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<b>
NATO Shipping Centre: Daily Piracy Update
</b> 

<br><br>
<i>
Last updated: Monday 06 February 2012
</i>
<br><br>



<b>Recent Activity</b> 
<br>
Today at 0529Z one merchant ship was approached (NSC6) at 1.2nm by two white skiffs in vicinity of 0503S 06617E (600nm east of the Seychelles Islands). Ladders were seen in the skiffs but no weapons have been seen.
Masters are reminded that a large number of fishing vessels operate in the Southern Red Sea (SRS). The fishing vessels may approach a merchant ship in order to maximise fishing opportunities and to warn vessels from getting too close to the fishing nets.
<br><br>

<b>Current Situation</b> 
<br>




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Although there has been little pirate activity recently, the Gulf of Aden (GOA) Bab al Mandeb (BAM) and Arabian Sea (AS) are still considered areas of increased piracy threat to merchant shipping. Activities have been reported in the Somali Basin. Approaches occurred on 28 January in position 0455N 05814E and on 6 February in the position of 0753N 07618E. There are also indications of a possible PAG (Pirate Attack Group) in vicinity of 0053N 06017E.  Masters are advised to proceed through these areas with extreme caution, and be advised that the PAG responsible for the recent approach (NSC4) in the Somali Basin is still believe to be in the area.
<br><br>

<b>Guidance</b> 
<br>
Masters are advised that the threat of piracy against merchant shipping is always present in the High Risk Area (HRA), and are advised to ensure ALL necessary Self Protection Measures are implemented as recommended in Best Management Practices.  Prudent and timely application of BMP can make the important difference of being approached, attacked or being pirated.
If any incident occurs, Masters are to report immediately to UKMTO via telephone and provide the details of the incident. This will ensure the information is quickly provided to other ships in the area for their awareness and vigilance. If Merchant Masters are safely able to take photographs or video during an attack and provide these to the NATO Shipping Centre and UKMTO, along with the details of the event, it will be greatly appreciated.  This information will be used by Counter Piracy forces’ to combat piracy activities.





<br>
<br><a href="http://www.shipping.nato.int" target="_blank">NATO Shipping Centre (NSC) press release</a>


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