Four merchant ships reported coming under fire
The Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) has issued the following advisories:
“A merchant vessel reported coming under fire at 0532Z on 3 October 2011 in position 0459N 05800E, approximately 600nm southeast of Socotra, Yemen.”
“A merchant vessel reported being boarded at 0421Z on 2 October 2011 in position 1302N-04851E, approximately 110nm southwest from Mukalla Yemen.”
“A merchant vessel reported coming under fire at 1048Z on 2 October 2011 in position 1627N 06257E, approximately 480nm east of Salala, Oman.”
“A merchant vessel reported coming under fire at 0425Z on 2 October 2011 in position 0355N 05620E, approximately 70nm northeast of the Seychelles.”
These areas will remain high risk for at least the next 24-48 hours.
The Maritime Administrator would take this opportunity to again urge all vessels operating in the High Risk Area to actively implement recommended Best Management Practices for anti-piracy measures as follows:
- Prepare the crew (refer to Marshall Islands MG-2-11-12);
- Harden the ship before the ship enters the High Risk Area (HRA);
- When entering the HRA from the direction of either the Suez Canal, the Arabian Gulf at 26N, the south at 15S or from the east at 78E:
o Register the ship with the MSCHOA (http://www.mschoa.org /+44 (0) 1923 958545);
o Report to the UKMTO ([email protected] / +971 505 523 215);
o Advise whether private armed security is being used; and
o Continue to provide daily reports of ship’s position, course, speed and estimated and actual arrival times to UKMTO while in the HRA.
- Remember, the ship must be registered with the MSCHOA and report to the UKMTO with every intended transit of the HRA;
- Consider participating in the SSRS service (http://ssrs.org);
- Utilize the IRTC in the GoA;
- For low and slow ships, join pre-scheduled military escorted convoys through the GoA;
- Avoid navigating through the Mozambique Channel whenever possible;
MSD 001 (11/01) 2 of 2 MSA No. 129-11 - Continue to maintain a heightened state of awareness;
- Maintain strict 24 hour anti-piracy visual and radar watches at sea and in port anchorages; and
- Report all attacks and suspicious sightings to the UKMTO, MARLO (+973-3940-1395), COMUSNAVCENT (+973-1785-3879), IMB Piracy Reporting Centre ([email protected], +603-2031-0014) or NATO Shipping Centre (NSC) (+44 (0) 1923 956574, [email protected]).
The Maritime Administrator advises that the RMI flag State does not object to vessel owners, operators, and/or Masters taking appropriate measures in regard to the safety and security of their vessels, crew and cargo. Whether to use an armed or unarmed security detail and how to facilitate that detail is a decision for the vessel operator to make after assessing the piracy related risks in the area where the vessel will be operating, the potential risks and benefits of available anti-piracy related countermeasures, and the logistics of implementing those measures. This assessment could include discussions with labour representatives, port officials, charterers, counsel, and underwriters. Reference should be made to IMO MSC.1/Circ.1405/Rev.1 and Circ.1406/Rev.1 before engaging any PCASP.
Source: ONI
