Unitel Marine Services, international maritime security consultants since 1978, are providing this urgent notification to maritime vessels transiting the Indian Ocean / Gulf of Aden waters since the events surrounding the pirate seizure and release of the Maersk vessel Alabama. Because of the likelihood of additional pirate attacks and the published threat of more violent attacks, the merchant shipping industry should use extreme caution in transiting the Indian Ocean from locations as far south as 15 degrees S and 80 degrees W longitude as pirate operations are using more “mother ships” for greater coverage.
This encompasses a huge ocean area most of which is outside the Maritime Security Patrol Area (MSPA) and may present additional risks to merchant ships as naval force protection vessels may be unable to promptly respond to distress calls.
Unitel is currently establishing a more robust armed escort vessel service using experienced former military combat experts. Unitel will provide close escort support to a client ship the entire length of its voyage with 135 ft fast escort vessels.
(www.unitel.com/radar.htm)