On the account of recent piracy incident on Indian Mechanized Sailing Vessel (MSV) in Somalia region, the Indian Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) issued a Maritime Security Advisory to ships transiting Gulf of Aden.
In particular, DGS made the following recommendations:
- Attention of all Indian ship owners is invited to the information shared by Korean Naval Ship, UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) and International Maritime Bureau (IMB) regarding hijacking of Indian Mechanized Sailing vessel (MSVs) transiting Gulf of Aden, off Socotra.
- Having serious concern of stated facts of hijacking of MSVs by pirate and understanding the fact of MSVs not being able to track and monitor through Long Range Information Tracking (LRIT) system, all Sailing Vessel association are strongly advised not to transit Gulf of Aden.
- Noting further the consequences of the present situation involving MSVs being hijacked for ransom.
- All The owners, operators and masters of all Indian ships including sailing vessels and fishing vessels are hereby cautioned not to enter in to this region and keep their vessels well clear of this region and preferably keeping a safe distance of at least more than 200 nautical miles from the coast. Those who violate the instructions and decide to operate their vessels in these waters would be doing so at their own risk only.
- These issues with the approval of Nautical Adviser, Government of India.
Source: DGS
