NATO Shipping Centre: Daily Piracy Update

Last updated: Friday 02 March 2012

Recent Activity
At 1924UTC on 01 March 12, a merchant vessel reported 2 boats and 3 skiffs acting suspiciously in vicinity of 17 05N 058 08E (Alert 017/12). The merchant vessel is safe. Masters are advised to proceed with caution through this area, as the coast of Oman has seen an increase of suspicious activity over the past couple of weeks. Amplifying information can be found in “Current Situation” below.

Military forces have disrupted the dhow that was hijacked on 28 February 12 (Alert 016/12). This dhow is no longer a threat to merchant shipping.

Current Situation
There has been an increase of piracy related activity over the past two weeks in the High Risk Area (HRA), especially off the coast of Oman. Four recent piracy events all reinforce that piracy can occur at any time. These events include suspicious activity by 2 boats and 3 skiffs (Alert 017/12), a hijacked dhow on 28 February 12 (Alert 016/12), an approach approximately 120nm south of the coast of Oman (NSC 09/12) and a hijacked merchant vessel on 15 February 12 (Alert 013/12).

The Bab-el Mandeb (BAM) remains an area of concern as a merchant vessel was fired upon by 2 white skiffs on 28 February 12, in position 12 34N 043 30E (NSC 09/12). Pirate Attack Groups (PAGs) are confirmed as operating off the Omani coast and in the BAM. The incidents noted above highlight the need for continued adherence to Best Management Practices 4 (BMP4) when navigating through any region of the High Risk Area (HRA).

Masters are reminded that a large number of fishing vessels operate in the Southern Red Sea (SRS). The fishing vessels may approach a merchant ship in order to maximise fishing opportunities and to warn vessels from getting too close to the fishing nets. Masters are requested to ensure they distinguish between fishing vessels and potential pirates; fishermen may carry small arms.

Guidance
Masters are advised that the threat of piracy against merchant shipping is always present throughout the HRA, and are advised to ensure all necessary Self Protection Measures are implemented as recommended in BMP4. Prudent and timely application of BMP4 can make the important difference of being approached, attacked or pirated. If an incident occurs, Masters are to report immediately to UKMTO via telephone and provide as much information as possible regarding the incident. This will ensure the information is quickly provided to other ships in the area for their awareness and vigilance. If Masters are safely able to take pictures and/or video of the suspicious activity, please provide these via email to UKMTO (ukmto@eim.ae), NATO Shipping Centre (info@shipping.nato.int) and MSCHOA (postmaster@mschoa.org). This information will be used by Counter Piracy forces to combat piracy activities.

NATO Shipping Centre (NSC) press release