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<b>
NATO Shipping Centre: Daily Piracy Update
</b> 

<br><br>
<i>
Last updated: Wednesday 25 January 2012
</i>
<br><br>

<b>Recent Activity</b>
<br>
Two individuals kidnapped by Somali pirates on 25 Oct 2011, <br>were rescued on 25 January 2012.
<br><br>



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In the past 24 hours there have been two reports of suspicious activity. A merchant ship reported 2 suspicious skiffs in the Southern Red Sea/Bab al Mandeb (SRS/BAM), in the vicinity of 1322N 04247E. A second merchant ship reported a suspicious skiff in the Strait of Hormuz in the vicinity of 2538N 05701E.
<br><br>

Masters are reminded that a large number of fishing vessels operate in the 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.
<br><br>
<b>Current Situation</b>
<br>
Although there has been little pirate activity recently, the Gulf of Aden (GOA) Bab al Mandeb (BAM) and Arabian Sea (AS) are still considered areas of increased threat to merchant shipping. Vessels should proceed with extreme caution through this area.
<br><br>
Naval Counter Piracy (CP) forces have been successful in disrupting PAGs. Since the beginning of January 2012, approximately 70 suspected pirates have been detained.
<br><br>
<b>Guidance</b>
<br>
Masters are advised that the threat of piracy against merchant shipping is always 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.
<br><br>
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 or video during an attack and provide these   to the NATO Shipping Centre and UKMTO, along with the details of the event, it will be greatly appreciated.  This information will be used by Counter Piracy forces’ to combat piracy activities.




<br>
<br><a href="http://www.shipping.nato.int" target="_blank">NATO Shipping Centre (NSC) press release</a>


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