[29/12, 6:09 am] Sushil Mohite 2/O: 10 Things to Consider Before Your Ship Enters Piracy

Prone Area
While the number of piracy attacks along the coast of Somalia has decreased, there has
been a substantial increase in piracy incidents along the coast of West Africa. As maritime
organizations continue to bring in newer regulations and guidelines to protect ship from
pirates, seafarers are also required to stay extremely cautious and vigilant when their ship
enters a piracy sensitive area.

Mentioned are then things seafarers must do before entering piracy affected zone/ high risk
areas.
[29/12, 6:09 am] Sushil Mohite 2/O: 3. Check Ship’s Freeboard

As usually seen, pirates try to board the ship using the lowest point above the waterline as it
is easy for them to climb. On the basis of past experience, it is said that the ships having a
minimum freeboard greater than 8 meters have better chances of escaping a piracy attempt.
However, it is to note that a large freeboard would not be of any help if the ship has easy
access points to climb the ship. Special protective measures must be provided to these
access points.
[29/12, 6:09 am] Sushil Mohite 2/O: 1. Keep Yourself Updated with the Latest Happenings of
the High Risk Areas

Get all the latest available information on piracy sensitive areas your ship is about to enter.
Collect all the useful information on piracy activities from important maritime websites. Based
on this information, carry out a thorough risk assessment of the vessel to assess the
likelihood and consequences of piracy attacks.

The ship’s master is also required to prepare an Emergency Communication Plan to Include
All Emergency Contact Numbers (provided at the end of the article) and prepared messages
which should be ready at hand or permanently displayed near all external communication
systems. All important warnings and information on high risk ares should be carefully
reviewed.
[29/12, 6:09 am] Sushil Mohite 2/O: 4. Prepare to Keep Ship’s Speed More Than 18 knots

Ship’s speed is considered one of the most effective ways to prevent a pirate attack.
According to sources, there have been no reports of ships having more than 18 knots getting
highjacked. As it is difficult for pirates to board at high speeds, ships are recommended to
proceed at full speed or at least 18 knots during their transit through high risk area.

Refer to important websites such as NATO shipping center to get the latest information
regarding pirate attack speed capability.
[29/12, 6:09 am] Sushil Mohite 2/O: 2. Take all Measures for Crew Safety

The safety of the ship’s crew is of prime importance. Ensure all measures are taken to
prevent illegal boarding and external access to the ship’s accommodation area. The location
of the muster station andcitadel should be such that they are easily and quickly accessible
by the ship’s crew. Care should also be taken to ensure that the crew members are not
trapped inside and are able to escape in other emergency situations like fire.
As pirates usually fire at the bridge first to stop the vessel, proper ballistic protection must be
provided to the ship’s crew on the bridge during piracy attack.
[29/12, 6:09 am] Sushil Mohite 2/O: 5. Keep Non-Lethal Weapons Ready

Keep all the non-lethal weapons handy and ensure they are in proper working condition.
Crew members must know how to operate non-lethal weapons during emergency situations.
Learn about different anti-piracy weapons used on ships.

Note: Several countries have started allowing armed guards on board ships to keep pirates
away.
[29/12, 6:09 am] Sushil Mohite 2/O: Important Contacts :

To Report of Somali piracy incidents only - please contact below immediately

UKMTO: Tel: +971 50 552 3215, Fax: +971 4 306 5710, Email: UKMTO@eim.ae
MSCHOA: Tel: +44 (0) 1923 958547, +44 (0) 1923 958700

Fax: +44 (0) 1923 958520, Email: postmaster@mschoa.org

NATO: Tel: +44 (0) 1923 956574, Fax: +44 (0) 1923 956575. Email: info@shipping.nato.int
MARLO (Maritime Liaison Office Bahrain)

MARLO (24 Hours):

: Tel: +973 1785 3925

Tel: +973 3940 1395

IMB PRC: Tel: +60 3 2031 0014, Fax: +60 3 2078 5769, Email: piracy@icc-ccs.org /
imbkl@icc-ccs.org

To Report incidents on Piracy and Armed Robbery occurring anywhere else in the world
please contact the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre:

Ships are advised to maintain strict anti-piracy watches and report all piratical attacks (actual
and attempted) and suspicious sightings to the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre, Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia.

Tel: +60 3 2078 5763 Fax: + 60 3 2078 5769,

E-mail: imbkl@icc-ccs.org / piracy@icc-ccs.org

The Centre’s 24 Hours Anti Piracy HELPLINE is: + 60 3 2031 0014

Reference: Best Management Practices for Protection Against Somalia Based Piracy
[29/12, 6:09 am] Sushil Mohite 2/O: 9. Use Physical Barriers If Available
If possible use physical barriers such as razor wires and electrified fence along the periphery
of the ship to prevent pirates from boarding. Also keep water cannons, ballast / fire pumps,
and fire hoses ready. Use all kind of barriers that are available to prevent pirates from
boarding the ship.

Also, check if all the alarms and deck lights are working properly or not.

10. Check Ship’s AIS system, radar, and other important navigation equipment

Ensure that the ship’s AIS system and other important navigation equipment are working
properly. It is recommended to keep the ship’s AIS system On while transiting the high risk
zone. Ensure that the ship’s radar system is working properly. Also, the ship security plan
and ship security alert system (SSAS) should also be checked.

The above mentioned points are some of the most important things that should be checked
before the ship enters piracy zone. However, the precautions to be taken should also include
factors such as type of ship, route, weather conditions etc. Do you think anything else also
must be considered while entering high risk zone? Let us know in the comments below
[29/12, 6:09 am] Sushil Mohite 2/O: 6. Check Fire Pumps and Engines

Check all fire pumps are working properly as they will be required to run fire hoses during
pirate attacks. Also ensure that the engines are working properly as the ship will be required
to transit at full speed through the high risk zone.

7. Brief Crew and Conduct Drill

Before entering high risk zone the ship’s crew should be properly briefed on the preparations
taken and piracy drill should also be conducted. All personnel should know their duties and
must be familiar with piracy alarms and necessary response for the same.

8. Secure Doors and Hatches

Doors and hatches providing access to bridge accommodation and machinery spaces
should be properly secured to prevent pirates from them. If required additional means must
to taken to properly secure doors and hatches for additional protection.

Prior to entering high risk areas, procedures for controlling access to accommodation,
machinery spaces and store rooms should be set out and practiced.