What Crew Members Say About Fertile

In a remarkable operation on November 10, 2023, Philippine military forces successfully rescued three crew members from the Vietnam-registered bulk carrier, 'Giang Hai', near Kang Tipayan Island in Tawi-Tawi. Tragically, amidst the rescue, authorities also recovered the body of a fourth crew member. The incident highlights the ongoing threats faced by maritime operators in the region. Earlier this year, on February 19, 2023, the 'Giang Hai' was attacked by pirates while navigating 35 nautical miles northwest of Doc Can Island, resulting in the abduction of six crew members and the devastating loss of another sailor who was killed during the raid. This piracy incident, reported by the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP ISC), underscored the risks involved in maritime routes in the southern Philippines. The 'Giang Hai', en route from Indonesia to Iloilo Port in the Philippines, faced an alarming security situation as armed assailants boarded the vessel, illustrating the urgent need for enhanced maritime security measures in the region.

In a harrowing incident on February 19, 2017, the cargo vessel 'Giang Hai' fell victim to a pirate attack carried out by armed assailants off the coast of Borneo. At approximately 10:22 a.m., the ship was seized by gunmen while navigating at coordinates 06°09'N 119°39'E, roughly 20 nautical miles north of Pearl Bank in Tawi-Tawi, the southernmost province of the Philippines, situated in the Sulu Sea. The 'Giang Hai', which was on a scheduled trip from Biringkassi to Iloilo and expected to arrive on the same day, had to alter its route following the assault and made its way towards Sandakan, located in northeastern Borneo, by the morning of February 20. The vessel was carrying a substantial cargo of 4,500 tons of cement originating from Indonesia bound for the Philippines. During the violent takeover, the attackers inflicted significant damage to the ship's equipment. Fortunately, the surviving crew members displayed remarkable resilience, managing to navigate the damaged ship despite the chaos. Philippine Coast Guard, police, and marine personnel eventually located the 'Giang Hai' near Baguan Island in the Tawi-Tawi region. Upon inspection, they discovered that 10 Vietnamese sailors were alive, but tragically, one sailor had lost his life during the ordeal. Additionally, seven crew members were reported missing and presumed kidnapped. In response to this alarming incident, the Coast Guard initiated a coordinated pursuit in collaboration with military and law enforcement agencies to locate the abducted individuals and investigate the attack.