Weekly Piracy Update: Ship’s Crew Discovers Flares do NOT Deter Pirates

Summary of Worldwide Piracy and Maritime Crime, Week of 29 December 2011.

GULF OF ADEN: Bulk carrier M/V DELFA chased and fired upon by pirates in one skiff on 4 January 2012 at 0200 UTC near position 13:10N – 049:12E, in the Gulf of Aden.  Onboard security team fired flares to no effect, they then returned gunfire, causing the skiff to retreat and depart the area. Several other vessels in this area during this period also reported suspicious activity. (UKMTO)

INDONESIA: Bulk carrier boarded by one robber on 1 January 2012 at 2105 LT while anchored in position 03:44S – 114:27E, Taboneo Anchorage, near Banjarmasin.  Deck watchman saw robber inside the hawse pipe, trying to break the lock.  Alarm was raised and crew mustered. Seeing alert crew, the robber escaped in a waiting boat.  Nothing noted stolen. (IMB)

PHILIPPINES: Bulk carrier underway chased by seven pirates in one small boat near position 03:30N – 121:04E, on 30 December 2011, 0945 LT, in the central Celebes Sea.  Vessel increased speed, deployed fire hoses, conducted evasive maneuvers and repeatedly sounded ship’s whistle.  Small boat broke off chase and departed the area.

INDONESIA: Tanker boarded by four robbers carrying long knives on 29 December 2011 while anchored in the Dumai Inner Anchorage.  The robbers gained entrance to the engine room, took two crewmen hostage and forced them to open the spares locker, then tied the hostages up. Robbers stole spare parts and escaped.  Crewmembers managed to free themselves and alerted ship’s Master. (IMB)

Counter-Piracy and Maritime Crime Announcements and Advisories

GULF OF ADEN CONVOY SCHEDULE:

Government of Japan (GOJ) convoy schedule for January 2012.  Merchant vessels that wish to apply for JMSDF escort operation should visit http://www.mlit.go.jp/en/maritime/maritime_fr2_000000.html and follow the application procedure. For further information, please contact directly the Anti-Piracy Contact and Coordination Office, Maritime Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MILT), Japan: Tel:  +81-3-5253-8932 Fax: +81-3-5253-1643 Email: [email protected] (MSCHOA).

Korean Navy convoy schedule for January 2012.  All merchant vessels wishing to join the convoy group must submit their application forms directly to the ROK naval warship carrying out the mission. The ROK MTG can be reached directly at (INMARSAT: 870-773-110-286), (Email: [email protected]) (MSCHOA).

Chinese convoy schedule for January 2012.  For further information, please e-mail [email protected], [email protected], or call Tel: 86-10-652-92221 Fax: 86-10-652-92245 (MSCHOA).

Weather Forecast for 5 – 11 JAN 

A. GULF OF ADEN: An east north easterly wind flow will continue over the next week.  Expect moderate winds (ENE 13 – 18) and seas (1 – 3, increasing to 3 – 5 feet) to persist through the next 72 hours.  EXTENDED FORECAST: Winds will continue (ENE 13 – 18), then decrease (E 8 – 13) by the end of the forecast period.  Seas will continue to (3 – 5 feet, then decrease 1 – 3 feet) by the end of the forecast period.

B. SOMALI COAST:  NE monsoonal flow off the Somali coast continues to produce moderate to severe impacts in the area.  Expect winds and seas (NE 13 – 18, 4 – 6 feet in northern area and 5 – 7 feet in southern area) through the next 72 hours. EXTENDED FORECAST: Winds will maintain (NE 13 – 18) and seas will remain (4 – 6 feet in northern area and 5 – 7 feet in southern area).

C. NORTH ARABIAN SEA:  Winds (WNW 8 – 13, becoming NNE 8 – 13) will cover the North Arabian Sea as seas will maintain (2 – 4 feet) through the next 72 hours.  EXTENDED FORECAST: Winds will increase to NE 10 – 15 and seas will remain 2 – 4 feet, having little to no impacts to small boat operations.

D. INDIAN OCEAN: Area storms continue to provide for the main cause of wind flow and sea states off the Tanzanian and Kenyan coast.  Residual swell waves from the southern Somali Basin region continue to provide some impacts, but overall conditions will remain moderate (winds NNE 13 – 18, increasing N 18 – 23, gusts 28, seas 3 – 5 feet, increasing to 5 – 7 feet) through the next 72 hours.  Madagascar continues to provide some shelter from transiting storms, but funneling over the next few days will increase winds and seas.  Winds will be N 13 – 18 and seas 3 – 5 feet, increasing to 8 – 11 feet in the Mozambique Channel by the end of the next 72 hours.  These conditions should produce marginal to severe impacts to small boat operations.   EXTENDED FORECAST:  Small boat operations off the Tanzania and Kenyan coast will be impacted by transiting storms causing increased winds (NNW 18 – 23 gusts 28) and seas (8 – 11 feet, decreasing 5 – 7 feet) by the end of the forecast period.

E. SURFACE CURRENTS: Currents within the Somalia Basin, Gulf of Aden, and into the Indian Ocean remain variable with most areas having average speeds of less than 2 knots.  An area of increased speed exists along the Somali coast, continuing south off the northern Kenya coastline.  This NE to SW current is moving at speeds in excess of 3 knots.

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