Pirates Action Group continue to menace shipping in the Arabian Sea
Ships are warned of a Pirate Action Groups that continue to operate in the Northern Arabian Sea. So far, the common practice has been the deployment of 2 pirate skiffs to pursue transiting vessels. Following two attacks on the morning of March 4, a further attack occurred in the area later that evening. At 2029 UTC, a merchant vessel, in position 1734N 06037E, approximately 375nm East Northeast of Salalah, Oman, reported coming under attack by 2 skiffs. No further details concerning the vessel and crew are available at present.
The first of the previous attacks occurred at 0922 UTC, where a crude tanker was attacked by a pirate skiff in position 1835N 06347E in the Indian Ocean, approximately 320nm Southeast of Ras al Hadd, Oman. The pirates fired weapons, including RPG, at the vessel, however, the non-essential crew and the unarmed security team moved to a safe room, leaving the bridge team to carry ut anti-piracy measures. The vessel managed to evade the attempted boarding and, once out of danger, found an unexploded RPG on the deck of the ship (IMB PRC report). The next attack in the region took place at 1030 UTC, in position 1103N 06442E in the Indian Ocean, approximately 520nm West-Northwest of Minicoy Island, India. 2 pirate skiffs attacked a container ship firing weapons at the vessel. The vessel's Master enforced the anti-piracy system and managed to evade the hijack attempt (IMB PRC Report). The crew of both vessels are reported to be safe.
The SOS Save Our Seafarers campaign, launched today by BIMCO, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), the International Shipping Federation (ISF), INTERCARGO, INTERTANKO and the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF), is aimed at encouraging millions of people around the world to heap pressure on their national Governments to crack down on piracy. See www.saveourseafarers.com/.
Vessels are reminded that the coalition forces' warships may not be in the vicinity of a pirate attack, subsequently, it is emphasised that seafarers can greatly reduce their chances of being pirated if they follow precautions as recommended in the Best Management Practices, increasing speed and carrying out evasive manoeuvres is a proven deterrent to piracy attacks.
Vessels are advised to exercise extreme caution when navigating in the vicinity of the reported position of the attacks and maintain maximum CPA with any ship acting suspiciously. Additionally, registration of vessel movement with MSC(HOA)prior to transiting the region is recommended.
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Any suspicious activity should be reported to UKMTO in Dubai in the first instance (UKMTO@eim.ae or Telephone+971 50 552 3215) and on entering the UKMTO Voluntary Reporting Area (VRA) bound by Suez,78E and 10S.
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