Following recent successful actions by coalition forces operating off the Somali coast, it seems the pirates are launching desperate bids to capture vessels before the monsoon season gets underway in the region. Furthermore, recent depletion of the 'pirate fleet' of dhows used as motherships and, in some cases, unable to depart the pirate anchorages, may have made the pirates more determined to replenish their operational capability.
Within 48-hours, five attacks had been carried out spanning the length of the pirates vast area of operations, from the south as far as Madagascar, up to the north into the Gulf of Oman. Not only have the attacks intensified in comparison to recent weeks, the previously pirated vessel, MV Eagle, has deployed into the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea, and has been assessed as likely to be acting as a mothership.
A Panama-flag container ship, on May 15 at 1639 UTC, was chased and attacked by pirates in a single skiff approximately 110nm northeast of Socotra Island and east of the Gulf of Aden Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC). The vessel carried out evasive manoeuvres and implemented anti-piracy countermeasures to successfully evade the attempted hijack.
A VLCC avoided capture by pirates off the Oman coast. Approximately 145nm east by northeast of Muscat on May 16 at 1036 UTC, the vessel was fired upon by 4 pirates in a skiff. The pirates attempted to board the vessel several times using grappling hooks, but due to the aggressive evasive manoeuvres ordered by the ships' Master, who had raised the alarm and informed the appropriate authorities, managed to deter the pirates. A naval helicopter arrived on the scene which further discouraged the pirate attack. A recently captured cargo dhow, MSV Faize Goushe Noor, is believed to be carrying out mothership operations off the Oman coast - around 22N 60E, states the NATO Shipping Centre.
Two attacks were carried out off the coast of Tanzania. The first, at 0733 UTC, saw a Spanish-flagged fishing vessel attacked by a single skiff with a whaler (mothership) in the vicinity, approximately 160nm southeast of Dar es Salaam. The vessel was fired upon by 5 pirates in the skiff, however, the vessel carried a security team who fired warning shots resulting in the pirates aborting the attempted hijack. The second attack, at 1156 UTC, occurred only 25nm south from the first attack . 4 pirates in a skiff fired RPG at a vehicle carrier, which managed to evade capture. It is not too much of a stretch to consider the attacks may have been conducted by the same PAG. With weather conditions deteriorating, this particular PAG may find its operations disrupted presently.
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.
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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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