NATO Shipping Centre: Daily Piracy Update

Last updated: Monday 09 January 2012

Recent Activity
Yesterday the crew of the MV OLIB G was released without incident
after over a year in captivity.

Masters are still advised to be vigilant while transiting the HRA as there are other PAGs still active in the Bab al Mandeb (BAM), Gulf of Aden (GOA), and Arabian Sea (AS). Specific areas of concern are indicated on the PAG Map...

Current Situation
There have been three disruptions of PAGs by naval Counter-Piracy (CP) forces over the past few days. The most recent disruption was yesterday (8 January 2012), where a Jelbut style dhow was disrupted approximately 50nm off the coast of central Somalia, in vicinity of 0402N 04817E. On 06 Jan 12, the dhow Al-QASHMI was disrupted in the IRTC by naval CP forces. As well, on 05 January, an approach (Alert 003) was interrupted by the presence of a CP helicopter, and the dhow was disrupted later in the evening in vicinity of 22 27 N 060 59 E.

The Gulf of Aden and Bab al Mandeb (BAM) are areas of increased threat to merchant shipping. On 04 January there were four warnings issued regarding piracy activity and attacks in the BAM (Alert 001, Alert 002, NSC 1/12, and NSC 2/12). These attacks illustrate that piracy can occur at any time. Masters are advised that the PAGs involved in the attacks and approaches today are still in the area. Vessels should proceed with extreme caution through this area.

Masters are reminded that the threat of piracy against merchant shipping is ever-present in the High Risk Area (HRA), and are advised to ensure ALL necessary Self Protection Measures are implemented as recommended in Best Management Practices. Prudent and timely application of BMP can make the important difference of being approached, attacked, or being pirated.

If any incident occurs, Masters are requested to report immediately to UKMTO via telephone and provide the details of the incident. This will ensure the information is quickly provided to other ships in the area for their awareness and vigilance. If Merchant Masters are safely able to take photographs during an attack and provide these photos as well as the details of the situation to the NATO Shipping Centre and UKMTO it would be greatly appreciated. This information will be used to assist the Counter Piracy forces’ ability in combating piracy activities.

NATO Shipping Centre (NSC) press release