的掩护下，土耳其海军特战队员登船，海盗逃离，船上24名船员全部获救，目前身体状况良好。该船当时装有26043吨化肥，正在从约旦驶往印度。
在这起案件中，安装有通讯设备的安全舱为船舶成功避免海盗劫持起到了至关重要的作用。 按照BMP3指导方针规定：安全舱应是一个至少备有或装有玻璃钢门、无线电通讯设备、应急干粮、主机辅机开停遥控的一个地方。首先安全舱能够保证船员人身安全，里面的通讯设备能让船员与外界联系，寻求救援。更加重要的是，即使海盗登船，也无法控制船员，也就不能控制船舶为其所用来索要高额赎金。因此，船上装有安全舱可以大大降低被海盗劫持的几率。那么是否所有经过或前往海盗高风险地区的船舶都应该装有安全舱呢？从我们的经验来看，市场上一些保险公司有这样的要求，但是个案不同，保险公司的要求也不同。一般船舶的航速、干舷高度、船龄、船舶的安全措施（是否安装有刀片的铁丝网圈 / razor wire, 附图如下）、航线等都是他们考虑的因素。另外，一般货物价值较高的大型油轮、化学品船、航速较低、干舷高度较低、船龄较大的船舶都是海盗的首选目标。想了解更多关于预防海盗劫持的信息请与我们联系！
详细信息请参阅附件。
