Piracy and Prevention Special Edition: November 2008
PIRACY AND PREVENTION (November 2008)
Armed pirates have, in recent months, attacked over 80 merchant ships in the Gulf of Aden with rocket propelled grenades and automatic weapons. In the last month alone there have been about 23 attempted boardings, and 12 vessels with 238 seafarers are currently detained in Somalian ports.
Protection
In order to try and protect merchant vessels, a Maritime Security Patrol Area (MSPA) was set up in the Gulf of Aden, which is being patrolled by coalition naval vessels, supported by military aircraft and helicopters. Additional naval vessels from countries including Russia and India are also deployed. A further naval and airborne patrol force headed up by Vice Admiral Philip Jones, Royal Navy, is expected to be deployed in the Gulf of Aden in December 2008.
Details of the MSPA are as follows:
Waypoint: 12 15N 0 45E
Waypoint: 12 35N 0 45E
Waypoint: 13 35N 0 49E
Waypoint: 13 40N 0 49E
Waypoint: 14 10N 0 50E
Waypoint: 14 15N 0 50E
Waypoint: 14 35N 0 53E
Waypoint: 14 45N 0 53E
Naval Escorts
The European Union (EU) has initiated a ‘Close Support Protection’ system for vessels transiting the Gulf of Aden. The French navy is the first to offer this service.
The French Navy is able to provide protection teams onboard two merchant vessels at a time, upon request. The rest of the ships intending to follow this group of ‘protected vessels’ can do so without protection teams onboard, however the presence of the warships should deter pirates from attacking any vessels in the group. Vessels can also call the nearby warships for assistance if attacked by pirates.
In the next three months, the following slots are proposed:
Point A (SW of the Gulf of Aden): 12°30N-045°00E
Point B (North of Socotra Island): 14°40N-053°00E
| From A to B: | From B to A: |
| - 28 to 29 October - 21 to 22 November - 25 to 26 November - 4 to 5 December - 22 to 23 December |
- 30 to 31 October - 23 to 24 November - 27 to 28 November - 6 to 7 December - 24 to 25 December |
- All rendezvous are on first day of the slot at 0800 LT (A: GMT + 3, B: GMT + 4).
- Average speed is 14 knots.
- Technical agreement between ship-owners and French navy has to be established prior to the protection team being embarked.
- Protection is free.
- Civilian vessels willing to benefit from such escorts have to make contact 10 days before the slot.
For enquiries regarding exact time and date of departure, please contact:
French Force commander staff for Indian OceanTel: 00 33 4 94 02 89 49
E-mail: alindien@free.fr
Reporting and Assistance
Vessels passing through the Gulf of Aden can make use of the UK Royal Navy Maritime Trade Organisation (UKMTO) Merchant Vessel Voluntary Reporting Scheme, details of which can be obtained from UKMTO, Dubai, on Tel: +971 50 552 3215 or +971 50 552 6007 or via
E-mail: ukmtodubai@eim.ae or ukmtodubai@hotmail.com
The US Navy Maritime Liaison Office (MARLO), in Bahrain has recommended the following procedure, in order that timely military assistance can be provided:
- When in distress, call for help on VHF Channel16 and MF/HF DSC.
- Immediately Contact UKMTO by phone at
- Tel: +971 50 552 3215
- Email: ukmtodubai@eim.ae
- If no answer call MARLO, Bahrain at
- Tel: +973 3940 1395
- Email: Marlo.Bahrain@Me.Navy.Mil
- Activate SSAS (Ship Security Alert System).
Other relevant contacts include:
IMB Piracy Reporting Centre:
Tel: +60 3 2078 5763, Fax: +60 3 2078 5769, Email: imbkl@icc-ccs.org
Telex: MA34199 IMBPCI
ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre, Singapore:
Tel: +65 6376 3091, Fax: 6376 3066, http://www.recaap.org
US Navy Maritime Liaison Office (MARLO), Bahrain
Tel: +973 3940 1395, Email: MARLO.BAHRAIN@ME.NAVY.MIL
Coalition Maritime Forces (CMF)
Tel: +973 1781 2951 or via Channel 16
The Royal Navy’s Gulf Mariners information is available from:
http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/operations-and-support/operations/operations-in-the-gulf/index.htm
Prevention
- Most attacks take place during daylight hours in good weather.
- Pirates have rarely boarded a vessel steaming at over 15 knots
- Rapid alterations of course have delayed pirates enough for assistance to arrive
- Crew should be fully briefed, and emergency contact details readily available
Members are advised that a piracy watch should be maintained when in the area. This can include doubling watches, additional lookouts astern, and keeping the engineroom manned and ready for immediate manoeuvring.
Traditional prevention methods include rigging fire hoses overside, extra lights on or around the deck, sealing all access doors from the inside. These are limited defence tactics which could force the pirates to look for a more defenceless victim.
If a vessel is fired upon, the primary consideration should be ensuring the safety of the crew, who should, where possible, seek protection in areas like the middle of the accommodation.
Additional methods to assist in detection and possible defence include:
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VIGILANCE is probably the best form of defence. If you can detect the pirates’ boat early enough and raise an alarm, then the likelihood is that this could deter them from boarding, especially where there is the possibility of assistance from naval vessels.
Private Security
There are private security organisations who can provide training for ship’s staff and security guards, and can also assist with threat assessments. These include:
| ArmorGroup | +44 20 7808 5800 | http://www.armorgroup.com |
| ASI Global Consultants | +1 713 430 7300 | http://www.asiglobalresponse.com |
| Aegis Defence Services | +44 20 7222 1020 | http://www.aegisworld.com |
| Anti Piracy Maritime Security Solutions | +44 7809 727 001 | http://www.apmss.co.uk |
| Clayton Consultants Inc | +1 866 349 1506 | http://www.claytonconsultants.com |
| Hart Security | +44 20 7751 0771 | http://www.hartsecurity.com |
| HudsonAnalytix | +1 856 486 0800 | http://hudsonanalytix.com |
| International Maritime Secuirty | +44 1233 820 7 | |
| Kroll Associates | + 44 20 7029 5062 | |
| Securcewest International (Maritime Assistance Centre) | +1 757 461 4343 | http://www.securewest.com |
| SICOM Maritime Security Services | +254 728 331922 | http://www.sicom-austria.at |
Suspected Pirate ships
The IMB has issued details of mother ships from which the pirates are suspected to operate.
The IMB’s description of the suspected trawlers is - white, Russian made stern trawlers with names "BURUM OCEAN or ARENA or ATHENA". Additionally there is reported to be a bluecoloured tug operating in the vicinity.
However we stress that the situation is uncertain and mariners should navigate with extreme caution, especially if approached by small vessels.
The following report was received by the ICS on 28 October from a vessel in the area:
Situation: Vessel was under full lockdown with anti-piracy lookout posted on both bridge wings night and day and navigating in Gulf of Aden safety corridor.
First attack took place at 08:00 in posn 13-26N, 48-27E. Three high speed craft approached with direct intent from port side 45degrees off the bow.
Interesting was that 2 were the typical white type but the centre and forward attack vessel was actually a Yemeni skiff fitted with large outboard engine and was being used as a screen to mask the other two craft. I called the company on the telephone, I made evasive
manoeuvres, mayday call on vhf, mustered all in our security muster station (conference room) and kept 3/O on the bridge with a helmsman.
We came under automatic small arms fire targeted at the bridge. No damage or injuries. I was also sounding the air horn whilst making S-turns and calling Mayday on VHF16. After about 10min the attackers gave up chase and stopped and re-grouped. We escaped. When I was sure the situation was under control I debriefed the crew to calm them and assured them we would remain on high alert.
The 2nd attack was more serious and came at 15:00 in posn 12-54N, 46-40E where 3 fast attack boats were seen departing from a mother ship fishing vessel white in colour. I set off the Ship Security Alert System [SSAS]. The boats were same as in the photos sent out being white and had 4 men in each. I immediately called Mayday on vhf, mustered crew in safe place and was again fired upon by automatic small arms fire but with more aggression
lasting about 5 minutes into the accom block.
Fortunately a coalition warship (Spanish Navy) heard my mayday call and responded by sending out a Russian aircraft to our scene which was patrolling the area. I was told 20min until it arrived but we were actually being fired upon at the time. The fire was a lot more intense than the morning attack. I maintained S-turns but was unable to determine visually if we had been boarded or not due to the amount of fire coming in.
I maintained mayday calls and was assured by the Spanish warship on vhf that 10min to help. The attackers were then seen to yield, re-group then re-attack. I was contacted by the aircraft to tell me he had me in sight and would be there in a few minutes. I was very happy to see the echo on my radar of the inbound aircraft. The pirates were within 100m when the small fixed wing Russian bomber arrived and gave a very low passing. The pirates yielded.
The aircraft then proceeded to drop ordinance on them. The situation became safe very quickly with the bomber in attendance.
About 20min later a French attack helicopter arrived to check our situation was under control and we alerted him as to the estimated position of the pirate mother ship. I thanked them and made communications with the office and UK MTO commanding forces to inform all ok and debrief.
The danger here is absolutely real. I will be in Red Sea in 12hrs time and clear of the hazardous area. Except for some paint being damaged by gunfire, we are fine and have no damage or injuries at this time.
Maps
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