Anti Piracy Update on proper use/implementation of citadels
INTERTANKO has issued the following information regarding the successful use of a citadel on board a specific ship with guidance received from naval authorities:
General feedback on citadels
Operators are reminded of the recommendations provided within BMP3 (Best Management Practice 3rd edition) regardingthe definitionsof a “Safe Muster Point” and a”Citadel” and arealso reminded that BMP3 directs the reader to check with MSCHOA (Maritime Security Centre Horn of Africa) directly regarding the use of citadels.
Citadels have been a source of controversy since the beginning of the EUNAVFOR operation in 2008. To date, the provision of advice on the use citadels, in the context of a potential military response from a Counter Piracy Task force, has been resisted. However, this year military forces have been able to liberate three ships, by conducting “opposed boardings” whilst the crew were contained in a sealed security space inside the vessel (commonly referred to as a citadel).
This has resulted in a growing perception in the shipping industry that citadels, if properly used, will result in the “re-taking” of the ship by counter piracy boarding teams. As a consequence of this perception, EUNAVFOR MSCHOA, in discussion and with the support of industry,has decided to issue some guidance and advice relating to these expectations. The wording and guidance on the MSCHOA web site regarding citadels is also supported by NATO and the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).
The current advice, set out in the citadel advice section on the MSCHOA website, and developed in partnership and collaboration with NATO, attempts to manage the expectations of the shipping community to reflect their safe and responsible use in the context of an opposed boarding.
Operators are strongly urged to make sure that they are fully aware of the MSCHOA guidance on Citadels which is available on the MSCHOA web site at http://www.mschoa.org/
Specific Feedback on recent incident involving a successful use of citadel
- BMP3 advice refers to MSCHOA (as referred to above). In this respect, MSCHOA/NATO state that citadels should not be used in the Indian Ocean. The citadel used on this occasion was not, we understand, a true citadel as per the definitions contained in BMP3.
- We understand that the crew were contained in the citadel for approximately 34hours.
- Initially there was no warship close to the vessel during thecitadel incident until HMS Montrose approached the vessel approximately 25 hours later and eventually boarded the vessel.
- There were no sightings of pirates by HMS Montrose as she arrivedat her position, so the vessel must have been abandoned by the pirates some time before.
- We understand that the crew determined it was safe to vacate the citadel after being contacted and thereafter boarded by the boarding team of HMS Montrose who confirmed tomaster and crew that it was safe to leave their citadel.
Information Note
Operators are advised that guidance and advice in relation to a minimum set of citadel operation pre-conditions that need to be met (such as the 2-way long-range communications) are being developed by EUNAVFOR in discussion with NATO as it is felt this will assist in generating the responsible use of citadels.
Source : INTERTANKO