1 During 2008 significantly increased pirate attacks
on merchant ships occurred throughout the GoA and off the coast of
Somalia. The majority were clustered around the northern side of the
GoA but some attacks have occurred further off the east coast of Somalia.
2 Analysis of successful attacks indicates that
the following common vulnerabilities are exploited by the pirates:
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a. Low speed
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b. Low freeboard
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c. Inadequate planning and procedures
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d. Visibly low state of alert and/or evident self
protective measures
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e. Where a slow response by the ship is evident.
3 Commonly two or more small high speed (up to
25 knots) open boats/“skiffs” are used in attacks often
approaching from the port quarter and/or stern.
4 The use of a pirate “mother ship”,
which is a larger ship carrying personnel, equipment and smaller assault
craft, has enabled the attacks to be successfully undertaken at a
greater range from the shore.
5 Vigilance should be highest at first light and
last light, as the majority of the attacks have taken place during
these periods.
6 To date no successful attacks have occurred
on ships at 15 knots or more.
7 The majority of attempted hijacks have been
repelled by ship’s crew who have planned and trained in advance
of the passage and employed passive counter measures to good effect.