1. In particular the objective is to ensure the safe conduct of merchant shipping within the present situation of the maritime environment by providing guidance and contact information.

2. Since mid January a new multinational naval force; Task Force 151 has been present in the Gulf of Aden and off the Horn of Africa in order to counter piracy.

In addition to Task Force 151 and the continued TF150, an EU Naval Force started operating in the Gulf of Aden mid December, with the task of protecting the traffic at sea in general and the ships sailing for UN WFP to Somalia. Besides these three forces some individual naval units are operating in the area as well. Coordinating is in general taking place, however warships from some nations, who have not joined TF150, TF 151 or the EU NAVFOR, prefer to act independently and in accordance with national directives. All warships act however in suppression of piracy.

Ashore the civil organisation UK Maritime Trade Organisation (UK MTO), situated in Dubai, is the link between the merchant shipping and the Headquarter of the Coalition Maritime Forces in Bahrain. UKMTO coordinates the maritime situational picture with the Headquarter in Bahrain, and the shipping is encouraged to report their positions and intended movements.

Task Force 150, which have worked in the area for years, facilitates furthermore information on the existing situation in the area. Following is a general guidance to the merchant shipping.

3. Merchant vessels should report when they observe unusual movements by smaller speed boats and skiffs and alarm the coalition warships on VHF CH 16. Occasionally pirates are capable of jamming VHF CH 16 by constant transmissions. In such case, VHF CH 8 can be used. This channel is also guarded by coalition warships. If merchant vessels succeed in preventing the piracy attempt for half an hour to an hour, Coalition warships, helicopters, or maritime patrol aircrafts will normally be able to reach the vessel in distress. Merchant vessel should continue to call out warnings and position of the pirates skiffs or boats to coalition warships as well as to other merchant vessels in the area.

4. Coalition warships are strategically positioned along the UK Maritime Trade Organisation Traffic Corridor (UKMTO TC) in the MSPA (Maritime Security Patrol Area) and can be called any time on VHF CH 16 or 8.

5. To make the journey as safe as possible the following precautions may be applied:

• Proceed in the UKMTO TC along the Yemenite coast. Stay inside the corridor, and be aware of fishing skiffs occasionally also operating in the corridor.
• Pay attention to navy vessels in the area. Make contact to navy vessels if anything suspicious is observed. Use the call sign “Coalition Warship” on VHF channel 16.
• When passage of high risk areas; particularly the eastern and central part of the Gulf of Aden between 48E – 50E, transit during dark hours is recommended if possible.
• Stay clear of the Somali east coast preferably 300 NM or more.
• Make sure it is observable from distance that vessel is prepared and has taken pre-emptive measures towards piracy – fire hoses prepared astern and visible alongside the ship.
• Close and lock all hatches; especially to the bridge. Windows which can be busted should be barricaded against intruders.
• Continue to show navigation lights and transmit AIS. If not doing so, your ship may pose a hazard to navigation in this densely trafficked corridor.
• Increase look outs, particularly astern.
• Make sure the radar is tuned for optimal detection of small boats in close vicinity of the vessel.
• Be alert and stay calm throughout. Most small boats in the area are legal fishing boats. This is in particular the case south of Aden and southeast of Mukalla. Those fishing skiffs are using aggressive manoeuvres and weapons might be seen, as these fishermen occasionally also are victims to armed robbery. Shoals of fish being chased are making splashes in the water, which might be mistaken for gunshots.
• Piracy threats may appear from all directions – even from close to the Yemenite coast.
• Proceed through as fast as possible – preferably more than 15 knots.
• Make sure the crew is ready at short notice.
• If an attack occurs – sound the general alarm in the ship. Execute evasive manoeuvres and if possible proceed at highest speed into the seas.
• Emergency call on VHF channel 16. Listen carefully to the instructions given by Coalition warships, airplanes or helicopters.    

6. The following examples show how merchant vessels previously with success have deterred pirate attacks:

• Ships have successfully been riding off pirate boats by creating waves or movements too strong for the pirates’ smaller boats (skiffs) to overcome. Going up sea, slows down pirate skiffs.
• Pirates have been hiding among fishing vessels and attacked when merchant vessels are getting close. Therefore, stay away from groups of fishing vessels and if necessary leave the UKMTO TC for a shorter period of time rather than sail through dense concentrations of fishing vessels.
• Pirates have shot to make the crew go leeward. When the pirate boat approaches alongside the ship the pirates have difficulties shooting up on the deck and merchant crews have utilised this moment to lift off the pirates’ ladders and thrown things at the pirates below or used fire hoses. As of yet the pirates have not purposely aimed at shooting crewmembers.

These precautions are based on operational experience in the Gulf of Aden and off the Horn of Africa.  These precautions do not constitute behavioural recommendations by ADMIRAL DANISH FLEET and ADMIRAL DANISH FLEET is not liable for the application of these precautions but they are sincerely intended to serve the merchant shipping to steer clear of piracy in the area.

Further more attention should be drawn to the following IMO guidelines:

• IMO Revised MSC/Circ.622 Recommendations to Governments for preventing and suppressing piracy and armed robbery against ships.
• IMO Revised MSC/Circ.623 Guidance to ship owners and ship operators, shipmasters and crews on preventing and suppressing acts of  piracy and armed robbery against ships.

At the Maritime Security Centre Horn of Africa’s webpage www.mschoa.eu further information is available. The page contains additional information on how to prepare for a Gulf of Aden transit, how to conduct the transit and how to react if attacked by pirates (including hotline contact information to UK MTO in Dubai).