Security reporte indicates that a reefer ship; WATER PHOENIX IMO:9045168 was approached and boarded by an unknown number of persons.
The merchant ship was attacked in the morning of Tuesday, September 8 at about 30 nautical miles south of Lagos, Nigeria.
The AIS tracking indicates that the vessel was en route to Lagos at 14kts and undertook evasive manoeuvres before coming to a stop and is currently drifting. It is reported that some of the crew have retreated to the citadel. At this stage unconfirmed reporting indicates that some crew may be uncounted for.
It is unclear whether the perpetrators are still onboard or in the area and it is advised that all vessels in the area maintain heightened awareness.
The latest attack, has however put a deep question mark on the controversial Secure Anchorage Area in Lagos.
This is the 13th reported incident in waters of the Lagos Port Complex and Anchorage in the past 12 months most of which have manifest as boarding for theft.
The Secure Anchorage Area Contract is an area outside the Lagos port, which the Nigerian Navy, with a private company, Ocean Marine Services (OMS) has defined as a secure place where vessels can anchor safely from the threat of pirate attack.
However, it could not be ascertained when the ship; WATER PHOENIX was attacked within the secured zone.
This is the 3rd offshore incidents in the waters south of Lagos within 2020. Unconfirmed report indicates personnel may have been kidnapped.
Currently 93 personnel have been kidnapped from vessels in incidents off West Africa in 2020.
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