Register Before Transiting High Risk Area
The Singapore Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) issued a circular advising masters of ships transiting or operating in the High Risk Area for piracy attacks in the West Indian Ocean to register with both the UK Maritime Trade Organization (UKMTO) and the Maritime Security Centre-Horn of Africa (MSCHOA). It also notes that the Vessel Movement Registration process with the MSCHOA has recently been amended to include an entry boundary to the North of the High Risk Area (23°N). Shipping Circular 10-2011 (5/9/11). (Source: Bryant’s Maritime News)
Combined Maritime Forces Responds to Pirate Attack
USNS Lewis and Clarke (T-AKE1) and USS Winston Churchill (DDG 81) assisted in the response to a suspected pirate attack on Chinese-flagged cargo ship M/V Tai An Kou, Nov. 20. M/V Tai An Kou reported to the Dubai-based UK Maritime Trade Organization that it was under attack by pirates in the North Arabian Sea at approximately 12 p.m. (Bahrain), while located about 100 nautical miles off the Omani coast. Lewis and Clark, received the distress call and, as the nearest vessel, proceeded to investigate. Upon arrival at the scene, the ship’s crew reported seeing pirates in a dhow and two skiffs firing upon Tai An Kou. The pirates then shot at the USNS Lewis and Clark which fired back in self-defense. No casualties were reported by the suspected pirates or Lewis and Clark crew. Winston S.
EU NAVFOR Stops Suspected Pirates Again
Late afternoon of Sunday 20th of September, a Bulk Carrier reported an approach of a skiff while in the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor in the Gulf of Aden. On board of the Bulk Carrier a unit of the Yemeni Navy was embarked. On sighting of these military personnel the skiff abandoned the approach and tried to flee as reported by the merchant vessel to the UK Maritime Trade Organization in Bahrain. UKMTO alerted other merchant vessels and the Counter Piracy Forces on Mercury, the EU introduced common counter piracy communication system.
