MARITIME LIAISON OFFICE
BAHRAIN |
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Essential Contact Information
Guidance Documents
22 DEC 2011 IRTC Convoy Schedules and Associated Points of Contact
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General guidance for vessels transiting high-risk piracy areas
*The following information has been coordinated with UKMTO and MSCHOA.
*It is at the absolute discretion of the Master to adopt appropriate measures to avoid, deter or delay piracy attacks in this region. Furthermore, not all of the following may be applicable for each ship. Therefore, as part of the risk analysis an assessment is recommended to determine which guidance is most suitable for the ship.
- Prior to transit
- Operators and owners should register with the EU NAVFOR Somalia at http://www.mschoa.org and review the counter piracy recommendations and guidance given and pass appropriate information to their vessels operating (or due to operate) in the region. The Gulf of Aden Group Transits (GOA GT) can be found here.
- All ships navigating within the Gulf of Aden are strongly urged to use the International Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC) and follow the GOA GT if their speed is below 18 knots but greater than 10 knots.
- Vessels faster than 18 knots should plan to transit between 47ºE and 49 ºE during the hours of darkness
- Vessels less than 10 knots should contact UKMTO for routing guidance.
- Vessels should establish contact with UKMTO and MARLO, and high risk vessels can request escorts.
- During transit
- Send position reports regularly (recommended every 6 hours) to UKMTO at ukmto@eim.ae and MARLO at marlo.bahrain@me.navy.mil.
- It is recommended that Automatic identification System (AIS) is turned on, but only transmits ship’s identity, position, course, speed, navigational status and safety related information.
- Maintain a strict anti-piracy watch and ensure all shipboard anti-piracy precautions are in force.
- If Attacked
- Follow the ship’s pre-prepared contingency plan.
- Activate the Emergency Communication Plan/Call in order of priority numbers displayed under essential contact information
- Activate the Ship Security Alert System (SSAS)
- If the Master has exercised his right to turn off the Automatic Identification System (AIS), this should be turned on once the ship comes under pirate attack.
- Sound emergency alarm and make ‘Pirate Attack’ PA announcement in accordance with the ship’s emergency plan.
- Make ‘Mayday’ call on VHF Ch 16 and backup Ch 08 (both are monitored by naval units). Send a distress message via the DSC (Digital Selective Calling) system and Inmarsat-C as applicable
- Maximize ship speed. In the Gulf of Aden, evidence to date from failed attacks is that the pirates will give up if unable to board within 30 45 minutes. If you can buy time until the military forces can arrive, this often leads the pirates to abort their attack.
- Prevent skiffs from closing by altering course and increasing speed where possible. Pirates have great difficulty boarding a ship that is:
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Maritime Liaison Office (MARLO) Bahrain
Core Working Hours: Sunday - Thursday
0800-1700
Daytime Tel: +973-17-85-3925, Fax: +973-17-85-3930 E-mail: marlo.bahrain@me.navy.mil
Address: Maritime Liaison Office, Box 116,
Manama, Bahrain
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