MSB 12/12/2023 -Security Incidents in the Gulf of Aden

Dear Shipowners, Operators and Masters of Liberian Flagged Vessels,  

Subject: Security Incidents in the Gulf of Aden  

11 December 2023

This bulletin is to notify you of a suspicious activity in the Gulf of Aden.

On December 11, 2023 at Lat 12-22.66N Long 043-50.14E a Liberian flagged vessel was approached by two high-speed skiffs carrying three persons each. One of the skiffs with an orange hull approached the vessel’s port quarter to attract attention from the crew. At the same time another black hulled skiff approached abeam on the port side. When the black skiff was close within 150 meters, the master instructed the security team to fire 3 warning shots in the direction of the skiff. After the warning shots, the skiffs changed their courses and sailed away from the vessel.

The Liberian Registry encourages all vessels transiting the Red Sea to report to the UKMTO and register with the Maritime Security Centre for the Horn of Africa (MSCHOA) in accordance with industry BMP (Best Management Practices). Best Management Practices 5 (BMP5) will continue to provide the necessary guidance for shipping to ensure threat and risk assessments are developed for every voyage to mitigate the risks presented by remaining security threats in the region. The shipping industry will continue to monitor and advise on maritime security threats to assist the safe transit of vessels and the seafarers. 

When operating within territorial seas or calling ports within the previously defined HRA as shown on UKHO Chart Q6099, Masters shall set the vessel security level to the level set by the port State authority but may implement security measures in excess of the security level set by the port authorities based on their assessment of the conditions in the port. When operating outside territorial seas or ports within the previously defined HRA shown on UKHO chart Q6099, all Liberian flagged vessels shall operate at security level II. All security level changes should be reported directly to the Flag Administration by the Master via email security@liscr.com.

The Liberian Administration strongly recommends that Vessels Owners, Characters, Operators and Ships Masters continue to carry out pre-voyage threat and risk assessments to consider the latest maritime security information from organizations supporting the VRA. In addition, Liberian flagged vessels may consider using a Private Maritime Security Company (PMSC) to provide additional armed or unarmed security personnel while transiting the high-risk area.  Authorized Private Maritime Security Companies. 

Contact MSCHOA prior to transiting the Western Indian Ocean, the Somali Basin, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman and the Red Sea. 

The contact details of MSCHOA are: 

Maritime Security Centre – Horn of Africa (MSCHOA) 

Email postmaster@mschoa.org  

Telephone +44 1923 958545 +44 1923 958700 

Fax +44 1923 958520 Website www.mschoa.org 

When transiting the Western Indian Ocean, the Somali Basin, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman and Red Sea. 

Register their vessels with UKMTO 

Email: watchkeepers@ukmto.org and ukmto@eim.ae  

Phone: +44 - 2392-222060, +971-50-552-3215  Fax +44 1923 958520 

Please keep LISCR’s Security Department informed of any security incidents at: 

Office of the Senior Deputy Commissioner of Maritime Affairs  Republic of Liberia 

22980 Indian Creek Drive, Suite 200 Dulles, Virginia 20166 USA 

D: +1 571 495 5944 / O: +1 703 790 3434 / F: +1 703 790 5655  Email: Security@liscr.com   www.liscr.com