Reporting period 7-13 November 2013
The NATO Shipping Centre has issued its Weekly Piracy Assessment for period 7-13 November 2013.
During this week, two pirate attacks have been reported on merchant vessels by the same pirate group in positions 0720S 04837E and 0531S 04707E, respectively, during the period covering this weekly update, and though that pirate group was disrupted by a NATO naval unit, these attacks prove that thethreat of piracy against merchant shipping continues throughout the HRA. Successful disruptions by naval forces, in conjunction with masters’ adherence and implementation of BMP4, have significantly reduced the pirates’ ability to capture vessels. Pirates retain capability of conducting acts of piracy against vessels of opportunity.
According to NATO Shipping Centre, Pirate Attack Groups (PAGs) have made “soft-approaches” on merchant ships transiting the HRA. Skiffs have been known to approach vessels in order to probe the reaction of the crew and any possible Privately Contracted Armed Security Personnel (PCASP) onboard. If the pirate approach does not elicit a response, the pirates may then proceed with an attack, using additional skiffs. However, the use of BMP4 and the reaction of PCASP have recently been effective in warning off any small boats which might otherwise have had close contact with the transiting vessel.
View updated pirates data by clicking at the table below
Source: NATO Shipping Centre