Following subsequent piracy attacks, Maritime Domain Awareness for Trade – Gulf of Guinea (MDAT-GoG) has assessed a heightened risk of piracy within Zones D, E & F in the region.
MDAT-GoG, a cooperation centre between the Royal Navy (UKMTO) and the French Navy (MICA-Center) in support of the Yaounde Process, strongly recommend ships and crews transiting this area from 4 June to increase their vigilance and retain enhanced local surveillance and apply BMP West Africa procedures.
The announcement was followed by a suspicious vessel approach while in transit about 49nm SW Lomé, within Zone F in the Gulf of Guinea, according to data by maritime security intelligence firm Dryad Global.
Reporting indicates that a master reported a suspicious approach by small wooden craft with 10 POB. The vessel is understood to have approached the port side before signaling distress and making a request that the vessel reduce speed. The master is understood to have been unable to confirm distress and as a precaution increased vessel speed. No visible signs of pirate paraphernalia were sighted and vessel and crew were safe.
Recent incident reporting has indicated preferential targeting of large Fishing Vessels with two attacks resulting in the kidnap of crew within the last 4 weeks. In late May, the fishing vessel ATLANTIC PRINCESS was boarded about 65nm South of Tema, resulting in kindap of 5 crew members, while the fishing vessel Iris S was attacked 108nm South Cotonou, on May 31, resulting in the kidnap of another 5 crew.
On available information the latest approach does not appear to indicate a sustained and deliberate approach with piratical intent,
…Dryad Global informed.
All vessels operating within the immediate areas are advised to do so at a heightened posture and to report all suspicious movements to [email protected]
