Successful attacks on vessels, the place asset safety is minimum, comply with widespread vulnerabilities, which are exploited by pirates. These are as follows:

· Low speed - (underneath sixteen knots)
· Minimal freeboard - (distance from the waterline to the freeboard deck of a entirely loaded ship)
· Inadequate organizing and implementation of techniques
· Inform of crew on board is reduced or there is no visual evidence of self-security measures
· Exactly where there is a gradual reaction by the vessel and crew

Generally the pirates will use two or more small boats capable of speeds in surplus of twenty knots, these are open up crafts typically named "skiffs" and they generally method the meant target from the port quarter or stern.

The use of a mom ship is utilized as a cellular logistics foundation that carries the products and personnel to empower assaults to happen further out to sea, some attacks have transpired at 600 NM off the shoreline.

The vast majority of assaults will happen at initial and previous mild, so at these times further vigilance is needed.

Before the Transit

Prior to a transit, the subsequent bodies need to be knowledgeable and incorporate

The Maritime Safety Centre - Horn of Africa (MSCHOA), which is the planning and coordination authority for EU Forces in the Gulf of Aden and the area off the Coastline of Somalia and the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Functions (UKMTO), which is in Dubai and is the initial point of contact for vessels in the area. The working day-to-day interface with Masters and the armed forces is the UKMTO.

Before transiting higher-danger places, the operator and Grasp need to carry out their own risk assessments to evaluate the probability of an attack by pirates. Flexsafe review of this threat assessment ought to identify measures to be taken to stop the vessel currently being taken by pirates.

Firm Disaster Management Techniques and measures to fulfill the threat inside of the location the vessel is transiting, should be addressed.

In get to best prepare a vessel, the subsequent organizing and training must be considered as a minimal, to handle dangers in opposition to assault:

· Sign-up the vessel with the authorities, UKMTO and MSCHOA
· Overview the ships security program
· Have out crew anti-piracy and security recognition training
· Appoint protection consultants for your transit, who have international maritime stability experience
· Ensure you have a great and efficient anti-piracy contingency prepare

Defensive Measures

The vessel need to assessment its security steps and procedures and take into account:

· Ensuring that the vessels routines are adjusted in advance to ensure that the crew are nicely rested just before they enter the high threat location
· Observing radio silence or making it possible for minimum use of radio gear
· Identify a protected room
· Securing entry to the bridge, motor place and crew cabins
· Provision of night time eyesight device(s) for look at personnel

Throughout the Transit

Masters ought to use the Worldwide Suggested Transit Corridor (IRTC). This is suggested by the naval authorities, westbound vessels use the northern part of the corridor and the eastbound vessels use the southern portion of the IRTC.

Vessels ought to remain inside of the IRTC at all moments and make certain that it keeps up with its team transit. The vessel should comply with international policies on lighting.

MSCHOA will recommend on the team transit timings which depart at various times and are discovered by the speed of the vessel, so if a vessel has a maximum speed of sixteen knots it need to contemplate joining a 14 knot team transit.

If you have employed a protection firm, they are there for tips and guidance and ought to also set up the techniques and measures for every vessel as acceptable. However, vessels ought to even now guarantee that they have extra crew as lookouts at vulnerable areas of the vessel particularly on the rear port quarter.

It is paramount that a vessel guards the crew from risk this implies that only vital crew perform ought to be executed on the deck while in the higher-danger areas.

If Attacked by Pirates

Stick to the ship's pre-geared up plan which would have been issued by your organization prior to the vessel getting into the higher danger region, activate the Ship Protection Notify Technique (SSAS), this will warn your Business Stability Officer (CSO).

Audio the emergency alarm and make PA bulletins in accordance with the ship's unexpected emergency plan, also make a Mayday contact on Ch sixteen and Ch eight which is monitored by naval ships in the location.

Guarantee that, if provision has been manufactured, all non-essential crew transfer to the citadel and continue being there until the all very clear is sounded.

Optimize the vessels velocity and carry out zigzag maneuvers while sustaining the vessels velocity normally pirates will give up the chase if they are not able to board in thirty-45 minutes.

If Boarded by Pirates

If you are unlucky sufficient to be boarded by pirates and prior to they acquire obtain to the bridge, notify UKMTO, MSCHOA and your Business if time permits. Provide no resistance as this may possibly guide to needless violence and hurt to the crew.

Remain serene and co-run with your new unwelcome guests and make certain that all the crew keep with each other in one location if achievable.

Your Company will commence the procedure of informing their insurance policies broker to commence negotiations for any release after a ransom demand is obtained, but be well prepared that this will be a long drawn out method.