Robbers Raid Ship

Armed robbers have attacked a supply vessel at the Takoradi Port and made away with large volumes of oil paint meant for maintenance work on offshore installations.

This is the second time a robbery has been carried out on supply vessels at the port in recent times.

Using canoes in the latest incident, the robbers gained access to the vessel and ordered the storekeeper at gun-point to surrender.

According to Naval Commander Tim Appiah, the Chairman of the Petroleum Security Committee, which is responsible for co-ordinating onshore and offshore security in the petroleum industry, after loading the paint and other items, the robbers sped off in their canoe.

No arrest has been made so far but the Western Naval Command has initiated a programme to patrol the anchorage of the port, using small defender class attack vessels, to protect supply and merchant vessels awaiting to enter the port or preparing to depart the port.

After the robbers had bolted, the storekeeper raised an alarm.

Commander Appiah, who is also the Commanding Officer of the Western Naval Command, said the committee, as an interim measure, had collaborated with the police to educate coastal communities on the implications of their actions on security and offshore operations.

Cdr Appiah said one of the reasons why it appeared the robbers were successful in their attacks was that there was too much space between the security and the anchorage at the port.

He said the Navy would make sure that the vessels were protected.

“We have also asked the agents of supply vessels and captains to ensure that they increase illumination at night to prevent them from being attacked,” he said.

He assured the nation that members of the security committee met regularly to deliberate on issues affecting offshore operations and the immediate environment at the anchorage.

At the time of filing this report, there were a number of vessels at the anchorage.