Armed Pirates Hijack Tugboat, Rob Crew & Steal Cargo In Indonesia

According to local authorities, the 14 crew members aboard the Royal TB 17 tugboat were overpowered and held hostage before being safely released.

The incident occurred on September 20, when the vessel travelled from Bagendang Port on the island of Kalimantan to Stagen. Pirates approached and attacked the tug and barge as it sailed near Tanjung Malatayur.

As per police reports, five men wearing masks and armed with knives and firearms boarded the vessel and took control of the crew. The pirates stole over $1,000 in cash, 21 mobile phones, nine communication radios, and necessary equipment such as a GPS device, radar unit, and binoculars.

They also stole the tug’s rope-throwing device and the FAME (Fatty Acid Methyl Ester) cargo on the barge.

While the crew’s release date is unknown, local authorities have confirmed that they are in custody and receiving medical attention after their terrifying encounter. The authorities are still investigating the incident and have initiated a search for the pirates responsible for the hijacking.

A police representative stated that they are committed to arresting those involved and that efforts are underway to track them.

Previous efforts to combat piracy in the region have been successful, with Indonesian officials able to stop pirate groups operating near the islands in previous years.

Piracy in Southeast Asia has remained an issue, with most incidents occurring near the Singapore Strait. However, authorities state that such attacks rarely lead to violent confrontations.

Usually, pirates in the region hijack vessels to steal cargo before leaving without engaging with the crew. In this case, the crew reported a more aggressive approach from the pirates carrying firearms, which made the incident unusual and dangerous.