Pirate action groups in the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean continue to menace shipping.
Over the past 48 hours, pirates have carried out four attacks spanning a distance of approximately 840nm in the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean. The first instance was a container ship attacked by heavily armed pirates in 2 skiffs on March 23. The following day, 2 attacks occurred in the Arabian sea not too far apart east of Ras al Had, Oman. One attack saw pirates in a single, white skiff, displaying small arms and RPG. The ship evaded hijack through security measures, whilst the later attack on a bulk carrier, again by a single skiff, saw the vessel chased prior to the attack being aborted. However, alarmingly, the last report stated the pirates had returned and boarded the vessel with the crew retreating to the safe room, or citadel. It is believed that the vessel is now safe. There is no clarification on the incident thus far. Today, March 25, an attack was carried out by 2 skiffs 177nm north of the attack carried March 23. It is possible that the same PAG carried out the attacks in the area. The positions of the attacks are: clarified by an , which states:
- March 23 at 1015 UTC, in position 0900N 06627E 390nm West of Minicoy Island, India - heavily armed pirates in 2 skiffs and a mothership chased and fired upon a container ship. Master raised alarm, sounded ships' whistle, increased speed and took evasive manoeuvres. Vessel managed to outrun the skiffs, and no injuries were inflicted on the crew IMB Report.
- March 24 at 0455 UTC, in position 2250N 06344E, a 7-metre long white skiff with 7-8 pirates carrying weapons and RPG. Vessel carried out evasive actions, crew retreat to safe room, distress message transmitted, and the armed security team fired warning shots which deterred the pirate attack IMB Report.
- March 24 at 0737 UTC, in position 2226N 06340E, a bulk carrier was chased by a single pirate skiff. After appearing to abort the attack, the skiff returned and boarded the vessel. The crew had retreated to the safe room. Although no further details are available at present concerning the attack, the vessel reportedly evaded hijack IMB Report.
- March 25 at 1144 UTC, in position 1139N 06506E, a bulk carrier came under attack by 2 skiffs with 7 armed pirates firing weapons whilst chasing the vessel. Master raised alarm, increased speed, carried out evasive manoeuvres and informed authorities. Security team fired warning shots once skiff closed to within 50 metres. Pirates aborted attack and returned to mothership observed 4nm away. The vessel evaded the hijack attempt.
Two fishing vessels, FV Jin Chun Tsai 68 and FV Montesa, or Morteza, are operating in the Arabian Sea.
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. The use of a CITADEL DOES NOT guarantee a military response. Before owners, operators and masters commit to a policy that recommends the use of a citadel, it is important to understand the criteria that military forces will apply before a boarding to free the ship can be considered.
Vessels are advised to exercise extreme caution when navigating in the vicinity of the reported position of the attack 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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