Somali Pirates: NATO's Recent Updates

NSC | Daily Piracy Update:

A merchant vessel was attacked by pirates in the Gulf of Oman (GOO), 2435N 05734E, at 1540 hrs UTC on 15 Dec. All crew were able to take refuge in vessel's citadel. Pirates were not able to penetrate the citadel and did not remain on board. This vessel avoided being hijacked and is now safe. This Pirate Action Group (PAG) is assumed to still be in the area.

On 15 Dec at 0420 hrs UTC, in the GOO (2409N 05904E), a merchant vessel was approached by a white skiff with 5-6 persons on board. The skiff had been launched from a mother dhow. The skiff came within 0.2 nm of the vessel and ladders and weapons were reported. The vessel's armed security team fired warning shots and the skiff moved away. The vessel is now safe. This may have been the same PAG as the recent incident above, as both these incidents occurred in the same area on the same day.

In addition to the incidents above, the NATO Shipping Centre has identified two other areas of concern on our PAG map. One is in the Indian Ocean, far off the Somali Coast. The other is in the northern Arabian Sea just off the central coastal area of Oman. Reports have indicated a possible increase in pirate activity in these two areas. This second area of concern may be related to the two incidents above as they are all in the northern Arabian Sea/GOO.

Despite deterioration in conditions associated with the approaching Northeast monsoon, sea states remain conducive to piracy operations. Merchant vessels are advised to remain vigilant throughout the High Risk Area (HRA) and ensure that Self Protection Measures are in place, as PAGs continue to operate in the area.

Recently, PAGs have also made “soft-approaches” on merchant ships transiting the HRA. A skiff will often approach a vessel to probe the reactivity of an embarked security team (if present). If they elicit no response, the pirates may proceed with an attack, sometimes accompanied by a second skiff. This practice would seem to allow pirates to avoid needless expenditures of ammunition and personal risk without a significant probability of success.

A large number of fishing vessels also operate in the South Red Sea (SRS), the Bab-Al-Mandeb (BAM) and up to 50 nm off the west coast of India. Fishing vessels may approach a merchant ship to maximize fishing opportunities or to safeguard fishing nets. Fishing off India is generally carried out using long lines by mechanized or single-hull boats which typically have outboard motors and carry 4-6 crew members. Masters are requested to ensure that they distinguish between fishing vessels and potential pirates; fishermen may carry small arms.

Somali Pirates: NATO Look at Piracy in High Risk Area

As the Somali pirate operating area enters the SW Monsoon period, a nice chart from the NATO Shipping Center: Piracy statistics:

The statistics presented on this page are for information purposes only . . .

Click on image to enlarge

In short, expect a slow down for the next couple of months due to weather, armed guards and the "preventive" strikes on pirate "mother ships."

Somali Pirates: Tanker Hijacked

Reported as Tanker Operator:Piracy returns - Suezmax hijacked:

Pirates boarded Dynacom’s Liberian flag Suezmax ‘Smyrni’ on Thursday some 430 miles northeast of Yemen’s SocotraIsland, Jacqueline Sherriff, a EUNAVFOR spokeswoman confirmed by phone to Bloomberg. “They are on board the vessel with guns,” Ody Valatsas, Dynacom Tankers Management chartering manager, said by email, declining to comment

NATO Shipping Center Map

further. The vessel was laden with 135,000 tonnes of crude oil reportedly loaded at a Turkish loading terminal. The seized tanker is the largest vessel to be hijacked since February 2011, according to Sherriff and the IMB.

NATO Shipping Center report:

Alert 040/12 - Pirated10 /05/2012 09:30 15.97 61.05 Pirated Pirated At 0930 UTC on 10 MAY 2012 a merchant vessel was reported under attack by 2 skiffs in position 15 58 N 061 03 E. ***Vessel is now confirmed as PIRATED***

ShipSpotting.com

© Igor Torgachkin

Somali Pirates: Possible Hijacking

NATO Shipping Center reports a possible ship hijacking at their Alert Details:

Alert 012/12 08/02/2012 14:40 13.53 58.6 Attacked Alert 012/2012 - Vessel Attacked, Suspected Hijacked Alert number 012 / 2012.
***Vessel suspected hijacked***
At 1438 UTC / 08 FEB 12 / a merchant vessel suspected Hijacked by pirates was in position 13 32 N 058 36 E.

And reports of a hijacking (could be the same one) here:

Photo from Neptune Marine press release

Neptune Maritime Security received information via credible channels that the vessel, MV FREE GODDESS (IMO 9107045), has been successfully hijacked by Somali pirates. According to the report Neptune received, the Liberian-flagged bulk carrier came under attack on February 7, 2012, in position 16.03N 062.26E (approximately 520nm NE of Socotra Island) at around 1500 UTC from an unknown number of pirates. *** The last known positional data on the Free Goddess is that she has dramatically altered course and her last recorded position was 11.59N 056.09E at 090533ZFEB12, approximately 110nm south east of Socotra Island.

Somali Pirates: Still Out There Attacking

Latest unsuccessful Somali pirate attack effort as reported by the fine folks at the NATO Shipping Center in All Alerts:

Alert 007 16/01/2012 08:15
15.03 58.23 Attacked Alert 007 - Pirate Attack A piracy alert has been raised by the Maritime Security Centre.
Date of alert : January 16, 2012
Alert type : Pirate Attack
Location : 15 02 N 058 14 E
Latitude : 15 02 N
Longitude : 058 14 E
---WARNING WARNING WARNING---
Alert number 007 / 2012.
At 0814 UTC 16 JAN a merchant vessel is currently under attack by 1 white skiffs in position 15 02 N 058 14 E. Vessel is SAFE.

Map is portion of NATO SC Alert Map. My arrow.

Somali Pirates: The First Week's Work

So, in addition to being somewhat thwarted by the re-capture of pirated mother ships by U.S. and Danish units and releasing ships after collecting ransom, Somali pirates have been taking to sea in areas somewhat sheltered from the heavy winds and waves. NATO's Shipping Center kindly provides us with a map and a summary of pirate activity since the beginning of the year at NSC | All Alerts:

NSC 2/12 06/01/2012 14:15 12.43 43.8 Suspicious Activity NSC 2/12 - Suspicious activity A vessel has reported seeing suspicious activity in the vicinity of the Bab al Mandeb. 2 skiffs with 6 persons on board were seen acting suspiciously.
***This vessels is Safe***
*** The Pirate Attack Group is still in the region***
This is in the same area as Alert 001, Alert 002, and NSC 1/12.

Masters are advised to proceed with extreme caution while transiting this area.
***
ALERT 003/2012 05/01/2012 04:45 22.45 60.98 Attacked ALERT 003/2012 --WARNING WARNING WARNING--- Alert number 003 / 2012.
At 0446 UTC 04 JAN 2012 a merchant vessel was attack by 1 skiff with 6 POB in position 22 27 N 060 59 E.
**This vessel managed to evade hijack***
*** Vessel is SAFE***
The Pirate action group is still in the area.
***
Alert 002/2012 04/01/2012 08:20 12.28 44.16 Attacked Alert 002/2012
A piracy alert has been raised by the Maritime Security Centre.
Date of Alert: 04 Jan 2012
Location: [002] GULF OF ADEN 12 17 N 044 10 E
Latitude: 12 17 N
Longitude: 044 10 E
Alert Details:
---WARNING WARNING WARNING---
Alert number 002 / 2012.
At 0822 UTC a merchant vessel was reported under attack by a skiff in position 12 17 N 044 10 E.
***This vessel managed to evade hijack***

The Pirate Attack group is still in the area.
***
ALERT 001/2012 04/01/2012 04:20 13.16 49.2 Attacked Alert 001/2012
A piracy alert has been raised by the Maritime Security Centre.
Date of Alert: 04 Jan 2012 Location: [001] Gulf of Aden 13 10 N 049 12 E
Latitude: 13 10 N Longitude: 049 12 E
Alert Details:
--WARNING WARNING WARNING---
Alert number 001 / 2012.
At 0200 UTC a merchant vessel was attacked by 1 skiff in position 13 10 N 049 12 E.

**This vessel managed to evade hijack***
*** Vessel is SAFE***
The Pirate Attack group is still in the area.
***
NSC 001/12 04/01/2012 03:45 12.12 44.18 Approached WARNING - SUSPICIOUS APPROACHES There have been reports of 4 skiffs in the Gulf of Aden/ Bab al Mandeb region. This Pirate Attack Group has attacked 1 vessel, and approached 3 vessels.
Approaches occured:
0345Z in vicinity of 1205N 04423E
0753Z in vicinity of 12 14N 044 11E
0817Z in vicinity of 12 17N 044 10E
***These vessels are Safe***
*** The Pirate Attack Group is still in the region***

Masters are advised to proceed with extreme caution while transiting this area.

Small boats ops are easier when the weather is good and the WeatherOnline.co.uk maps show areas where small boat operations may be more likely, if the pirate mother ships can make it to the areas (red circles are my guesses - feel free to make your own):

Somali Pirates: Early report of ship grabbed off Oman

NATO Shipping Center Map of hijacking off Oman

 Pirates hijack Italian ship with 18 on board off Oman:

Pirates hijacked an Italian cargo ship with six Italians, five Ukrainians and seven Indians on board at dawn on Tuesday . . .

NATO Shipping Center report:

A piracy alert has been raised by the Maritime Security Centre.

Date of alert : December 27, 2011
Alert type : Pirate Attack
Location : [249] ARABIAN SEA 18 18N 057 36E
Latitude : 18 18N
Longitude : 057 36E

Alert number 250 / 2011.

Reference previous Alert number 249 / 2011.

At 0403 UTC a merchant vessel was reported under attack by pirates in position 18 18 N 057 36 E.

***THIS VESSEL HAS BEEN HIJACKED***

Somali Pirate Attacks and Warnings (to 30 Nov 11)

NATO Shipping Center Map, my arrows. Numbers refer to Alerts/Warnings

From NATO Shipping Center at All Alerts:

Alert 243 / 201130/11/2011 14:05 12.3 44.05 Attacked
Attacked A piracy alert has been raised by the Maritime Security Centre.

Date of alert : November 30, 2011
Alert type : Attempted Attack
Location : [243] GULF OF ADEN 1218N 04403E
Latitude : 12 18 N
Longitude : 044 03 E

---WARNING WARNING WARNING---

Alert number 243 / 2011.
***
NSC 15/1130/11/2011 10:55 11.98 45.11 Suspicious Activity
Suspicious Approach
At 1053Z 30 Nov 11, Merchant Vessel reported a suspicious approach in vicinity of 1159N 04507E, by 3 skiffs with 2/3 POB each skiff. Two skiffs approached from the stern closing to within 1nm and one from ahead closing to within 2nm. The skiffs did not attack and broke off and moved away from the vessel. The vessel is safe.

Alert 242 - WARNING WARNING WARNING29/11/2011 08:20 15.01 56.6
Attacked Alert 242 - WARNING WARNING WARNING
A piracy alert has been raised by the Maritime Security Centre.
Date of alert : November 29, 2011
Alert type : Attempted Attack
Location : [242] Arabian Sea- Indian Ocean 1502N 05639E
Latitude : 15 02 N
Longitude : 056 39 E

---WARNING WARNING WARNING---
Alert number 242 / 2011.

At 0857 UTC / 29 NOV 11 / a merchant vessel is currently under attack by 1 skiff in position 15 02 N 056 39 E.

AMPLIFYING INFORMATION: Pirates attempted to board the vessel, and as of 290902Z Pirates ceased attack.

Vessels are advised to exercise extreme caution when navigating within 100 nautical miles of the position given in this report and maintain maximum CPA with any ship acting suspiciously.

***VESSEL IS SAFE ***
*** PIRATE SKIFF IS STILL IN THE AREA***

NATO Shipping Center Alert

NATO Shipping Center Alert::

NSC 10/11 - POSSIBLE MOTHER SHIP 07/11/2011 14:30 15.7 55.18 Suspicious Activity NSC 10/11 - POSSIBLE MOTHER SHIP A possible mother ship was sighted on 7th NOV at 1429Z in position 1542N 05511E, approximately 95 nautical miles south east of Salalah, Oman.

This area is high risk for the next 24 - 48 hours and Masters transiting through or around this area are advised to take extreme caution.

Red oval on map highlights area.

Map is a portion of a NATO Shipping Center map. I added the oval.

Somali Pirates: Start of the Week Where the Pirates Are (Maybe)

Once again, we see suspected Pirate Action Groups sitting on the major northern Indian Ocean shipping lanes and long the coastwise routes off East Africa, as shown on the NATO Shipping Center's Pirate Action Group (PAG) Map:

And a little action off Tanzania/Kenya:

Alert 229 / 2011 16/10/2011 10:50 05 01S 040 03E Attacked
At 1050 UTC / 16 OCT 11 / a merchant vessel was reported under attack by 1 skiff in position 05 01 S 040 03 E. This vessel managed to evade hijack. The Pirate action group is still in the area

That's the brighter reddish spot off the borderline of Tanzania and Kenya on the map.

Somali Pirates: Ship Attack 10 Oct 11

Yellow arrow points to attack

Ship attack reported by NATO Shipping Center here:

Alert 227 / 2011 (AKA NSC 1) 10/10/2011 04:50 1231N 06148E Attacked
A piracy alert has been raised by the Maritime Security Centre.
Alert 227
Date of alert : October 10, 2011
Alert type : Pirate Attack
Location : [227] INDIAN OCEAN 12 31 N 061 48 E
Latitude : 12 31 N
Longitude : 043 01 E

At 0452 UTC / 10 OCT 11 / a merchant vessel is currently under attack by 1 skiff in position 12 31 N 061 48 E. Pirates used an RPG in this attack.

Vessels are advised to exercise extreme caution when navigating within 100 nautical miles of the position given in this report and maintain maximum CPA with any ship acting suspiciously.

NOTE: This attack is also referred to as NSC 1

This report may be related:

State TV in Italy says pirates have attacked an Italian cargo ship carrying 23 crew members in waters off Somalia.
The ship’s owner, D’Alessio Group, said five armed men conducted the attack Monday morning. But to protect the crew, the company said it would not provide any other details.
***
D’Allesio’s statement said the attack on its Montecristo ship occurred 620 miles (1,000 kilometers) off Somalia as the crew — seven Italians, six Ukranians and 10 Indians — was hauling scrap iron to Vietnam on a journey that began Sept. 20 in Liverpool, England.

If so, this may be the ship:

Photo by Ria Maat from Shipspotting.com and used iaw with terms of that site

UPDATE: 11 Oct 11 From the comments below an updated report from TradeWinds indicating the crew is in a citadel.

Somali Pirates: The Attacks of Early October 2011 and Setting the Pirate Stage

The season of increasing Somali pirate attacks in the Indian Ocean has arrived. It is useful to see how early activity is shaping up and where NATO sees "Pirate Action Groups (PAGs)" forming up. So, take a look at the following:

From the NATO Shipping Center All Alerts, this list of October 2011 Somali pirate action and the accompanying map showing the incidents:

Alert 226 / 2011 06/10/2011 16:20 0601S 04220E Attacked At 1620 UTC / 06 OCT 11/ a merchant vessel was under attack by 2 skiffs in position 06-01S 042-20E. 2 skiffs, unknown POB, Weapons fired

click on map to enlarge

**This vessel managed to evade hijack**
The pirate action group is still in the area.

Alert 225 / 2011 03/10/2011 05:30 04 59N 058 00E Attacked
-- WARNING WARNING WARNING --
A fishing vessel was attacked by 2 skiffs in vicinity 04-59N 058-00E at 030532Z OCT 11.
***The Pirate Attack Group is still in the area***
***Vessel evaded hijack***
***Vessel is safe***
Vessels are advised to keep well clear of this position and exercise extreme caution if in the vicinity. While navigating in the region, vessels are urged to operate at a heightened state of readiness and implement Self Protective Measures in accordance with Best Management Practices. For further details, please see www.mschoa.org. or http://www.shipping.nato.int/Pages/BMP.aspx
***
Alert 224 / 2011 02/10/2011 09:20 1606N 06247E Attacked At 0921 UTC / 02 OCT 11 / a merchant vessel has been attacked by one dhow and two skiffs in position 16 06 N 062 47.0 E
***This vessel managed to evade hijack*** ***Vessel is SAFE*** The Pirate Attack Group is still in the area.

Alert 222 / 2011 02/10/2011 04:25 0355N 05620E Attacked At 0403 UTC / 02 OCT 11 / a merchant vessel has been attacked by skiff in position 03 55 N 056 20 E.

***This vessel managed to evade hijack***
***The vessel is safe***
The Pirate Attack Group is still in the area.
Vessels are advised to exercise extreme caution when navigating within 100 nautical miles of the position given in this report and maintain maximum CPA with any ship acting suspiciously.
Experience has shown that to transit W of 60E significantly increases the risk of piracy, although attacks have and will occur E of this area.
MSCHOA advises all vessels navigating in the Indian Ocean to consider keeping East of 60E when routing North/South and to consider routing East of 60E and South of 10S when proceeding to and from ports in South Africa, Tanzania and Kenya.
Vessels should report to UKMTO Dubai *** on entering the UKMTO Voluntary Reporting Area (VRA) bound by Suez,78E and 10S.
Thereafter vessels should report their position, course and speed daily.

Throughout the UKMTO VRA vessels should implement Self Protective Measures in accordance with Best Management Practices. For further details, please see www.mschoa.org. or http://www.shipping.nato.int/Pages/BMP.aspx

Upon receiving the vessels initial report, UKMTO will reply giving specific threat guidance relevant at the time.

***
Alert number 223 / 2011 02/10/2011 04:20 1302N 04851E Attacked At 0410Z UTC / 02 OCT / a merchant vessel was attacked by pirates in position 13 02 N 048 51 E.
***The vessel is safe***
While navigating in the region vessels are urged to operate at a heightened state of readiness, implement Self Protective (defensive) measures in accordance with Best Management Practices. For further details, please see www.mschoa.org. or http://www.shipping.nato.int/Pages/BMP.aspx

Merchant vessels are requested to report any suspicious activity to UKMTO Dubai ***

Now, as set out in Where the Somali Pirates Operate and Why, we can safely assume the pirates are aware of the more heavily traveled "sea lanes" or shipping routes that ships use to transit the Indian Ocean and will send out PAGs to allow interdiction of unwary, underprepared, low in the water and slow speed ships traveling those lanes.

You would expect then, that the pirates might have 4 or 5 areas where they would find the "hunting" particularly good.

And, if you overlay 2010 shipping info over the current NATO activity map, as I have done nearby, you see that the early PAGs are setting up at areas where the shipping is including a rich area (area marked "B" on my map) where shipping in and out of the Arabian Gulf is "choked" into a small area by the Strait of Hormuz.

Similarly, Area "A" is traffic "choked" by the narrow Bab el Mandab entrance/exit from the Red Sea, Area "C" is a catch point for traffic diverting to east on Madagascar, and Area "D" covers the coastwise chokepoint of entry into Kenya, Tanzania and the Madagascar Channel.

Exactly where you would expect smart pirates to be.

Somali Pirates: NATO Alert 29 Sept 11

 Let me be the latest to warn that the weather soon will be improving in the upper Indian Ocean area and when the seas calm a bit, the Somali pirates will be out in force. Currently, a pirate action group or groups seems to be focusing in the lower Red Sea area (lots of islands to hide around) near the chokepoint of Bab el Mandeb. There are reports of Indian naval vessels interdicting pirates (see here, as well as the usual Iranian claims of rescuing most of the world from pirates, see here- "An attempt by the Somali pirates to hijack a Russian vessel was thwarted after an Iranian fleet of warships present in the region rushed to the scene. " - a "fleet?" - Really?).

Checking the wind conditions in the Gulf of Aden and the other areas most affected by pirates is pretty easy - along the right side of this blog I have the updates kindly put out by WeatherOnline. Based on the most recent reports, it looks as if the winds are dropping into safe conditions for pirate small boats operations.

You can view all NATO Shipping Center Somali Piracy Alerts here, but the most recent is:

Alert number 220 / 2011 28/09/2011 11:40 14 03N 042 48E Attacked

---WARNING WARNING WARNING---

Alert number 220 / 2011.

At 1140 UTC / 28 SEP 11 / a merchant vessel has been attacked by skiffs in position 14 03 N 042 48 E

***This vessel managed to evade hijack***

***Vessel is SAFE***

The Pirate Attack Group is still in the area, and there have been reports that these skiffs have been involved in at least two other piracy attempts in the same region.

The lead boat of the group is described as a very fast white skiff.

While navigating in the Southern Red Sea and Bab al Mandeb regions, vessels are urged to operate at a heightened state of readiness, and implement Self Protective Measures in accordance with Best Management Practices Version 4 (dated August 2011). For further details, please see www.mschoa.org. or http://www.shipping.nato.int/Pages/BMP.aspx

Somali Pirates: NATO Reports Hijackings!

Reports from NATO Shipping Center All Alerts:

Alert 217 10/09/2011 06:25 1406N 04245E Pirated
---WARNING WARNING WARNING---

Alert number217 / 2011.

***This vessel has been hijacked***

At 0627 UTC / 10 SEP 11 / a merchant vessel has been hijacked by /2 skiff in position 1406N 04245E
UPDATE: New report indicates vessel is safe

Alert 216/2011 08/09/2011 19:00 1527N 05214E Pirated

at 1327Z Sep 2011 a sailing yacht has been hijacked by pirates

UPDATE: EUNAVFOR reports 1 yacht hostage rescued:

EUNAVFOR Operation Atalanta assets have today, 10 September, stopped and boarded a skiff thought to have been involved in an incident with the French Sailing Yacht (SY) TRIBAL KAT. One member of the crew from the yacht was found safe.

SPS Galicia (EUNAVFOR photo)

The SY TRIBAL KAT was located on 8 September, by the EU NAVFOR warship FGS BAYERN, who responded to a distress call from the yacht and located off the coast of Yemen. At that time and following an inspection of the yacht the crew could not be found. Today EU NAVFOR warship SPS GALICIA, with support from EU NAVFOR warship FS SURCOUF, located and trailed the skiff. SPS GALICIA then forced the skiff to stop. One of crew members was released safely and all of the suspect criminals were detained. The other crew member is believed to have been killed when the suspects boarded the yacht.

FS Surcouf (EUNAVFOR photo)

The skiff has subsequently sunk, however all persons, were safely recovered by a boarding team from SPS GALICIA. All are on board the SPS GALICIA while investigations continue to determine the facts of the incidents. During the operation the hostage was not wounded or injured all the suspect criminals were detained unharmed.

EUNAVFOR also reports locating the yacht:

On 8 September, the FGS BAYERN responded to a distress call and located a yacht off the coast of Yemen.

An inspection of the yacht found no persons on board. The whereabouts of the crew is unknown at this time.

FGS Bayern (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Second Class Mike Banzhaf)

Recent Pirate Activity (to 3 September 2011)

Recent Pirate Attack Numbers Relate to Reports Below (NATO Shipping Center)

NATO Shipping Center reports on recent pirate activity, including attack on September 3, 2011, Alert 215:

Alert number 215 / 2011	03/09/2011 11:05	2145N	06031E	Attacked	At 0949 UTC a merchant vessel is currently under attack by 2 skiffs with 5 POB and weapons have been fired in position 21 45N 060 31E
Alert 214 / 2011	23/08/2011 06:15	13 08N	049 11E	Attacked	At 230541 AUG UTC a merchant vessel was reported under attack by 1 skiff in position 1308 N 04911 E. Skiff had 5 POB. ***This vessel managed to evade hijack*** The Pirate attack group is still in the area.

Somali Piracy Warnings: 16 May 11

NATO Shipping Center warnings from here:

MAY 16, 2011
LATITUDE 07 17N LONGITUDE 053 26E
Alert Number 175 (update) / 2011
---WARNING WARNING WARNING---
At 1310 UTC / 16 MAY / a previously hijacked ship MV EAGLE was reported in position 07 17 N 053 26 E course 260 / 7 kts.
It is likely now that the ship is being used as a pirate mother vessel.
____________________________________________
MAY 16, 2011
LATITUDE 24 11N LONGITUDE 061 11E
Alert Number 183 / 2011
At 1036 UTC / A merchant ship was reported under attack by a single skiff at posn 24 11N, 061 11E, small arms have been fired at the vessel.
________________________________________
MAY 15, 2011
Latitude 14 09N Longitude 055 25E
Alert Number 182 / 2011
---WARNING WARNING WARNING---
At 1639 UTC / 15 MAY / A merchant vessel was reported under attack by pirates. The vessel was fired upon by small arms.
This vessel manged to evade hijack. The Pirate Action Group is still in the area.
_______________________________________
MAY 15, 2011
Latitude 14 13N Longitude 058 19E
Alert Number 181 / 2011
---WARNING WARNING WARNING---
At 1112 UTC / 15 MAY / A Pirate Action Group consisting of a dhow towing a skiff was reported in at the above position, crs210, 5.0 kts.

I added red arrows to the NATO Shipping Centre May incident map to point to the most recent alerts (175 revised, 183, 182, 181).

Somali Pirates: 24 April Update

Pirate attacks in normal shipping trade routes continue in Indian Ocean.

Yellow Arrows Point to 24 April 2011 Attacks on Shipping by Somali Pirates

 24 April Somali piracy update from the NATO Shipping Centre:

April 24, 2011
Latitude 12 13N Longitude 060 24E
Alert Number 160 / 2011
---WARNING WARNING WARNING---
At 0615 UTC 24 April, a Pirate Action Group consisting of a mothership and 1 skiff was reported.
The Pirate Action Group is still in the area.
_____________________________________
April 24, 2011
Latitude 04 11S Longitude 047 45E
Alert Number 159 / 2011
---WARNING WARNING WARNING---
At 0300 UTC 24 April, a merchant vessel was reported under attack by pirates / 2 skiffs.
Weapons were used during the attack.
***The vessel evaded hijack.***
The Pirate Action Group is still in the area.

And a look into the near future (weatherwise) from the U.S. Navy, Office of Naval Intelligence Piracy Analysis and Warning Weekly (Horn of Africa) report (pdf):

The redder the color, the better the weather for pirate operations

Finally, a look into the near past in the Somali pirate operating areas (some of which may be new information to you) from the records of the U.S. Marine Safety Information site:

Date of Occurrence: 04/17/2011 Reference Number: 2011-205 Geographical Subregion: 62 Geographical Location: 14° 04' 00" N 42° 20' 00" E Aggressor: PIRATES Victim: MERCHANT VESSEL Description: SOUTHERN RED SEA: A merchant vessel reported suspicious approach at 0830Z on 17 Apr in position 14-04N 042-20E, approximately 84 miles from Eritrea, Eriterea. This area will remain a high risk for the next 24-48 hours.
***
Date of Occurrence: 04/12/2011 Reference Number: 2011-201 Geographical Subregion: 62 Geographical Location: 13° 40' 00" N 49° 56' 00" E Aggressor: PIRATES Victim: TANKER Description: GULF OF ADEN: Oil products tanker (SAINT RAM) was fired upon by one skiff 12 April at 1218 UTC while underway in position 13-40N 049-56E, approximately 70NM southeast of Al Mukalla, Yemen. The vessel was fired upon by one skiff containing six pirates with RPGs and guns. The armed security team onboard exchanged fire with the skiff, and the skiff then aborted the attack. (IMB, UKMTO, Commercial Sources)

Date of Occurrence: 04/12/2011 Reference Number: 2011-202 Geographical Subregion: 62 Geographical Location: 14° 22' 00" N 42° 36' 00" E Aggressor: PIRATES Victim: BULK CARRIER Description: SOUTHERN RED SEA: About five pirates in a skiff approached a bulk carrier underway. All crew went into citadel while bridge team increased speed, enforced anti piracy measures and contacted authorities. Later the skiff aborted the attempt and moved away.

Date of Occurrence: 04/11/2011 Reference Number: 2011-200 Geographical Subregion: 62 Geographical Location: 12° 31' 00" N43° 38' 00" E Aggressor: PIRATES Victim: PASSENGER SHIP Description: GULF OF ADEN: A passenger ship underway noticed a group of about 20 skiffs near the port bow at a distance of three miles. Five skiffs were seen to break out from this group and head towards the vessel. At a distance of around 600 to 700 meters the armed security team noticed around five to seven pirates armed with rpgs and guns were seen in each skiff and instructed all crew members to stay inside the ship. As the skiffs approached closer the security team fired warning shots and the skiffs moved away. At the same time three more skiffs approached the vessel from the stbd side at a distance of 800 meters. The security team noticed arms onboard these skiffs and fired warning shots when the skiffs closed to a distance of 600 to 300 meters. The pirates aborted the attempted attack and moved away. Master informed a warship in the vicinity and all ships in the area via VHF.

***

Date of Occurrence: 04/10/2011 Reference Number: 2011-198 Geographical Subregion: 62 Geographical Location: 12° 02' 00" N 45° 08' 00" E Aggressor: PIRATES Victim: CHEMICAL TANKER Description: GULF OF ADEN: While underway a chemical tanker noticed one white and one blue skiff heading towards the vessel. Four persons were seen in the white skiff and five persons in the blue skiff. Crew alerted and armed security guards made themselves on the bridge wings. The skiffs approached to around 500 meters and the security team fired warning shots resulting in the skiffs moving away. The skiffs continued to follow the vessel for around 15 minutes before finally moving away.

Date of Occurrence: 04/09/2011 Reference Number: 2011-196 Geographical Subregion: 62 Geographical Location: 13° 08' 00" N 56° 18' 00" E Aggressor: PIRATES Victim: MERCHANT VESSELS Description: GULF OF ADEN: Pirate activity observed at 1005Z on 09 April in position 13-08N 056-18E. At 1506Z, approximately 120 miles northeast of Socortra Island, Yemen. This area will remain high risk for at least the next 24-48 hours.

Date of Occurrence: 04/08/2011 Reference Number: 2011-195 Geographical Subregion: 62 Geographical Location: 18° 25' 00" N 57° 27' 00" E Aggressor: PIRATES Victim: MERCHANT VESSEL Description: GULF OF ADEN: A merchant vessel reported being hijacked at 0234Z on 08 Apr in position 18-25N 057-27E, approximately 90 miles southeast of Duqm, Oman. Vessels are advised to keep 100 miles clear of this position and to exercise extreme caution.

Date of Occurrence: 04/08/2011 Reference Number: 2011-197 Geographical Subregion: 62 Geographical Location: 18° 25' 00" N 57° 27' 00" E Aggressor: PIRATES Victim: CARGO SHIP Description: ARABIAN SEA: General cargo ship (SUSAN K) was hijacked 08 April at 0234 UTC while underway in position 18-25N 057-27E, approximately 274NM southwest of Sur, Oman. About ten pirates boarded the cargo ship with weapons. The ten crew members and Master went into the citadel, but pirates entered the citadel and took the crew members hostage.(IMB, UKMTO)

Date of Occurrence: 04/05/2011 Reference Number: 2011-190 Geographical Subregion: 62 Geographical Location: 16° 00' 36" N 59° 52' 06" E Aggressor: PIRATES Victim: TANKER Description: AROUND 375 MILES OFF SOCOTRA ISLAND: Two large white hulled skiffs were noticed approaching a tanker underway at a distance of 2.5 miles. Master raised alarm and all crew except for the duty crew mustered in the safe room. The security team onboard fired rocket flares as a warning. The skiffs ignored this and continued to approach the tanker at high speed and at a distance of 600 meters, the security team fired warning shots. One skiff stopped while the other continued its approach. The security team reported that this skiff fired upon the vessel as it approached. The security team returned fire resulting in the skiff aborting the attempted attack.

Date of Occurrence: 04/05/2011 Reference Number: 2011-194 Geographical Subregion: 62 Geographical Location: 15° 53' 00" N 59° 57' 00" E Aggressor: PIRATES Victim: MERCHANT VESSEL Description: ARABIAN SEA: Merchant vessel (PACIFIC OPAL) was fired upon 05 April at 0656Z while underway in position 15-53N 059-57E, approximately 381 miles northeast of Socotra Island, Yemen. The pirate attack group consisted of a mothership and two large, white-hulled skiffs. Each skiff had six to eight pirates aboard. Fire hoses were initiated and the armed security team onboard fired flares ad waring shots. One of the skiffs aborted the attack at that time. The security team reported five or six rounds of incoming fire within 500 meters of the vessel. After more warning shots were fired, the second skiff aborted the attack. Both skiffs were equipped with motors capable of reaching 30 knots. (Commercial sources, IMB)
***
Date of Occurrence: 04/03/2011 Reference Number: 2011-187 Geographical Subregion: 61 Geographical Location: 5° 35' 00" S 40° 20' 00" E Aggressor: PIRATES Victim: BULK CARRIER Description: INDIAN OCEAN: Bulk carrier (ELENI G) was fired upon by one skiff 03 April at 0205Z while underway in position 05-35S 040-20E, approximately 96 miles northeast of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Six pirates fired rpgs and small arms at the vessel. The master raised the alarm and engaged in evasive maneuvers. (Commercial source IMB)
***
Date of Occurrence: 04/02/2011 Reference Number: 2011-185 Geographical Subregion: 62 Geographical Location: 15° 21' 54" N 51° 59' 18" E Aggressor: PIRATES Victim: BULK CARRIER Description: AROUND 17 MILES OFF QISHN, YEMEN: A skiff with three pirates onboard came within ten meters of a bulk carrier underway. Onboard security team fired warning shots and the skiff moved away. Small arms were sighted in the skiff.

Date of Occurrence: 04/01/2011 Reference Number: 2011-188 Geographical Subregion: 63 Geographical Location: 19° 17' 00" N 65° 14' 00" E Aggressor: PIRATES Victim: BULK CARRIER Description: ARABIAN SEA: Bulk carrier (ARRILAH-I) was boarded 01 April at 0528Z while underway in position 19-17N 065-45E approximately 398 miles southeast of Sur, Oman. The vessel was attacked by two skiffs firing small arms fire (each skiff had three pirates). The crew locked themselves in the citadel. The vessel was freed by IAE special forces in coordination with the U.S. 5th fleet on 02 April. (Comercial sources IMB)

Date of Occurrence: 04/01/2011 Reference Number: 2011-189 Geographical Subregion: 62 Geographical Location: 14° 05' 00" N 51° 43' 00" E Aggressor: PIRATES Victim: CHEMICAL TANKER Description: GULF OF ADEN: A chemical tanker underway noticed a suspicious fishing vessel. After monitoring the vessel for some time it was observed that a skiff as being launched which then headed directly for the tanker. Alarm sounded and navies contacted. Armed security team fired rocket flares in the direction of the approaching skiff. The pirates continued to approach the vessel and fired rpg and guns towards the vessel. The security team onboard returned fire and the pirates aborted the attack and moved towards their mother vessel. No injuries to crew and tanker.

Old School U.S. Navy Approach to Protecting Merchant Ships

The highlighted words are my doing, to point out the effectiveness of armed security teams in thwarting attacks.

Ships that are unprepared, low in the water and without security are more likely to be be victims of pirates.

A citadel, as noted by all the authorities, does not guarantee safety for the crew.

Somali Pirates: If you take out the pirate "mother ships" you end up with less piracy? A NATO/EU Lesson Learned

From NATO Shipping Centre Daily Somali Piracy Overview:

Burning Pirate Boats - Anti-Piracy Technique of Proven Effectiveness

There were no new piracy attacks in the past 24 hours. The assessment of the number of dhow PAGs operating central Arabian Sea has been reduced from 3 to 2 following the disruption by POHJANMA today. This is a minimum figure and there remains the possibility that other dhows have got underway from Pirate anchorages and are now also in the area. No other recent activity of note. Low levels of pirate activity could continue in the GOA and the southern Somali Basin, particularly towards the coastal areas of the Kenyan/Tanzanian border.

About the FNS Pohjanma here.

Wow, a lesson learned.

I hope.

Somali Pirates: Where you might find them 31 March 11

NATO has mapped out known Somali pirate operating areas (on the major sea lanes, imagine that!) as part of the NATO Shipping Centre Counter Piracy Operation Ocean Shield:

From NATO SC - Match the alert numbers from below to those on the map

A selection of NATO Piracy Alerts reported here:

March 29, 2011
Latitude: 13 30N Longitude: 047 30E
Alert 145 / 2011
At 0612 GMT / 29 Mar 11 / a merchant vessel was reported under attack by 1 skiff position
***This vessel is safe***
________________________________________________
March 28, 2011
Latitude: 15 36N Longitude: 057 04E
Alert 144 / 2011
Replaces alert 143
---WARNING WARNING WARNING---
At 0613 UTC / 28 MAR 11/ a merchant vessel was attacked by pirates.
2 skiffs, RPG and small arms used.
***This vessel has been hijacked***
_______________________________________________
March 27, 2011
Latitude: 15 47N Longitude: 055 45E
Alert 142 / 2011
At 1905 UTC / 27 Mar 11 / a pirate attack group consisting of a Dhow with one skiff was reported in position 15 47N 055 45E course 221, speed 7
_____________________________________________
March 25, 2011
Latitude: 11 39N Longitude: 065 06E
Alert 140 / 2011
At 1144 GMT / 25 MAR / 2011 / a merchant vessel was reported under attack by 2 skiffs in position.
***This vessel managed to evade hijack***
The PAG is still in the area
_______________________________________________
March 23, 2011
Latitude: 22 26N Longitude: 063 00E
Alert 139/2011
Reference previous Alert number 138/ 2011.
At 0737 UTC / 23 MAR 11 / a merchant vessel was reported under attack by 1 skiff in position 22 26 N 063 00 E.
***This vessel managed to evade hijack*** The Pirate attack group is still in the area.
_______________________________________________
March 24, 2011
Latitude: 21 40N Longitude: 063 03E
Alert 133/2011
At 1850 UTC / 24 MAR 11 / pirated FV JIN CHUN TSAI 68, suspected acting as mothership, was reported in position 21 40 N 063 03 E, Course 210: speed 6 knots.

Daily Somali Piracy Overview from the NATO Shipping Centre

From the fine folks at the NATO Shipping Centre (or Center) - Daily Somali Piracy Overview:

FS JIH CHUN TSAI 68

FS Montesa/Monteza

There’s continuing high piracy activity in the Arabian Sea, with two attacks and several approaches/ suspicious activities reported this week, It is assessed that these are probably conducted by dhow based and FV PAGs. Two fishing vessels used as mother ships (FS JIH CHUN TSAI 68 and FS MONTESA/MORTEZA) are also active in this area. The piracy activity is also increasing in Somali Basin. During the past weeks, several whaler based PAGs where reported missing along the shore indicating a possible upcoming increase of pirate activity in the southern Somali Basin as well as off the coast of Kenya, Tanzania and towards the Mozambique Cannel. The weather forecast further supports increased activity as the monsoon transition period seems to finally have settled. In the Gulf of Aden weather condition for the next 24 hours are also favourable for small boat activities and pirates attacks in this area are likely.