In the past two yeas there have been no incidents of sea robbery in Macau waters. However, reports of attacks from the coming vessels have been received by the Maritime Administration and Marine Police. All cases remain unverified since they took place outside Macau waters.
The Macau Maritime Administration has its coast station "Radio Macau", and a duty room both of which maintain 24-hour watch. When an alarm is received, the information is passed to the Marine Police which takes action to carry out emergency search and rescue work or combating illicit activities.
The Marine Police launches make 24 hour patrols within their areas of responsibility. Macau marine enforcement agencies co-operate with the public security forces of Hong Kong, China, and Guangdong for preventing and suppressing acts of piracy and armed robbery against ships in the region.
Macau will greatly support any co-operation agreements between neighbouring States with respect to combating piracy and the threat of armed robbery in order to recover the confidence of the maritime community and promote the well being of the whole region.
OBSERVER
JAPAN
For the purpose of developing effective measures to prevent and suppress piracy and armed robbery against ships, especially hijacking incidents, Japan emphasized the following:
.1 firstly, the immediate reporting to the appropriate authorities from shipowners or other persons involved after the incident occurred;
.2 secondly, quick action being taken by such authority to facilitate the apprehension and conviction of all persons involved in pirate attacks including co-operation to establish and maintain close liaison with neighbouring States as well as Governments and others concerned such as flag State, port State, shipowners and seafarers, etc.; and
.3 thirdly, appropriate action being taken by law enforcement agencies of the country where the suspects are found in accordance with international conventions concerned as well as national laws and regulations. To make those actions more effective and to eliminate such unlawful acts against ships, international co-operation to pursue the suspects is necessary to prevent them escaping punishment.
In recent years, hijacking occurs very often in Southeastern Asian waters, one of which is the incident involving the cargo vessel "TENYU" owned by a Japanese shipowner.
Japan monitors developments surrounding this incident with grave concern and strongly hopes that all her crew members are safe and that the ship and her cargo will be returned to their legitimate owners. Japan also strongly wishes that this incident be resolved as early as possible through appropriate actions taken by the respective Governments concerned and expects appropriate law enforcement actions to be taken if this incident is proved to be an unlawful act of piracy and/or armed robbery.
