Singapore Navy Takes on Pirates

The Singapore Navy (RSN) Maritime Security Task Force (MSTF)  has disrupted a sea robbery on a Malaysian-flagged tugboat Permata 1 in the eastern approaches of the Singapore Strait on Tuesday.

RSN ship, RSS Resilience was able to escort Permata 1 safely to Singapore waters with the help of Indonesian Navy (TNI AL). All crew on board the tugboat are safe, Singapore Ministry of Defense announced Tuesday.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore's Port Operations Control Centre received a report from Permata 1 on Tuesday morning that robbers had been sighted boarding their boat while transiting the eastern approaches of the Singapore Strait. 

After seeing the RSS Resilience resilience advancing, the robbers fled towards Indonesian waters but the TNI AL managed to apprehend three robbers and also recover the stolen cargo.

The RSS Resilience  accompanied Permata 1 safely to Singapore waters where the Police Coast Guard boarded the tugboat for investigation.

The RSN's Information Fusion Centre (IFC) shared information on the incident and perpetrators with GUSKAMLABAR, the TNI AL Western Fleet Sea Security Group, and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency. The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency had deployed assets to assist search for the robbers.

"I am heartened to see the good cooperation between Singaporean, Indonesian and Malaysian enforcement agencies in disrupting the sea robbery attempt on Permata 1” Rear-Admiral Frederick Chew, Commander of the MSTF, said.