As Pirate Action Groups continue to operate in the Arabian Sea, 3 merchant vessels evade attacks in the last 48-hour period.
Two attacks occurred May 10. At 1117 UTC in positions 1735N - 05756E, approximately 230nm ENE of Salalah, a bulk carrier came under attack by 2 skiffs carrying pirates armed with RPG and small arms. As they chased and fired upon the vessel, the Master raised the alarm, issued a SSAS alert, contacted a warship, increased speed and conducted aggressive manoeuvres to shake off the chasing pirates. Due to his evasive measures, the vessel and crew successfully evaded the hijack attempt and continued safely on the journey.
The next attack on May 10, saw a container ship approach by 2 skiffs in position 2517N - 05806E, approximately 105nm NW of Muscat in the Gulf of Oman. The skiffs carried 4 pirates in each, who chased and followed the vessel as close as 185 metres astern. long rods with hooks and ladders, the common paraphernalia of pirates, were observed on the skiffs. The Master ordered a change in course, an increase in speed, conducted evasive manoeuvres and raised the alarm as the crew entered the citadel. The pirates aborted the approach and moved away with a mothership seen in the vicinity, leaving the vessel and crew safe to continue. The stipulation that this approach was by Somali pirates has been stated as only likely.
The latest attack occurred today, May 11, at 0925 UTC in position 1842N - 05932E, approximately 325nm NE of Salalah. A product tanker came under attack from a single skiff, with a dhow mothership in the vicinity. The pirates, armed with RPG and small arms, chased and fired upon the vessel. Once more, a Master raised the alarm, took evasive action and ordered the crew into the citadel. In the meantime, the armed security team on board managed to deter the pirates attempt to board her. Exactly how they did this is not known at present. The vessel and crew are reported to be safe.
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 it they follow precautions as recommended in 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.
OCEANUSLive.org permits the reproduction of this image providing source and link are published (Map ToU )
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.
OCEANUSLive.org
Information, Security, Safety; Shared
Submitted by Team@oceanuslive.org