Somali Pirates: The Past 30 Days

From the NATO Shipping Center All Alerts. The most recent incidents:

Arrow points to Alert 239 (NATO map, my arrow)

ALERT 239 21/11/2011 05:35 -4.6 43.3
Attacked WARNING WARNING WARNING
AT 0536 UTC 21 NOV A MERCHANT VESSEL WAS ATTACKED BY 2 SKIFFS IN POSITION 0404S 04302E. THERE WERE 3 POB EACH SKIFF. WEAPONS WERE FIRED.

***THIS VESSEL MANAGED TO EVADE HIJACK***
*** THE VESSEL IS SAFE***
***THE PIRATE ACTION GROUP IS STILL IN THE AREA***
VESSELS ARE ADVISED TO EXERCISE EXTREME CAUTION WHEN NAVIGATING WITHIN 100 NAUTICAL MILES OF THE POSITION GIVEN IN THIS REPORT AND MAITAIN MAXIMUM CPA WITH ANY SHIP ACTING SUSPICIOUSLY
***

EU NAVFOR Photo

NSC 13/11 19/11/2011 14:20 22.6 59.85
Approached WARNING WARNING WARNIG
VESSEL WAS APPROACHED BY A SKIFF WITH 3 PEOPLE ON BOARD, IN POSITION 2204N 05951E. SKIFF WAS TRAVELLING AT A SPEED OF 21 KTS. CREW SHELTERED IN THE CITADEL AND BMP4 MEASURES WERE IMPLEMENTED. THE SKIFF ABORTED THE APPROACH. VESSEL IS REPORTED SAFE.

VESSELS ARE ADVISED TO EXERCISE EXTREME CAUTION WHEN TRANSITTING THIS AREA.

NSC 12/11 19/11/2011 06:00 12.48 43.53
Approached Suspicious Approach
A merchant vessel reported a suspicious approach by 2 skiffs in the area 1229N 04332E. Vessel is safe

ALERT 238 18/11/2011 04:50 12.55 43.55
Attacked WARNING WARNING WARNING
AT 0450Z 18 NOV A PIRATE ACTION GROUP CONSITING OF 1 SKIFF WAS REPORTED IN POSITION 1233N 04333E. MORE THEN ONE MV REPORTS BEING ATTACKED.

*** THE VESSELS MANAGED TO EVADE HIJACK***
*** THE VESSELS ARE SAFE ****

VESSELS ARE URGED TO OPERATE AT A HEIGHTENED STATE OF READINESS, IMPLEMENT SELF PROTECTIVE (DEFENSIVE) MEASURES IN ACCORDANCE WITH BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES 4.

NSC 11/11 16/11/2011 07:40 -11.733333 42.6666667
Approached Suspicious Approach
Vessel reported a suspicious approach in the Northern Mozambique Channel. 1144S 04240E. The vessel was approached by 3 skiffs. Vessel is safe. Masters are advised to exercise extreme vigilance while transiting this area.

Winds off Kenya, Northern Mozambique Channel

Looks like the winds are up to over 10 knots in much of the northern pirate operating areas, so that my account for some slowing of piracy. Along with the escorts and armed guards and the like, of course.

Wind and waves seem more amenable to small boat operations in the Northern Mozambique Channel as shown in the nearby map from WeatherOnline. See also WeatherOnline info in the right column.