NATO Weekly Piracy Assessment
Reporting period: 29 September - 05 October 2011 (Updated: 06 October).
- Overview:
During the reporting period (29 Sep – 5 Oct 11) there were two incidents of suspicious activity and one attack in the Gulf of Aden (GOA), one incident of suspicious activity, one disruption and two attacks in the Arabian Sea and one approach, three attacks and a disruption in the central Somali Basin. Also, a French woman was abducted from Manda Island off the Kenyan coast. Weather conditions improve across the entire area, and pirate activity is expected to rise in a similar pattern to last year. Pirate related activity ashore continues to increase in preparation of Pirate Attack Groups (PAGs), some of which are believed to be already at sea, continue.
- Southern Red Sea (SRS)/Bab Al Mandeb (BAM)
Although no incidents were reported this week, favourable conditions in this area for small boats continue to make this region an area of concern.
- Gulf of Aden/Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC)
Within the GOA, piracy can occur at any time. There were two incidents of suspicious activity and one attack in the GOA, indicating the presence of pirates in the area. Pirate skiffs may be blending into local fishing activity/traffic; thus this area remains a high threat region.
- Arabian Sea/Greater Somali Basin
This region saw the majority of this week's pirate activities. In total, eight separate incidents of possible piracy. All vessels managed to evade capture, but these activities give a clear signal that piracy is in full force. The abduction of a French woman from Manda Island (off of Kenya) shows that pirates are expanding their possible targets. Additionally one suspicious skiff and one whaler PAG were detected at sea off the Kenyan border. Further preparation of PAGs is ongoing along the entire Somali coast.
- Counter Piracy Guidance Update
With the increased activity levels off the coast of the Somali/Kenya border, Masters are advised to proceed in these areas with extreme caution. Extra vigilance, implementation and adherence to BMP and self-protection measures remain essential for all areas. To assist counter piracy efforts ships masters are highly encouraged to provide detailed and descriptive reports of suspicious vessel activity, in particular the provision of photographs and position details, whenever possible.
