Piracy and Prevention Special Edition: March 2009
PIRACY AND PREVENTION (March 2009)
As of 02 March 2009, 7 vessels with 108 seafarers are being detained in Somalian ports.
Latest developments
MARAD Advisory 2009-0001 provides the following guidance regarding the Gulf of Aden:
Effective 01 February 2009 the revised UKMTO transit corridor came into effect. All vessels planning to transit the Gulf of Aden should plan to use the revised corridor.
Revisions to the corridor include the creation of separate east bound and west bound transit lanes. Each lane will be 5 nm wide and will be separated by a 2 nm separation zone.
The East bound lane will begin at 0450 East between 110 48’ North and 110 53’ North. The lane will be orientated along a straight line course of 0720 T, and terminate at 0530 East between 140 18’ North and 140 23’ North.
The West bound lane will begin at 0530 East between 140 25’ North and 140 30’ North. The lane will be orientated along a course of 2520 T, and terminate at 0450 East between 110 55’ North and 120 00’ North.
Warships patrolling the Maritime Security Patrol Area (MSPA) will be positioned to best support vessels transiting in the UKMTO transit corridor.
The UKMTO transit corridor is not marked or defined by visual navigational means, nor is it intended to be a dedicated traffic separation scheme but, in order for warship patrols to be effective, vessels transiting the Gulf of Aden are strongly recommended to adhere to these guidelines regarding use of the UKMTO transit corridor.
MARAD also notes that, in light of the pirates’ increased resolve and adaptability, additional precautions and risk assessments are encouraged. The following recommendations remain in effect for all vessels :
A Demonstrate a willingness to defend yourself. Do not present an attractive target for attack and do not surrender immediately at the first sign of a threat.
B Employ speed and manoeuvre to avoid attack.
- Conduct transit of high threat areas at maximum sustainable speed at all times.
- Maintain a full visual and radar watch throughout transit.
- Provide extra lookouts if possible, especially during daylight hours. Lookouts should be positioned to ensure a 360 degree unobstructed field of view with full view of all freeboard areas.
- Avoid transiting near small boats whenever possible. Due to the sheer number of small boats in the region, most of which are fishing boats that may be difficult to distinguish from pirate vessels, transiting near small boats may be unavoidable.
- Actively watch for developing rules of the road situations and take early action to increase CPAs.
- Aft lookouts must be particularly vigilant for small boats approaching from astern.
- Manoeuvre aggressively if under attack, to remove any lee from either side of ship (sea state dependent). If engineering or other technical problems cause reduced speed, immediately activate defensive measures to reduce vulnerability.
C Adopt passive defence measures. Take all precaution detailed for speed and manoeuvre. Take defensive precautions prior to entering high threat areas, including rigging fire hoses, and raising outboard equipment and/or positioning inboard. Consider other non-lethal measures such as focused sonic devices and flares. Conduct transits in groups with other vessels in accordance with the recommendations provided by MSC-HOA.
D Active defensive measures should be considered, including employment of professional security teams. Properly trained security teams, with experience in maritime defensive procedures, are known to be an effective defence measure. If employing security teams, consideration must be given to the potential for the risk to human life in the event of an engagement between pirates and security teams. It is essential that the training, experience, and qualification of any private security force be verified. Legal relationships between the flag state, ship owners, masters and the security team shall be understood and contractually agreed to.
E If a ship comes under attack, report immediately to UKMTO, broadcast attacks immediately on all available radio circuits, adjust speed and manoeuvre, and activate all available defence measures. Do not immediately surrender upon approach of suspected pirate boats. Attacks have been thwarted in many cases where defensive measures were used and the vessels became difficult targets.
F Additional guidance regarding practices recommended for mariners operating in the vicinity of high risk areas have been published by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) revised Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) circulars. These documents can be accessed via the following link to the IMO website - http://www.imo.org/safety
/mainframe.asp?topic_id=114
To reduce the risk injury from stray bullets, crew are advised to remain inside the accommodation, away from all external bulkheads. Fire fighting appliances must be kept in a state of readiness at all times in order to fight any fires which may break out due to the firing.
If boarded by Pirates
- Offer no resistance as this could lead to unnecessary violence and harm to crew
- If possible, inform the Company and/or Maritime Security Centre
- Remain calm and co-operate fully with the pirates
- Ensure all crew, other than bridge team, stay together in one location
In the event of Military Action
In the event of military action being taken upon your vessel during a piracy incident, keep low to the deck, cover your head with your hands (always ensure your hands are visible and not holding anything) and make no sudden movements unless directed to by friendly forces. Be prepared to answer questions on your identity and status onboard.
Reporting and Assistance
Vessels passing through the Gulf of Aden can make use of the Royal Navy’s 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 1785 3929
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
Best Management Practices to Deter Piracy
Maritime organisations including Intertanko, ICS, BIMCO, IMB and the International Group of P&I Clubs have issued an information booklet which is available here -
Best Management Practices BMP
High Risk Zone Agreement
The Warlike Operations Area Committee has agreed that the “High Risk” zone agreement in respect of the Gulf of Aden should continue in force, and be reviewed not later than 18 June 2009. Further details are available via the following link to the Chamber of Shipping’s website -
http://www.british-shipping.org/pdf.php?file=cos_09-07_high_risk_zone.pdf
&hash=cc16285aa2694e36acd09728e49009d156a14f61150U
General information
Combined Task Force (CTF) 151 is operational in the Gulf of Aden, and coordinates naval ships and resources from more than 20 countries.
The IMB warned, on 02 March 2009, that pirates have been actively attacking vessels sailing in the Gulf of Aden and off eastern Africa with intent to hijack. It appears that favourable weather conditions in the area and the high number of hijacked vessel that have been released recently may have prompted the pirates to actively seek for new targets.
A tanker, a containership and a South Korean vessel were all attacked in the first few days of March 2009.
There have been over 24 attacks by Somalian pirates on merchant ships in 2009. At least 9 of these attacks were repelled with military assistance, and actions by the ships themselves prevented the other attacks.
Increasing violence is reportedly being used by Somali pirates during hijack attempts. Most attacks are understood to take place during the early hours of the day.
Warships off the coast of Somalia are using helicopters and unmanned drones to hunt pirates
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EUROPEAN Union legal teams are working on a deal that will allow naval forces operating in the Gulf of Aden to prosecute pirates in a several regional states. Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia and Egypt have all been identified as potential jurisdictions.
The IMO has been hosting sessions of two working groups of the UN contact group on piracy. Items on the agendas include the formation of a centre for sharing information between the military forces of the different countries operating in the Gulf of Aden, and strengthening shipping’s self-awareness on Somali piracy issues.
IMB live piracy map showing attacks reported in 2009.
(Link to live Piracy Map - http://www.icc-ccs.org/index.php?option=com
_fabrik&view=visualization&controller=visualization.googlemap&Itemid=219)
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