Maritime Liaison Office News

The U.S. Navy Maritime Liaison Office in Bahrain (MARLO) advises that on or about 1300 UTC yesterday (29 April) the Master of a motor vessel reported being approached by two skiffs in the Gulf of Aden, near position 12.03 North - 045.37 East. Reportedly, one of the skiffs had seven personnnel onboard when they closed within 2NM from the vessel. Crew from the vessel reported seeing some type of weapon from the personnel onboard the skiff. The armed security team on the vessel showed their weapons and the skiffs moved away in a southerly direction. Procedures IAW BMP4 were conducted. It is recommended vessels within the vicinity of this alert operate with a heightened level of security and report any suspicious activity to MSCHOA, UKMTO or MARLO.

The U.S. Navy Maritime Liaison Office in Bahrain (MARLO) has advised that on or about 7 a.m. UTC on April 17, the Master of a motor vessel reported being approached within 150 meters on the port beam by five Yemeni type skiffs at 20.5 knots, position 12.24.00 N - 043.42.00 E, in the Bab El Mandeb (BAM). Procedures IAW BMP4 were conducted and one flare was fired as the skiffs moved toward the vessel, GAC said it its daily report. The alarm was sounded and fire hoses activated. The armed security team (AST) sighted a ladder on one of the skiffs but it moved away when the AST showed their weapons. A second flare was fired which resulted in the approach being aborted. On or about 8:50 a.m.

The U.S. Navy Maritime Liaison Office in Bahrain (MARLO) has advised that on or about 12:30 UTC on 14 April, the Master of an oil tanker reported being approached by a white-blue skiff in position 12.25.00 North - 043.43.00 East, in the Bab El Mandeb (BAM). Seven pirates were reportedly on the skiff armed with an RPG moved toward the oil tanker. Procedures IAW BMP4 were conducted including sounding the alarm and activating fire hoses. The armed security team (AST) noticed a ladder on the skiff and it moved away when the AST showed their weapons. Source IMB. According to GAC, it is recommended vessels within the vicinity of this alert operate with a heightened level of security and report any suspicious activity to MSCHOA, UKMTO or MARLO.

The U.S. Navy Maritime Liaison Office in Bahrain has advised that the Master of a merchant vessel reported being approached by a suspicious skiff north-east of Socotra Island, in position 13.14.20 N/056.34.10 E on or about 1530 UTC on Saturday (5 April).   The skiff closed within 2 NM of the vessel. Procedures IAW BMP4 were successfully conducted, and a coalition vessel in the area safely escorted the vessel until the skiff moved out of range.   It is recommended vessels in the vicinity operate with a heightened level of security and report any suspicious activity to MSCHOA, UKMTO or MARLO.   GAC

Vessels report potential surveillance by unknown entities while in transit of the Gulf of Oman, Strait of Hormuz & Arabian Gulf. In one recent case, a vessel was asked its crew complement and master's name, purportedly by a named vessel that was in fact operating elsewhere under the new name it has borne since 2011. ONI [the Office of Naval Intelligence] cannot assess at this time whether the queries originated ashore or from vessels within the Gulf, but none is known to have been made by the vessel to which it was attributed. Although these queries are not in themselves hostile, they are potential evidence of enhanced surveillance and could be a prelude to more specific interference; mariners are advised to be cautious about responding to them.

The FBI's involvement in the maritime domain is a result of existing US Law, Executive Orders, Presidential Decision Directives (PDD) 39, 62, & 63, and Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD) 5 to include a few. Specifically, the FBI has a lead role for operational and investigative response to a terrorist threat or incident, as well as coordinating the activities of other members of the law enforcement community to detect, prevent, pre-empt, and disrupt terrorist attacks against the United States. However, the task is monumental and the FBI’s maritime experience is limited. The FBI is currently focusing on developing liaison relationships within the commercial cruise and cargo lines…

Military Sealift Command dry cargo/ammunition ship USNS Sacagawea Boatswain's Mate Clarence Johnson (far left) and Medical Services Officer Paul Manning (third from right) helped rescue 10 Iraqi mariners (pictured) from the sinking coastal tanker MV Nadi February 22 in the Central Arabian Gulf. Military Sealift Command dry cargo/ammunition ship USNS Sacagawea rescued 10 Iraqi citizens from a sinking 250-ft. coastal tanker in the Central Arabian Gulf Friday, February 22. The Bahrain…

The U.S. Maritime Liaison Office (MARLO) in Bahrain issued an Advisory stating that the coalition leadership in Iraq is in the process of establishing procedures for detention and possible confiscation of ships, and for legal action against the participants, involved in smuggling oil from Iraq. Only oil legally purchased from the State Oil Marketing Organization (SOMO) is authorized for export. Any ship transporting illegal Iraqi oil is subject to seizure and detention by coalition naval forces. The vessel may be subject to forfeiture in accordance with Iraqi law. Legal action may also be taken against ship owners, operators, and others involved in the smuggling. MARLO Advisory Bulletin 24-03 Source: HK Law

The U.S. Maritime Liaison Office (MARLO) issued an Advisory stating that an exclusion zone has been established in Iraqi waters within 2,000 meters of the Khawr al Amaya and al Basrah offshore oil terminals. In addition, the right of innocent passage has been temporarily suspended in the same waters. Only oil tankers and support vessels authorized by terminal operators or coalition maritime security forces are allowed to enter the exclusion zones. Vessels attempting to enter the exclusion zones without authorization may be subject to defensive measures, including use of deadly force. Warning zones have also been established extending 3,000 meters from the outer edge of the two oil terminals. MARLO Advisory 06-04 (HK Law).

The U.S. Maritime Liaison Office (MARLO) in Bahrain issued an Advisory reminding shippers and owners and operators of ships transporting cargo to Iraqi ports that HYDROPAC 205/2002 and 206/2002 remain in effect. In particular, Coalition boarding teams have noted an increase in the number of shipments not conforming to the requirement for unhindered access to cargo for at-sea inspection. Vessels not in compliance with applicable requirements may be denied access to Iraqi ports. MARLO Advisory 10-04 (HK Law).