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" 10/19/ :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