An Oak Maritime-owned VLCC has been targeted by robbers off the coast of Venezuela, TradeWinds has learnt.
While at anchor, five perpetrators with face covered and armed with large knives are reported to have boarded the 300,837-dwt Elbhoff (built 2017) via the anchor chain and hawse pipe.
The attackers are said to have held the duty deck patrol crew from behind, tied him up and threatened to kill him. However, they eventually fled from the ship
Following the incident, the ship's master and crew took extra measures by fabricating the metal plate to fit in the existing metal grill to the hawse pipe to prevent further unlawful access.
The master reported the incident to local port authorities, who assured ships that they would "monitor the movement" of small crafts and fishing vessels in the area.
However, just a few days later the Cosco-owned 56,600-dwt bulker Shi Zi Shan (built 2011) was attacked in the same area.
Four armed perpetrators in uniform with “national guard” markings boarded the ship from a boat through the ship's port gangway.
Reports say the perpetrators shouted to the duty crew to allow them to board for an alleged anti-narcotic inspection.
When boarded, they threatened the duty crew with handguns and ordered him to guide them to the master cabin.
The crew was ordered to gather in the common rest room and submit all their cash and valuable belongings, which was then stolen by the perpetrators.
Both incidents took place earlier this month, but news of the incidents has gone largely unreported by the media.
Details have only just emerged in the latest report by the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against ships in Asia (ReCAAP).
