Marine Security Advisory: 11/2008 - Gulf of Aden Anti-Piracy Distress Calling Procedure and Emergency Contact Information

Fax: Email: Securit +1 703 790 5655 y@liscr.co m

November 17, 2008

MARITIME SECURITYADVISORY – 11/2008

This Security Advisory augments “Maritime Security Advisory – 10/2008”

SUBJECT: Gulf of Aden Anti-Piracy Distress Calling Procedure and Emergency Contact Information

For The Information of Owners/Operators/Masters:

This Security Advisory provides anti-piracy distress calling procedures for Liberian flagged vessels transiting the Gulf of Aden and information regarding voluntary reporting schemes.

In order to improve responsiveness to any type of incident and to save time if assistance is required, the Liberian Administration strongly encourages Masters to abide by the following procedures and participate in the voluntary reporting schemes described below.

1. Imminent Attack

Should an attack appear imminent:

1. Activate the SSAS (Ship Security Alert System)
2. Call for help on VHF – 16 and MF/HF DSC. CTF vessels in vicinity and any vessel in vicinity.
3. Contact UKMTO 24 hr Duty Officer Phone at +971 50 552 3215, Email: UKMTO@eim.ae
4. If no answer call MARLO Bahrain 24 hour Duty Officer phone at +973 3940 1395, Email: Marlo.Bahrain@me.navy.mil
5. Contact CSO in accordance with SSP/company procedures.

2. Suspected Piracy Activity

In the event of suspected pirate activity:

1. Contact CSO in accordance with SSP/company procedures;
2. Contact UKMTO (Phone at +971 50 552 3215, Email: UKMTO@eim.ae) and/or MARLO (+973 39401395, Email: Marlo.Bahrain@me.navy.mil)
3. Contact the IMB 24/7 Hotline at Telephone: + 603 2031 0014, E-Mail: imbsecurity@icc-ccs.org (imbkl@icc-ccs.org or piracy@icc-ccs.org)

3. Reporting Scheme When Transiting the Gulf of Aden

Masters of Liberian flagged vessels are strongly encouraged to participate in the Merchant Vessel Voluntary Reporting Scheme to improve responsiveness and to save time when assistance is required.

The Maritime Liaison Office (MARLO) in Bahrain and the United Kingdom Maritime Trade

Organization (UKMTO) cooperate with the Coalition Maritime Forces (CMF) and assist the commercial maritime industry to communicate with CMF in the Middle East. Both MARLO and UKMTO pass the position reports of vessels in the Gulf of Aden to the Combined Task Force (CTF 150) who coordinates the activities of all the warships and NATO forces in the region.

The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) maintains a 24/7 watch system reporting pirate attacks in the area to CMF and issues warnings about hotspots.

3.1. When & Where to Report

Masters of vessels are advised to provide passage information to MARLO and UKMTO 48 hours prior to transiting through the Gulf of Aden.

1. MARLO: Email: marlo.bahrain@me.navy.mil or telephone +973 1785 3925.
2. UKMTO email: ukmto@eim.ae; Fax: +971 4 306 5710; or Telex: (51)210473
3. Masters should include the IMB Piracy Reporting Center (PRC) as part of the reporting procedures by mail to imbkl@icc-ccs.org.
4. A copy of the initial report should also be sent to The Liberian Administration at: security@liscr.com

Final reports should be sent after passing the Bub al-Mandeb Strait, if Westbound, and after crossing 55º30’ E longitude, if Eastbound.

3.3. What to Report

Subsequent to the report message described below vessels are requested to report their noon positions and speed, actual departure times and estimated times at ports and destination when outward bound from the defined area. All times are requested in UTC and the preferred method of communication is email.

3.2. Area of Coverage

The voluntary reporting scheme operated by UKMTO Dubai, covers the Red Sea, Indian Ocean north of 5ºS and the Persian Gulf. Ships are invited to report on passing the following reference points:

o Suez for ships entering or leaving the region via the Red Sea; o 5 ºS for ships entering the region via the Indian Ocean (South); o 78 º E for ships entering or leaving the region via the Indian Ocean (East).

3.3. Report Message

The initial report should contain the following information:

• Vessel Name: o Call Sign; o Flag;
• IMO Number;
• Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI); o Inmarsat telephone number, including satellite prefix;
• Email, Telex, and Fax numbers; o Ship Management Company;
• Type of Vessel; o Date/Time of current position, course and speed;
• Itinerary in the region with route way points and destination port(s);

The Administration’s setting of mandatory SECURITY LEVEL 2 remains in effect for all Liberian flagged vessels when operating off the Somali coast or transiting the Gulf of Aden. All Liberian vessels are required to advise the Administration of implementing change to the security level via email to security@liscr.com.

For more information please contact the Security Department at telephone + 1 703 251 2435 email security@liscr.com; LISCR Duty Officer + 1 703 963 6216 email: dutyofficer@liscr.com; * * *