HICC 38011
RECEIVED
26 MAY 1993
STRY
fused to HH Go.
Speaking note
() су
Ө
6)
Mas Fachen AMD
Oh Minis
3 per MB26/5
Incidents reported to Hong Kong
DESK:
INDEX
га
GISTRY Action Taken
Introduction
The reason we have withdrawn document MSC 62/15/2 is to enable me to
correct and update the information it contains by making an oral presentation to you
today in accordance with action renommanded under Maritime Safony Committoo
Circular 597.
2.
I believe that the best way to clarify the situation in the South China Sea around
Hong Kong is to describe incidents involving merchant ships which have been
reported to the Hong Kong Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre (HK MRCC)
Reported Incidents
3. Thirty six incidents have been reported to HK MRCC since 15 September 1992. They range from acts which would appear to amount to piracy, or at least armed
robbery, to incidents involving the exercise of jurisdiction by official vessels within their own waters. In some incidents reported it is not clear whether the intercepting vessels have been unmarked official vessels or private individuals masquerading as officials. There have been ten incidents of this kind.
4. The number of cases of piracy reported to us would appear to be relatively small. The vast majority of vessels entering and leaving Hong Kong do so unhindered.
5.
However, a worrying characteristic of many of the incidents reported to us is the degree of force involved. Firearms have been used in 12 cases, and the use of rocket propelled grenades has been reported. Reports also indicate that manoeuvring of
small vessels close to larger merchant vessels under way has created risks of
collision. The dangers inherent in these circumstances are obvious.
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