MSB 14/2024 - Security Incident of the coast of Somalia

24 May 2024

MARINE SECURITY BULLETIN – 14/2024

Dear Shipowners, Operators and Masters of Liberian Flagged Vessels, 

Subject: Security Incident of the coast of Somalia

On the morning of May 23, 2024, at position Lat 01-16.43 S, Long 051-05.46 E a Liberian flagged vessel proceeding north with 17 crew was attacked and boarded by pirates approximately 401 nautical miles southeast of Mogadishu, Somalia. The ship was immediately stopped, and the Master instructed the crew to seek refuge in the citadel, while he took refuge in one of the crew cabins equipped with a satellite phone and was able to stay connected with the vessel’s owner throughout the incident. During the attack, the Master sustained a gun-shot injury, but is reported to be in stable condition. The crew reported that the two skiffs used in the attack were deployed from a mother ship operating in that area.

EUNAVFOR ATALANTA directed a warship in the area to assist the crew of the vessel. A helicopter was deployed in the meantime to fly over the boarded vessel and after verifying that the pirates had left the vessel, was able to secure the vessel and assist the Master and crew.

The Liberian Registry encourages all vessels transiting the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and Arabian 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 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 conduct 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.

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: +973-3940-4523, 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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