Maritime Commons shared the content of the US Maritime Alert 2018-001A, which was issued on January 18, 2018, informing operators of two suspicious maritime incidents reported in the Southern Red Sea in the past two weeks.
The first incident occurred on January 6 2018, in the Southern Red Sea. Three separate merchant vessels were approached by three small boats, each with up to six armed men aboard. None of the merchant vessels were attacked, however USCG reminds operators to remain vigilant when they pass through this area.
The second incident took place on January 9, 2018, in the Ban El Mandeb Strait. A merchant vessel was approached by two small boats, each with five men aboard. each with faces obscured. The boats aborted, however aborted the approach, probably because of rough seas. The vessel is recorded as safe. Once more, USCG urges operators to exercise caution when transiting this area.
