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PIRACY RISK

MARITIME ADVISORY • 10 APRIL 2017

Vessel Attacked and Boarded in

Gulf of Aden

Piracy: On 8 April 2017, a bulk carrier was attacked and boarded by pirates from a skiff in approximate position 1402.08N,

05137.06E at 1310UTC. The vessel was reported as the OS 35 and is Tavula-flagged, owned by a Lebanese company. The crew

retreated to the citadel and sent a distress call. Indian and Chinese naval warships responded to the vessel. An Indian Navy

helicopter was dispatched and undertook aerial surveillance of the vessel to ascertain the location of the pirates. It is reported the

pirates departed the vessel at night. A boarding party from a nearby Chinese Navy ship were able to board the vessel. All crew

KEY POINTS

• The UKMTO has confirmed the attack and boarding of a vessel on 8 April 2017 in position 1402.08N, 05137.06E.

• Media has reported the vessel as OS35. All members of the crew remained in the citadel until Indian and Chinese naval

support arrived to assist the vessel in distress.

SITUATIONAL SUMMARY

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PIRACY RISK

MARITIME ADVISORY • 10 APRIL 2017

members were reported as safe. The vessel was reported by the UKMTO as back under control of the Master and company on 9

April 2017 at 0432UTC. Later the same day, a suspicious approach was reported on an MV in position 14.20N, 053.11E. A skiff

approached the vessel up to 1nm from their bow, with an additional four skiffs observed starboard at a distance of 0.5nm. Armed

persons were sighted on the skiffs. The onboard armed security team displayed weapons and the skiffs moved away.

On 13 March 2017, the UKMTO reported the hijacking of the tanker Aris 13. This was the first successful hijacking of a commercial

vessel by Somali pirates since 2012. From March onwards, a number of smaller dhows have also been reported hijacked by Somali

pirates, although specific details on these incidents are harder to confirm. Over the last month, there have been five reports of

Somali piracy, most of which have targeted smaller vulnerable vessels, those with a low freeboard and sail at slow speeds. Most

incidents targeting smaller vessels have been reported in the Gulf of Aden. The OS 35, is the first bulk carrier to be boarded by

Somali pirates in recent years. The last significant attack on a commercial vessel occurred in October 2016, when the chemical

tanker CPO Korea, was attacked 300nm off the Somali coast.

There are varying factors behind the increase in vessel attacks. For some time, there has been a concern of growing complacency

towards security measures on vessels transiting the High Risk Area. The international naval patrols had been an effective measure

in reducing incidents of vessel hijackings. However, questions were raised over continued stability in the region after NATO

announced the closure of Operation Ocean Shield at the end of 2016. Issues such as illegal fishing, continue to be a motivating

factor for Somali pirates, whose local communities continue to suffer high unemployment and famine conditions. International

navies patrolling the High Risk Area have a primary mandate to counter piracy activity, and have limited scope to address ongoing

illegal fishing off the coast of Somalia.

Countering illegal fishing falls under the responsibility of local Somali authorities, who maintain limited maritime patrolling

capabilities, particularly in provinces such as Galmudug. Corruption amongst Somali officials is a concern as there have been some

reports of foreign fishing vessels gaining permits illegally. The anti-piracy chief of Puntland province was fired from office after

making public statements regarding this issue, after the release of the Aris 13.

SECURITY ADVICE

Vessels transiting the High-Risk Area should maintain a heightened level of surveillance. This report of a vessel boarding, and

other hijackings before it, demonstrates a real threat to the safety and security of crews and vessels in the area. It is advised all

vessels transiting the HRA to proceed with extreme caution. Vessels should ensure all BMP4 measures are in place. Solace

Global advise, and have implemented, 24-hour anti-piracy watches when transiting the Bab El Mandeb Strait and the Gulf of

Aden.

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