For reporting period 30 October to 6 November 2013
The NATO Shipping Centre (NSC) has issued its Weekly Piracy Assesment from October 30 to November 6, 2013. During this week, a merchant vessel reported to be under attack by one skiff in position 05 31S 047 07E. Armed security team fired warning shots, the skiff replied fire but broke off. (06.11.2013)
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General Guidance to take into consideration
- Masters are advised to remain vigilant at all times inside the High Risk Area (HRA) and follow the guidance and protective measures, as set down in BMP4
- Sailing yachts should avoid transiting the HRA. Past activity has shown that pirates will attack both large and small yachts passing their way. Despite the fact that attacks on merchant vessels appear to have decreased, the possibility of attacks and the successful pirating of sailing vessels remains likely due to their vulnerability and the reduction of revenue sources from pirated merchant vessels.
- When reporting, information should be complete, in particular reports to include any piracy related equipment /weapons (ladders/RPGs). Many of these incidents have been assessed as non-piracy related activity and are associated with common patterns of life in the area. These activities include fishing, small vessel trade, smuggling and other local vessel movements.
- As monsoon transition is predominant in the area, S and SE winds are giving more favourable conditions forsmall boat activityin the more prominent fishing areas and Coastal waters.
- The threat 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.
- It is imperative that merchant vessels remain vigilant at all times in transit and/or at anchorage and fully implement protection measures set down in BMP4 across the whole High Risk Area (HRA) as it can make the critical difference of being approached, attacked, or pirated. NSC would like to remind masters that BMP4 highly recommends maintaining best possible vessel speed when transiting the HRA to deter pirate boarding.
- Masters are encouraged to monitor navigational, coastal and local warnings and Notice to Mariners.
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