Marine Security Bulletin 4 MAY 2023 - Security Incident, involving the kidnapping of ship’s crew while vessel was at Owendo inner anchorage, Gabon
04 May 2023
West Africa, Gulf of Guinea 05/2023
Dear Ship owners, Operators, and Masters of Liberian Flagged Vessels
Subject: Security Incident, involving the kidnapping of ship’s crew while vessel was at Owendo inner anchorage, Gabon on 02 May 2023.
04 MAY 2023
This bulletin is to inform about a security incident involving reported kidnapping of ship’s crew while vessel was at a position 000 18.27’N, 0090:24.21E at Owendo inner anchorage, Gabon on 02 May 2023.
The vessel was boarded by an unknown number of perpetrators who reportedly kidnapped three crew members.
It was also further reported that the suspected perpetrators were not spotted by the rest of the remaining crew members onboard.
It is recommended that all Liberian vessels operating in the Gulf of Guinea extending as far west to the Republic of Côte D'Ivoire and as far south to the Republic of Congo implement all necessary security and anti-piracy measures equivalent to security level 2 in the approved Ship Security Plan, exercise extreme vigilance, and proceed with caution during transit/operation in this area. Owners, operators and Masters are urged to register with Maritime Domain Awareness for Trade-Gulf of Guinea (MDAT-GoG) upon their vessel entering its voluntary reporting area and to report suspicious activity and incidents of piracy and armed robbery in a timely manner by contacting the MDAT-GoG by phone at +33 (02) 98 22 88 88, or by email to watchkeepers@mdat-gog.org.
Please refer to Marine Security Advisory - 01/2022 for additional information on the Gulf of Guinea-Piracy/Armed Robbery/Kidnapping for Ransom, and Reporting of Incidents.
Please keep LISCR’s Security Department informed of any security incidents at:
Office of the Senior Deputy Commissioner of Maritime Affairs
Republic of Liberia
22980 Indian Creek Drive, Suite 200 Dulles, Virginia 20166 USA
D: +1 571 495 5944 / O: +1 703 790 3434 / F: +1 703 790 5655
Email: Security@liscr.com www.liscr.com
