MSB 12/05/2023 - Security Incidents in Red Sea and Gulf of Aden

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Dear Shipowners, Operators and Masters of Liberian Flagged Vessels, 

Subject: Security Incidents in Red Sea and Gulf of Aden 

December 2023

This bulletin is to notify you of the continued attacks in the Red Sea.

Multiple missile and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) attacks emanating from Yemen impacted the Southern Red Sea / Bab el Mandeb (BAM) region throughout the day on December 3, 2023, affecting at least three commercial vessels. See United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO)-IO 457 through 461 and subsequent warnings at https://www.ukmto.org/indianocean/recent-incidents

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