Question 1

MV AMBER BAY, 0320. ARPA shows two high-speed contacts approaching from the south at 18 knots on a converging course. Current range 4nm, CPA in approximately 13 minutes. The contacts show the characteristic track of skiffs — but no weapons are visible on camera and no radio hail has been received.

At what point should BMP5 anti-piracy measures be initiated?

Accepted Answer

Initiate BMP5 protective measures NOW — at 4nm with 13 minutes to CPA. BMP5 states that master should activate the Ship Protection Measures as early as possible. Waiting for visual confirmation of weapons at close range leaves no time to complete the citadel muster, raise alarm, contact UKMTO, and close all access points. Early action costs nothing if it is a false alarm; late action can cost lives BMP5 is explicit: Ship Protection Measures should be implemented as early as possible when a suspicious vessel is identified. At 18 knots closing on a converging track, 4nm gives approximately 13 minutes — barely enough time for a full crew muster, access point hardening, and citadel preparation if started NOW. Waiting for confirmation at 2nm leaves 6–7 minutes — demonstrably insufficient. Hailing on VHF alerts the attackers that they have been seen and does not confirm intent faster than ARPA. Evasive manoeuvre should run simultaneously with alarm activation, not instead of it. UKMTO must also be notified immediately.

Question 2

The general alarm has been sounded. Crew are mustering toward the citadel. At the last roll call, three crew members are not yet confirmed in the citadel: the bosun (last seen on the stern deck), an AB who was on watch on the bridge, and a cook who was in the galley. The skiffs are now at 1.5nm.

What is the Master's decision?

Accepted Answer

The Master (or the last designated person) must search for the missing crew while the rest lock in. If the missing crew cannot reach the citadel before the pirates board, the Master must make a real-time decision: delay citadel lockdown (risking the majority) or secure the citadel and attempt to communicate with those outside. BMP5 recommends that those outside should shelter in another pre-designated area if they cannot reach the citadel in time This is the hardest decision in citadel planning — there is no clean answer, only degrees of risk. BMP5 recommends pre-designating an alternative shelter point for crew who cannot reach the citadel. The citadel must be locked down before pirates reach it — a citadel that is breached provides no protection to anyone. Crew on deck to "present a front" is dangerous and contradicted by all BMP5 guidance. The Master's place is in the citadel with the crew — not alone on a bridge that cannot be defended. The Master remaining on bridge alone is a documented fatal error in historical piracy incidents. Trained, pre-planned muster routes prevent this moment.

Question 3

All crew are in the citadel, secured. Pirates have boarded the vessel — you can hear movement above. The citadel is confirmed locked and hardened. You have: satellite phone, SSAS (Ship Security Alert System), VHF radio inside the citadel. The skiffs approached from a direction suggesting an HRA-based group.

What is your communication priority?

Accepted Answer

Activate SSAS immediately (silent alert to flag state and company). Contact UKMTO on the dedicated 24-hour number and provide position, vessel details, number of crew, and that you are in the citadel. Do NOT use VHF radio inside the citadel — radio transmissions can be heard on the vessel and betray your location and communications to the pirates UKMTO is the primary maritime security coordination authority for the HRA and maintains 24/7 communication. SSAS provides a silent covert alert to the flag state. VHF inside the citadel is potentially audible to pirates and compromises security — communications must be discreet. A MAYDAY on VHF is not wrong in principle, but broadcasting "we are in the citadel" on an open channel gives pirates the one piece of information they want to know. Total silence prevents naval response from being coordinated. The balance is: silent SSAS alert + UKMTO by satellite phone, voice low, position confirmed.