MSB 11_2024 - Piracy Attack in the Gulf of Aden

22 March 2024

MARINE SECURITY BULLETIN – 11/2024

Dear Shipowners, Operators and Masters  

Subject: Piracy Attack in the Gulf of Aden

On March 21, 2024, at approximately 11:10 local time in location 14 28 72 N, 053 29 E a Liberian flagged vessel was approached by a small craft while transiting westbound through the Gulf of Aden. The boat, a skiff typical of the type often used by Somali pirates, closed to a distance of about 1 cable and altered its course to run parallel to the starboard side of the vessel. When the distance closed to a distance of about 80 meters, the armed guards on board fired 3 warning shots at the suspected pirates. The pirates returned fire and there was exchanged of gun fire between the suspected pirates and the armed guards. The suspected pirate boat quickly retreated in the same direction from which they approached. The vessel and the crew are safe with no injuries nor damage to the vessel.

Liberian flagged vessels transiting the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Northern Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea are to increase their security level to security level 3 and implement all protective measures in their Ship Security Plan. In addition, Liberian flagged vessels should avoid calling ports in Yemen. The decision to transit remains at the discretion of the Company, considering the number of recent targeted attacks on commercial ships. 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) and take advise from the collation forces operating in the area. 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 III. 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 Voluntary Reporting Area. 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.

In an emergency, vessels transiting the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea, should contact NAVCENT Battle Watch Phone: +973-1785-3879; Naval Cooperation and Guidance for Shipping (NCAGS) Primary Watch Floor Phone: +973-1785-0033, Contingency Mobile Phone: +973-39404523, Email: m-ba-cusnc-ncags@us.navy.mil.

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

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