Piracy in Somalia

Piracy is a problem for sailors at several locations around the world but especially dangerous is the Somalian coastline. All ships advised to keep a distance of more than 200 nm from the coast and still there is reports of piracy attacks on ships at 180 and 210 nm out.

I know that cruising sailors often get together in a flotilla and travel these waters together - sometimes even under close supervision from the US navy, who is present in this area.

Here's some information:

SOMALI COAST

Due to a recent resurgence of piracy off the coast of Somalia, MARLO repeats its previous advisory, and urges ALL VESSELS to REMAIN AT LEAST 200 NM OFF the eastern coast of Somalia.

Recent Events:

• February 25, 2007: Merchant vessel hijacked off Somali Coast. Vessel released after 40 days upon payment of ransom to the Somali pirates.
• May 3, 2007: Merchant vessel hijacked approximately 12 miles north of Mogadishu. As of May 17, 2007, vessel remained hijacked by Somali pirates.
• May 14, 2007: Merchant vessel evaded a piracy attack approximately 180 nautical miles off Somalia.
• April 1, 2007: Merchant vessel hijacked shortly after arrival in Port Mogadishu anchorage. Vessel released after approximately 5 days upon payment of ransom to the Somali pirates.
• May 15, 2007: Two fishing trawlers hijacked by Somali pirates approximately 210 nautical miles off Somalia. As of May 17 2007, the fishing trawlers remained hijacked.

Although there are Coalition Forces operating in the area, they cannot be everywhere monitoring every ship that passes the coast of Somalia. The Coalition Forces cannot stop these pirate attacks on their own. They need your help to effectively deal with the pirates. You can help yourselves by keeping a safe standoff distance from Somalia, and you can help Coalition Forces by informing them of any suspicious activity that you may observe.

· Commercial vessels calling on ports in Somalia still face somewhat higher risks than those transiting sea lanes off the coast.

· Fishing vessels may also face a higher risk than vessels transiting the coast, due to their smaller size and their closer proximity to the coast.

Please monitor VHF channel 16 for advisories and report suspicious activity immediately via VHF channel 16.

And more:

Although the frequency of pirate attacks off the Somali coast has diminished, they are still occurring. Below we have provided some information not previously provided, as well as some reminders from earlier advisories.

Pirates have operated at night and have cued in on ship's lights. Vessels traveling off of the coast of Somalia should use the minimal lighting that will ensure compliance with International Rules of the Road and safe navigation practices.

History of attacks suggests that: primary danger area is between latitude 0200N and 0400N, secondary danger area between 0400N and 0800N. Recommend increase in vigilant watch standers when transiting these latitudes off Somalia.

Merchants should keep their Automated Identification System (AIS) on during transits.

Merchants should keep their radar on, and should open the distance when they detect any approaching vessels on radar.

The pirates have used small boats / skiffs as well as captured dhows and fishing vessel as motherships to serve as a floating base to launch pirate attacks. Avoid all close approaches from any small boats, fishing vessels or dhows.

The Pirates have operated as far as 210 NM from the Somali Coastline by employing a mothership to stage from.

It is believed that in earlier operations, the pirates used distress calls to attract good-natured mariners to the area of attack, they could return to this tactic.

Vessels with a freeboard greater than ten feet (3.5 meters) have a much greater chance of successfully escaping a piracy attempt.

Vessels with a minimum 8-inch (20 cm) wide lip on their freeboard have a much greater chance of successfully escaping a piracy attempt. A wider lip prevents the pirate's ladder from being able to hook onto the freeboard.

Vessels that rapidly increase speed have a better record of escaping hijackings. Avoid maneuvering that will decrease speed. Choose speed over aggressive maneuvering.

Several vessels have successfully used fire hoses to repel pirate attacks.

The cruise ship "Seabourn Spirit" incorporated an acoustic hailing device in their successful efforts of repelling the pirate attack on that vessel.