ReCAAP ISC Q3: 68 incidents in the first nine months of 2024

The Sailor’s Guide to the High Seas: ReCAAP’s Latest Address on Piracy and Armed Robbery

Ahoy there, landlubbers and seafaring folks alike! It’s time to navigate through the waters of a report so thrilling that even Captain Jack Sparrow would take a break from his rum to read it. Yes, it’s the ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre’s 3rd Quarterly Report for 2024. Spoiler alert: it’s about pirates—but not the fun-loving kinds we see in movies!

A whopping total of 68 incidents have been reported in Asia during the first nine months of 2024. That breaks down to one lone case of piracy (yes, one—are they on strike?) and 67 incidents of Armed Robbery Against Ships (ARAS), which sounds like a terrible sequel to a pirate flick. But good news, folks! That’s a 19% decrease from the 84 incidents reported last year. So, instead of a full-blown mutiny, it seems we’re just surfing the mild seas of trouble.

What’s even more fascinating is that this trifling 68 incidents pale in comparison to the chronic outbreaks of trouble that ship captains dread. Let’s break it down further, shall we?

Quarterly Breakdown: Do We Feel Safer Yet?

In the third quarter of 2024 (July to September), the number of incidents dropped by 26% compared to the second quarter. You could say the sea got a bit less salty with only 17 incidents reported in Q3—a record low for the reporting period of 2020-2024. Perhaps the pirates needed a vacation, too?

Key Findings

  • Our star statistic is a 19% decrease in piracy and ARAS incidents in Asia compared to last year. The Straits of Malacca and Singapore are particularly on the up-and-up with a 38% reduction. Did someone send in some extra vigilant sailors?

  • Yet, hold onto your sailor hats! We’ve seen an increase in reports from Bangladesh and Indonesia. It seems not all seas are calm.

  • No incidents of crew abductions have been reported in the Sulu-Celebes Seas since January 2020. But remember, there’s always a catch—Abu Sayyaf might still be lurking around, like a well-dressed ghost at a fancy cocktail party.

  • To tackle these pesky incidents, ReCAAP ISC has rolled out an enhanced mobile app for easy reporting and an interactive dashboard. Perhaps they’ll even throw in some “Pirate Spotting 101” for good measure!

Incident Comparison: A Year in Review

When we stack up January-September of 2024 against the same period in 2023, we’re seeing improvement overall, especially in countries like India, the Philippines, and Vietnam. However, the rocky coasts of Bangladesh and Indonesia racked up more incidents. Come on guys, even pirates need a break!

Areas of Concern: The Dark Clouds on the Horizon

Even though there’s a hint of sunshine regarding incidents, a couple of red flags still flap in the wind:

  1. SOMS – Continued Occurrence of Incidents: The Straits of Malacca and Singapore are like a popular pub—you’d think you’d find peace but instead still have 35 incidents popping up!

  2. Sulu-Celebes Seas – The Threat of Abduction Lingers: Our watery friends here haven’t had a kidnapping in ages, but let’s not forget who’s lurking by the cocktail bar!

Categories of Naughtiness: What Are We Looking At?

Now let’s get serious. The ReCAAP ISC has a very civilized way of classifying crime severity:

  • CAT 1: Very significant—think of armed villains, dramatic rescues, and potential for a sequel!
  • CAT 2: Moderately significant; armed but not terrifying. Mostly stern looks and glaring accusations!
  • CAT 3: Less significant; maybe some finger-wagging but no permanent damage. Like losing an ice cream cone.
  • CAT 4: Least significant—imagine that pesky fly bothering you as you enjoy your day at sea.

In the grand scheme, 61 reported incidents in the first nine months categorized as: 10 CAT 2, 22 CAT 3, and a whopping 29 CAT 4. No CAT 1 incidents, meaning the pirates must have traded in their swords for lawn chairs!

Status of Ships: Anchors Away!

Of our 68 delightful reports, it seems that 46% occurred while ships were at anchor or berth. Clearly, planning a proper getaway is still a work in progress.