Navy shoots at two dredgers

Navy shoots at two dredgers

DPA, Singapore

Two dredgers operating in the Straits of Singapore were attacked by the Indonesian Navy before returning safely to the city-state, a published report said Saturday.

No crew members were injured aboard the Panama-registered Queen of Penta Ocean, which was riddled with almost 100 bullets, the Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) told The Straits Times.

An hour later, the Dutch-registered Volvox Hansa also fled when it was fired upon, the MPA added.

"We do not know why the dredgers were attacked (on Tuesday)," an MPA spokesman said. "However, we have been informed by the Indonesian Navy that two of its patrol craft had fired at them."

Both ships had been in Indonesian waters and deployed by International Reclamation Contractors involved in Tuas and Jurong Island reclamation projects, the MPA said.

According to the report from the Queen of Penta Ocean, it was approaching Singapore when it spotted a small craft with yellow flashing lights following it.

Both it and another boat tried to stop the Queen of Penta Ocean before opening fire. An estimated 50 light rounds and 40- odd heavier bullets hit the ship, the report said.

The shipmasters initially reported the incident as a piracy attack.

The 127-meter Volvox Hansa also reached Jurong safely.