Reporting period: 10-16 May 2012
During the reporting period of 10 May to 16 May 2012 there has been an increase in pirate attacks in the High Risk Area (HRA) with two vessels attacked, one vessel pirated and three disruptions. Pirate Attack Group (PAG) activity is still expected to continue. Specific areas of suspected and known PAG locations can be found on our PAG map:
http://www.shipping.nato.int/operations/OS/Pages/PAGmap.aspx
When contacting UKMTO and the NSC to provide information on suspicious activity, please provide as much detail as possible, including photos if available. Also, please provide the most accurate report of the incident as possible in order to assist military assets to respond most effectively.
It has been observed recently that some Masters are choosing to phone their CSO first in the event of a piracy incident.
One of the fundamental requirements of BMP4 states that UKMTO is the primary point of contact for merchant vessels during piracy incidents in the High Risk Area which should avoid unnecessary delay and possible inaccurate or incomplete information reaching military commanders.
CSOs should ensure their ships’ security plan reinforces the BMP4 recommendation that UKMTO should be telephoned on +971 50 55 23215 in the event of any piracy activity. UKMTO will then make every effort to contact the CSO as a matter of priority with any information received, whilst ensuring the relevant information reaches the military commanders with the minimum of delay.
Your support in this matter is most appreciated.
Southern Red Sea (SRS)/Bab Al Mandeb (BAM) / Gulf of Aden (GOA)/Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC)
There have been no significant changes over the past week. Masters are advised that fishing activity is expected to continue and likely to increase in this area over the next few months.
Arabian Sea (AS)/Greater Somali Basin (SB)/Gulf of Oman (GOO)/Mozambique Channel (MC)
On 12 May 2012 naval forces from European Union (EU) in the Somali Basin conducted a successful disruption on a land based pirate camp.
On 11 May 2012, NATO and Counter Piracy forces from EU successfully disrupted 2 PAGs. The first, in the Northern SB was made up of a single dhow towing 2 Skiffs. The second in the Southern AS was made up of a single dhow.
On 10 May 2012, a merchant vessel was pirated (Alert 040/12) by two skiffs in position 15 58N 06103E in the South AS. The ship is now under pirate control and is anchored off the Somali coast. Also a merchant vessel was attacked (Alert 041/12) by a skiff in position 14 18N 058 27E approximately 150nm South West from the pirated vessel on the same day.
On 09 May 2012, a merchant vessel was attacked (Alert 039/12) by 2 white skiffs in position 10 40N 060 04E approximately 360nm South East of Socotra Island. A mothership and a total of 8 skiffs were reported at the same location.
Counter Piracy Guidance Update
Successful disruptions by naval forces over the past few months, in conjunction with masters’ adherence and implementation of BMP4, have significantly reduced the pirates’ ability to capture vessels. Somali pirates have shown the ability to act far off the coast of Somalia and in darkness. Somali pirates in search of vessels of opportunity, such as those who are not readily employing BMP4 recommended Ship Protection measures. Both dhows and whalers are being used as motherships, in the northern SB and AS the preferred motherships are local dhows, whereas in the southern SB, 8-metre whalers are preferred.
Details of all alerts can be found on NSC Alert details webpage: http://www.shipping.nato.int/Pages/AllAlerts.aspx
Early registration with MSCHOA before entering the HRA and regular reporting to UKMTO are highly recommended, as per Section 5 of BMP4. Prudent and timely implementation of all recommended actions and ship hardening measures in BMP4 can make the important difference of being approached, attacked, or pirated. NSC would like to remind masters that BMP4 highly recommends maintaining maximum vessel speed when transiting the High Risk Area (HRA) to prevent pirate boardings.
Somali pirates operating in this area are looking to pirate merchant ships, yet past activity has shown that pirates will attack both large and small yachts passing their way. Larger yachts with more people onboard or a group of yachts could be seen as a valuable and easy target for the pirates. For more information, please read the Let your Yacht take the ferry document located in the “New on the Web Page” section on the NSC website main page.
Masters are reminded that a large number of fishing vessels operate in the Southern Red Sea (SRS), Bab al-Mandeb (BAM) and up to 50 nm off the west coast of India. Fishing vessels may approach a merchant ship in order to maximise fishing opportunities or to safeguard fishing nets. Fishing off India is generally carried out by mechanized boats and single hull boats with outboard motor carrying 4-5 crew using long lines. Masters are requested to ensure they distinguish between fishing vessels and potential pirates when able; fishermen may carry small arms.
If any incident occurs, Masters are requested to report immediately to UKMTO via telephone and provide the details of the incident. This will ensure the information is provided to other ships in the area for their awareness and vigilance.
If Masters are safely able to take pictures and/or video of the suspicious activity, please provide these via email to UKMTO ([email protected]), the NATO Shipping Centre ([email protected]) and MSCHOA ([email protected]).
Source: NATO Shipping Centre
