News 10 Dec, 2018 Venezuela - Security Problems at Jose Terminal and Anchorages The Club has noted, from our recent claims experience, and incidents reported within the industry and by the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre, an increase in security related incidents being experienced by vessels visiting Jose Terminal, and anchoring to the North and North East of the Terminal during 2018. In one case, a bulk carrier at anchor waiting to load petcoke was boarded by four personnel who appeared to be wearing “National Guard” uniforms, carrying handguns. All of the crew were ordered to assemble in the messroom with their money and valuables, which were subsequently taken from the vessel by the armed personnel. The value of the money, mobile phones and laptop computers taken amounted to tens of thousands of dollars. Another case involving a vessel visiting the terminal had two government personnel coming on board the vessel and “finding” a small plastic bag containing white powder during an inspection. The powder was subsequently tested in front of the Master and the colour change evident in the chemical test solution apparently revealed the powder to be cocaine. The inspectors then attempted to reach a cash settlement with the Master to make the problem go away. This was resisted, and the inspectors eventually left the vessel with only their plastic bag allegedly containing drugs. The International Maritime Bureau Piracy & Armed Robbery Map for 2018 to date reveals three attempted vessel boardings, and six actual boardings of bulk carriers and product tankers anchored in the vicinity of the terminal.  Mostly the robbers were armed with knives, although on one occasion guns were reportedly sighted. Not all of the actual boardings were successful, with the robbers often making a prompt escape when realising the crew were aware of their presence. In one case, however, an Able Seaman was threatened with a knife and tied to a railing on the forecastle before his shipmates w