Recent developments in the Gulf of Aden, Somalia, Arabian Sea, and Indian Ocean point to a concerning surge in maritime security threats, particularly piracy and hijacking incidents. This article addresses the escalating risks, recent hijacking events, and crucial measures for ships navigating these high-risk waters, says an article published on westpandi website.
Summary
- Recent Hijacking Incidents: December 2023 saw the first successful hijacking by Somali pirates in six years. Other incidents include the hijacking of a bulk carrier, potential pirate activity in the Somali Basin, the hijacking of five shows near Somalia’s coastline, and a recent boarding of another bulk carrier off the coast of Eyl, Somalia.
- Historical Scope Of Somali Piracy: Somali piracy has historically affected a vast region, from the southern Red Sea, Bab El Mandeb, and the Gulf of Aden to the Indian Ocean and various coastal regions. Pirates use automatic weapons, RPGs, and skiffs launched from hijacked vessels.
- Security Measures For Ships: Ships in these high-risk waters are advised to implement enhanced maritime security measures, including strict adherence to Best Management Practices (BMP5).
- Vessel Hardening Measures: Shipmasters and owners are urged to prioritize vessel hardening measures before entering high-risk areas. Continuous vigilance is crucial, with a 24-hour visual and radar watch during transits.
- Crew Preparedness: The ship’s citadel should be well-prepared and fortified for crew safety during threats or emergencies. Crews should undergo training to distinguish between potential threats and local fishermen.
Recent Hijacking Incidents
December 2023 witnessed the first successful hijacking by Somali pirates in six years. Subsequent incidents include the hijacking of a bulk carrier, potential pirate activity in the Somali Basin, the hijacking of five shows near Somalia’s coastline, and a recent boarding of another bulk carrier off the coast of Eyl, Somalia.
Historical Scope Of Somali Piracy
Historically, Somali piracy has affected a vast region, spanning from the southern Red Sea, Bab El Mandeb, and the Gulf of Aden to the Indian Ocean and various coastal regions. Pirates employ automatic weapons, RPGs, and skiffs launched from hijacked vessels.
Security Measures For Ships
Ships operating in these high-risk waters are advised to implement enhanced maritime security measures, including strict adherence to Best Management Practices (BMP5).
Vessel Hardening Measures
Shipmasters and owners are urged to prioritize vessel hardening measures before entering high-risk areas, fortifying vessels against potential threats. Continuous vigilance is crucial, with a 24-hour visual and radar watch during transits.
Crew Preparedness
Ensuring the ship’s citadel is well-prepared and fortified is essential for crew safety during threats or emergencies. Crews should undergo training to distinguish between potential threats and local fishermen to avoid misunderstandings.
Collaborative Reporting Efforts
In a collaborative effort to combat piracy, vessels are encouraged to promptly report suspicious activities to relevant reporting centers, contributing to collective efforts to address and mitigate evolving piracy threats.
Visible Deterrence Measures
Ships can enhance security perception by having visible security rounds, securing doors and hatches, maintaining well-lit conditions without obstructing navigation lights, and posting extra lookouts.
Surveillance Equipment
Installing surveillance equipment, such as CCTV cameras and motion sensors, aids in detecting suspicious activity. However, it should not be relied upon as the sole means of protection, and ships should employ multiple anti-piracy measures.
Safe Navigation Practices
Best practices for safe navigation, including maintaining a safe distance from suspicious vessels, avoiding piracy hotspots, and staying in communication with local authorities, are essential to reduce the risk of incidents.
Non-lethal Measures
Ships can deploy non-lethal measures like water cannons and loudspeakers to deter potential attackers, buying time for the crew to respond and reach designated safe areas within the ship.
Crew Training
Crew members should undergo training in anti-piracy tactics, participate in drills, establish communication protocols, and understand their roles in the event of an attack. Training should cover identifying and reporting potential threats to relevant authorities.
Differentiating Recent Incidents
Recent incidents in the Indian Ocean should be distinguished from attacks in Yemen, the Gulf of Aden, the Red Sea, and Bab El Mandeb, as they are unrelated to piracy. Ships in these waters can mitigate risks by implementing established anti-piracy measures.
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Source: westpandi.com
