The Deputy Director and Manager in charge of the Ghana Maritime Authority in the Western Region, Captain William Eson Thompson, said in a collaborative effort with the Navy and the Marine Police, that the Maritime Authority had started all-night security patrols at the Takoradi Anchorage and the western coastline to stop the the “Private Odartey” was smaller and faster and it made frequent rounds, while “Paa Grant” was mostly in a strategic position where it monitored the activities of small crafts departing and returning to the shore.

He stated that the joint patrols had been effective in checking the activities of the bandits that used to operate in the area.  He indicated that the Navy also carried out normal patrols on the whole of Ghana’s coast and the Exclusive Economic Zone.

“Petty stealing means locals board vessels at anchorage with the intention of stealing paint, ropes and other ships store. These are not armed and have no intention of harming ship’s crew but only to steal whatever they can lay hands on and quickly run away.”

The Deputy Director also said that fishermen had been advised not to fish too close to the vessels at the anchorage, as they could be mistaken for illegal bunkers. He stated that 23 suspects had been arrested and handed over to the Marine Police for appropriate actions to be taken.

He added, “Thieves disguised as fishermen board vessels at anchorage to steal. Others also use large wooden vessels called ‘Dendeys’ to smuggle diesel from vessels drifting in our territorial waters and bring it to the shore. These products that may not be wholesome are loaded into road tankers and eventually end up being sold on our market.”

Speaking on the negative effect of the illegal bunkering if not quickly checked, the Captain said, “The port could be tagged as an unsafe port in international circles. This means business will go down because insurance premiums will shoot up and any prudent ship owner will prefer a safer port, where it will cost them less to do business.”