Weekly Piracy Report: Gulf of Guinea Still HOT

HOA Pirate Activity, 16 – 22 August

Weekly Piracy Incidents: AUG 16-22

GUINEA: General cargo ship boarded at anchorage on 21 August at 15:50 N – 013:58 W, approximately 23 nm southwest of Conakry Port. Seven armed robbers in a fast boat boarded the ship during a heavy rain. Six of the robbers boarded the vessel and entered the bridge by firing at and breaking the bridge windows. They took hostage the electrical officer, the second officer and the third officer, tied their hands and took them to the Masters cabin. They then ransacked the Masters, Chief Engineer’s, Second Mate’s, Third Mate’s and Second Engineer’s cabins, stealing cash and other valuable belongings, then escaped. The Third Mate received slight injuries to the face when he was hit during the incident. The ship’s Master contacted Conakry Port Control but received no response. (IMB)

BANGLADESH: Bulk carrier boarded at anchorage on 17 August at 21:52 N – 091:41 E, Kutubdia Anchorage. An unknown number of robbers boarded the ship and were able to steal ship’s stores from storage room and escape unnoticed. The theft was discovered by duty crewman while making rounds. Port Control Office and local Coast Guard office notified. (IMB)

Piracy Weather Forecast: AUG 23-29

GULF OF ADEN: South-southwesterly winds of 18 – 22 knots with seas of 3 – 5 feet in the western portion of the Gulf. In the eastern portion, west-southwesterly winds of 12 – 16 knots, becoming west-southwesterly at 6 – 10 knots with seas of 5 – 7 feet. EXTENDED FORECAST: In the western portion of the Gulf, south-southwesterly winds of 8 – 12 knots, gusting to 16 knots, with seas of 3 – 5 feet, abating to 1 – 2 feet. In the eastern portion, southwesterly winds of 4 – 8 knots, becoming west-southwesterly at 6 – 10 knots with seas of 5 – 7 feet, which should abate to 1-3 feet.

SOMALI COAST: Southwesterly winds of 25 – 30 knots and seas of 10 – 14 feet, north of 5 degrees North; with southwesterly winds of 20 -25 knots and seas of 5 – 7 feet south of 5 degrees North. EXTENDED FORECAST: Southwesterly winds 20 – 25 knots with seas of 10 – 14 feet, abating to 8 – 12 feet, north of 5 degrees North; and southwesterly winds of 15 – 20 knots and seas of 5 – 7 feet south of 5 degrees North.

ARABIAN SEA: South-southwesterly winds of 10 – 15 knots and seas of 7 – 9 feet. EXTENDED FORECAST: West-southwesterly winds of 15 – 20 knots and seas of 7 – 9 feet, abating to 5 – 7 feet.

CENTRAL AFRICAN COAST/INDIAN OCEAN: South-southeasterly winds 10 – 15 knots and seas of 4 – 6 feet. EXTENDED FORECAST: South-southeasterly winds of 12 – 16 knots and seas of 5 – 7 feet.

MOZAMBIQUE CHANNEL: South-southeasterly winds of 10 – 15 knots and seas of 2 – 4 feet in the northern channel; with south-southeasterly winds of 8 – 12 knots and seas of 2 – 4 feet in the southern channel. EXTENDED FORECAST: South-southeasterly winds of 8 – 12 knots and seas of 2 – 4 feet in the northern channel; south-southeasterly winds of 10 – 15 knots and seas of 5 – 7 feet in the southern channel.

This report is brought to you by the U.S. Office of Naval Intelligence Maritime OPINTEL Report

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