Question 1

At night in the HRA, ARPA shows a vessel at 6nm that has reversed course and is now matching your heading at 14 knots. Your speed is 14 knots. What is your assessment and response?

Accepted Answer

SUSPICIOUS APPROACH — MASTER'S ASSESSMENT AND RESPONSE: ASSESSMENT — PIRACY THREAT INDICATORS: (1) VESSEL MATCHING YOUR SPEED AND COURSE: a vessel that has specifically altered course to match your heading and speed is exhibiting classic piracy surveillance behaviour (also known as "following" or "shadowing"); (2) MAINTAINING RANGE AT 6NM: this is consistent with a mother ship maintaining a safe distance while positioning attack boats closer; (3) NIGHT TIMING: pirates often work at night to avoid visual detection; (4) LOCATION: HRA — all suspicious contacts must be treated as potential piracy threats. BMP6 ASSESSMENT CRITERIA: suspicious if: (a) vessel closing at high speed; (b) vessel appears to be following; (c) vessel not responding to VHF calls; (d) vessel shows no lights or unusual lights; RESPONSE SEQUENCE: (1) ALERT UKMTO: "UKMTO Dubai, this is MV [name], I have a suspicious vessel 6nm on bearing [X], matching my course and speed. Position [lat/long]. Please advise." (2) ALERT CREW: standby for possible piracy — all crew to briefed positions; (3) INCREASE SPEED: go to maximum speed. If the suspicious vessel accelerates to match — this confirms intention; (4) EVASIVE MANOEUVRE: alter course significantly (30°+) and observe if the vessel matches. If it follows every alteration — confirmed surveillance; (5) ALERT SSAS: transmit silent alert; (6) CONTACT NAVAL FORCES VHF CH16: request naval patrol to intercept; (7) CONSIDER CITADEL: if the vessel closes within 3nm — begin citadel protocol. Mother ship tactics: in the HRA, piracy operations typically involve a large vessel (mother ship) that acts as a base for attack skiffs. The mother ship loiters beyond the horizon (20-40nm) and launches fast attack skiffs (capable of 25 knots) for the actual attack. A vessel specifically matching your course and speed from 6nm is classic mother ship positioning — waiting for the right moment to launch skiffs. VHF non-response: if the suspicious vessel does not respond to VHF calls on Channel 16 — this is a significant threat indicator. Legitimate vessels respond to hails. The "no VHF" is intentional — pirates do not want to communicate. Early UKMTO notification (option C): UKMTO welcomes early alerts. A false alarm is better than a late call. Naval assets need maximum time to position. The standard guidance is: alert early, even if uncertain. Naval forces will assess and respond appropriately. Shallow water (option D): this advice is dangerous and wrong. Shallow water close to the Somali coast is exactly where piracy operations are conducted. Mother ships and attack boats are shallow-draught and manoeuvrable in coastal waters. A large vessel reducing depth in proximity to the coast also risks grounding. Evasive manoeuvring verification: altering course by 30-60° and observing whether the suspicious vessel matches the alteration is a definitive test of whether they are following or coincidentally on the same route. A coincidental vessel will maintain its track; a piracy vessel will alter to match. This verification typically takes 10-15 minutes — which is why early alerting at 6nm is critical.

Question 2

You are transiting the Gulf of Aden as Master. Describe the command-level planning and decisions required under Best Management Practices 6 (BMP6).

Accepted Answer

BMP6 COMMAND FRAMEWORK — GULF OF ADEN: Best Management Practices for Protection Against Somalia-Based Piracy (BMP6) — published by shipping industry organisations (BIMCO, ICS, Intertanko, etc.) — is the definitive industry guidance for navigating High Risk Areas (HRAs). MASTER'S COMMAND-LEVEL RESPONSIBILITIES: (1) VOYAGE PLANNING FOR HRA: (a) Register with MSCHOA (Maritime Security Centre Horn of Africa) before transit; (b) File sailing plans with UKMTO (United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations — Dubai) 24 hours before entering HRA and provide regular position reports every 12 hours within HRA; (c) Plan the transit to maximise speed and minimise time in HRA. Use the recommended transit corridor (IRTC) in the Gulf of Aden; (d) Plan transit timing — transit during daylight if possible for improved observation; (2) VESSEL HARDENING: (a) Razor wire on lower rails, manifolds, poop deck, bridge wings; (b) Citadel — a hardened, lockable space where all crew can shelter if the vessel is boarded. The citadel must have communications to MRCC; (c) Fire hoses rigged and pressurised along the ship's side — water barrier; (d) CCTV operational; (e) All external doors locked from inside; (f) Anti-climb measures on the hull; (3) ARMED SECURITY: assess whether to embark Privately Contracted Armed Security Personnel (PCASP). BMP6 acknowledges PCASP is the most effective deterrent. The master retains authority over PCASP at all times; (4) BRIDGE TEAM BRIEFING: brief all officers on watch for piracy indicators: fast small craft, skiffs, mother ships; (5) DISTRESS PLANS: if approached — sequence of alerts to UKMTO, naval forces, MRCC. BMP6 legal status (option B): BMP6 is industry guidance, not a statutory instrument. However, it represents the standard of reasonable care in the maritime industry. A vessel that suffered a piracy attack without implementing BMP6 measures would have difficulty defending against insurance claims, cargo claims, or crew injury claims. In practice, most charterers, insurers, and P&I Clubs require BMP6 compliance as a condition of cover. The IRTC (International Recommended Transit Corridor): an internationally agreed corridor through the Gulf of Aden with naval coalition patrols. Vessels using the IRTC benefit from naval presence. Vessels transiting outside the IRTC are more vulnerable. Naval escort (option C): naval escorts in the HRA (Operation Atalanta, CTF-151) are NOT automatic. They must be requested in advance through MSCHOA. Naval capacity is limited — priority is given to registered vessels. Radio silence (option D): completely counterproductive. UKMTO position reporting is the primary means by which naval forces know where vessels are. A vessel that maintains radio silence cannot be protected. The citadel: a hardened safe room where all crew can lock themselves in if pirates board the vessel. Requirements: (a) watertight/blast resistant enough to delay forced entry; (b) independent communication system (satellite phone or GMDSS equipment inside); (c) food and water for 48 hours; (d) no easy emergency escape route (so crew cannot be physically extracted). If all crew are in the citadel, naval forces can board a piracy-controlled vessel knowing no hostages are accessible. Armed security (PCASP): effective deterrent. Several studies show piracy attacks on vessels with PCASP have not resulted in successful hijackings. The master's authority: the master commands the vessel — PCASP operate under the master's rules of engagement, not their own.

Question 3

At 0300 on the Gulf of Aden transit, radar shows two fast small craft approaching from astern at 25 knots, closing rapidly. Bridge is alerted. As Master, what is your immediate response sequence?

Accepted Answer

PIRACY ATTACK — MASTER'S IMMEDIATE RESPONSE: TIME IS CRITICAL — at 25 knots closure rate at 3nm, you have approximately 7 minutes before contact. SEQUENCE: (1) IMMEDIATELY: activate the Ship Security Alert System (SSAS) — transmits an alert to the flag state maritime authority silently (without alerting the attackers); (2) CALL ALL CREW TO MUSTER — or activate predetermined alarm signal for piracy threat (different from general emergency alarm to avoid confusion); (3) ALERT UKMTO IMMEDIATELY: "UKMTO Dubai, UKMTO Dubai, this is MV [name], MMSI [number], position [lat/long], I am being approached by suspected pirates, two craft at [bearing] range [nm] closing rapidly. Please provide naval assistance." VHF Channel 16 and by satellite phone (+971 50 552 3215); (4) MAXIMUM SPEED AND MANOEUVRING: increase to maximum speed. Alter course to place the craft on the stern — they must then match every course change. Create a stern wake through sharp manoeuvring (the BMP6 "evasive manoeuvring" tactic); (5) ACTIVATE CITADEL PROTOCOL: if boarding appears imminent — direct all crew to the citadel with GMDSS equipment and satellite phone. Lock down and communicate from inside; (6) WATER BARRIERS: activate fire hoses along the ship's side to create water curtains at boarding points; (7) NOTIFY FLAG STATE AND COMPANY; (8) DO NOT RESIST PHYSICALLY if armed pirates board: BMP6 recommendation — crew should not physically resist armed pirates. Comply with instructions and activate the citadel protocol. SSAS — the silent alert: the Ship Security Alert System (SOLAS XI-2/6) transmits a covert alert to the flag state without sounding an alarm on the vessel. This allows a covert alert while the vessel continues to appear normal to the attackers. The flag state contacts naval forces. UKMTO: the operational contact point for military coordination in the HRA. The UKMTO number (+971 50 552 3215) should be posted in the bridge for immediate use. MAYDAY vs piracy alert (option D): MAYDAY (in distress) is the correct call IF crew are in immediate danger. But the standard response sequence goes SSAS → UKMTO → naval coordination first. A MAYDAY call also alerts the pirates (they may be monitoring VHF). The SSAS is covert. Some masters call UKMTO on a dedicated satellite channel precisely to avoid alerting the pirates on VHF. However, in an extreme emergency — MAYDAY is always available. Turning toward the craft (option C): extremely dangerous. Pirates typically carry automatic weapons, RPGs, and are highly experienced at attacking vessels. Attempting to ram them would almost certainly result in gunfire directed at the bridge. BMP6 explicitly recommends NOT to attempt offensive manoeuvres. Evasive manoeuvring to prevent boarding, combined with the stern wake technique, is the recommended tactic. 7-minute timeline: this is why pre-positioning of crew and pre-briefing on the piracy response sequence is essential. In 7 minutes, the sequence must happen automatically — crew go to their muster stations without being told twice. The drill must have been practised.