Transcript PIRACY SAILING MASTERS VIEW POINT

PIRACY
SAILING MASTERS VIEW
POINT
Gulf of Aden transit
By Capt. Albe Zachariah
• PIRACY ACTIVITY varies for area to
area the scale seen in the Gulf of
Aden,is due to backing from the mafia
with large logistic support .
• Piracy is the largest industry in
Somalia . The volunteers in this
racket are high on drugs with a large
following as this is a good source of
income without much sweat.
• Understand form various sources that
they also have an operating base in
Yemen.
• The pirates operate from 2 mother
vessels ,these vessels were hijacked
earlier, and same used for piracy ,on
this mother vessels are small speed
boats which can develop speeds up
to 35 knots .
• Up till date 80 ships have been
hijacked making this area the hot bed
of piracy with no solution in sight.
• Pirates travel in small boats.
• Fishing boats in area often mistaken to be pirate boats.
• The piracy area starts from parallel longitude Aden
harbour up to about 50 deg 30 min e.
• There are naval warships in the area
• India has sent a war ship to safeguard Indian interest.
• French navy provides free escort for ships max 2 nos
with a 5day advance notification with priority to French
interest.
• IMB has defined coordinates
• Travel the area in darkness
• On board usual piracy measures taken, but for this area
continuous watch on deck bridge and engine room with
double up watches on bridge. The eye is the best from of
defense for early avoiding action.
• The ships attacked are the ones with a service speed of
up to 14 knots with less freeboard.
• Vessels position report need to be sent to MTO Dubai
operated by British Navy,also to U. S base in Bahrain.
• Was in telephonic conversation with MTO Dubai who
stated that they should be contacted immediately and
not to call the warships so that help can be provided
faster.
• During the entire transit found only 2 warships in the
area with 100 miles apart. The closest the vessel saw
was aboaut 12 mile off which was a Croatian warship.
The are choppers patrolling the area,
• During the transit got very good support form the
company office in Bergen and also the branch office in
Mumbai with daily conversation with Capt Pradhan
regarding vessels progress.
• From experience ideally vessel shold transist with
complete blackout with lights rigged and fire hoses to be
used as element of surprise.
• All communication system should be fed in with data
required in case of any eventuality so that details can be
transmitted at the earliest.
• Crew need to be advised not to retaliate if pirates board
the vesssel and to keep calm
• During the entire transit found only 2
warships in the area with 100 miles apart.
The closest the vessel saw was aboaut 12
mile off which was a Croatian warship.
The are choppers patrolling the area,
• During the transit got very good support
form the company office in Bergen and
also the branch office in Mumbai with daily
conversation with Capt Pradhan regarding
vessels progress.
• All communication system should be fed in
with data required in case of any
eventuality so that details can be
transmitted at the earliest.
• Crew need to be advised not to retaliate if
pirates board the vesssel and to keep
calm
•
•
"keamail" <[email protected]>
10/19/2008 08:45 PM
–
•
•
•
Subject
• KEA070- Piracy update no 2.
TO : KR/PSS
FM : KESTREL ARROW
•
•
Gooday sir,
As of now vessel passing thro the recommended route advised by the coalition
forces.One war ship was stationed at 13 deg 37n/049 deg 14 e.During the morning
hours there were lot of calls to the warship about speed boats coming close to the
ships ,but this was near the Bab el Mandeb area and proximity to the fishing grounds
/All thse calls were answered by the warships with the advice that if they come close
pls check the no of persons in the craft ,usually only 2 persons ,if more than 4
persons suspect pirate boat and call up the warship.Also there was helecopter
coverage advising ships to use the recommended lane and not to go out of the
recommended route with max speed possible.Did sight just one boat today with 2
persons on board apart form that was peaceful,with normal shipping traffic.Vessel will
exit the recommende area by 20th 0400z.Contiues antipiracy watch being maintained
and continuing doubled watch on bridge and e/r manned.
•
brgds
• Finally.
• The human eye is the best form of defence . Keep max
no of crew on watch 24 hrs till clear of area.
• Bridge watches to be doubled up with vessel on
continues hand steering and engine room to be
continuesly manned .
• Complete accomod to be secured and no crew member
to be exposed.
• Keep in touch with vessels in the area.
• Only self help is available.
• If any suspicious boats in the vicinity bold manouveres to
be made early.
• Suspicious activity to be reported to MTO ,Dubai
• Need more effort from IMO to curb this menace.
• The best way is to patrol the Somali coastline so no
boats can leave for piracy activity than guarding the Gulf
of Aden,
• Yemen has only 1 coat guard vessel to man the coast
under training from the British navy,
Thankyou
By
Capt. Albe Zachariah,
Sailing Master,
Elite Mariners