Working Conditions Aboard the Culture

Between April 19 and May 5, 2025, the ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre (ISC) documented four incidents of armed robbery against vessels in Asia, including three confirmed CAT 41 cases and one attempted robbery. All reported events transpired while boats were underway off Pulau Cula, Indonesia, specifically in the eastbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) in the Singapore Strait (SS). Fortunately, no crew members were harmed in any of the incidents. Notably, on May 2 at 6:30 a.m., the tanker 'SMA' was boarded by a group of six armed assailants approximately 4.9 nautical miles from Pulau Cula, at coordinates 1° 3.78' N 103° 36.85' E. The thieves made off with engine spares before departing the scene.