Attack on Yacht near Lae Papua New Guinea

Created by doina. Last modified on 2007-03-23 15:14:20
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Topic: Piracy Reports 2004

In September 2004 whilst travelling from Alatou to Madang after departing Australia from Cairns, on a 11m Australian Registered Yacht "Tanandra" with a crew of two on board we were robbed and attacked at Cape Gerhards, Hamisch Harbour PNG.

We arrived at the harbour about 4.30pm after a day sail from Morobe and asked a local fishing boat for the best anchorage position for overnight. The group assisted cheerfully and on being shown the position another canoe with four males on board came out. We were anchored about 50m from the shore. After anchoring we gave boat vessels a gift of food and perceeded to eat and prepare for a good night's sleep. On retiring about 8pm the boat was secured from the inside and a light placed in the cockpit for security.

About 9pm I heard a person whistling continually so I looked out through the top hatch and saw a canoe with 3 persons on board about 10m from the boat. I spoke but received no reply and then went back to bed. About midnight I was awoken by noise and noticed the cockpit light went out. On opening the top hatch looking to the stern of the boat where I saw a person I was hit from behind and they attempted to drag me out of the hatch. I dropped back down below and secured the hatch as I dropped.

My partner in the meantime attempted to close a small hatch above the galley and was chopped across her hand with a large bush knife. We placed a towel on the hand and attempted to contact other ships with a Mayday call. No response was received. Threats to kill us were being shouted, bush knives and a home made gun were being poked down the hatch, and a lot of bashing on the decks were going on. I shot a flare out the hatch amongst the robbers and immediately all went quiet except for a departing sound of a shot from the home made gun.

Ater a few minutes of quiet I armed myself with a knife and bolt cutters, cut the anchor chain and motored away. No further sightings of anyone were seen and as my partner was bleeding and we were not sure of the extent of the wound we decided to motor to Lae (35 nm away) to get assistance. On arrival at Lae yacht club we were assisted to a clinic and her injury was stiched. This was a serious incident, more than robbery, and since then I have heard of more incidents in the area and around Madang.

I would advise any cruising yacht to be extremely cautious in the PNG area.

Denis Rumpf