Suspicious or Aggressive Approach
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40
Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Circulars - Maritime Safety Committee - MSC.1/Circular.1339 – Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Waters off the Coast of Somalia – (14 September 2011)Best Management Practices for Protection against Somalia Based Piracy - Annex 2 - Annex C – Piracy Definitions - Suspicious or Aggressive Approach

Suspicious or Aggressive Approach

  4. Guidelines for defining suspicious activity:

  • Action taken by another craft may be deemed suspicious if any of the following occur (the list is not exhaustive):
 
  • A definite course alteration towards the craft associated with a rapid increase in speed, by the suspected craft, which cannot be accounted for as normal activity in the circumstances prevailing in the area.
 
  • Small craft sailing on the same course and speed for an uncommon period and distance, not in keeping with normal fishing, or other circumstances prevailing in the area.
 
  • Sudden changes in course towards the vessel and aggressive behaviour.

  5. Guidance Note:

  • In helping to evaluate suspicious activity, the following may be of assistance to determine the nature of a suspect vessel:

  1. The number of crew on board relative to its size.

  2. The Closest Point of Approach (CPA).

  3. The existence of unusual and non-fishing equipment, e.g. ladders, climbing hooks or large amounts of fuel onboard.

  4. If the craft is armed in excess of the level commonly experienced in the area.

  5. If weapons are fired in the air.

  • This is not an exhaustive listing. Other events, activity and craft may be deemed suspicious by the Master of a merchant vessel having due regard to their own seagoing experiences within the High Risk Area and information shared amongst the international maritime community. The examples above are to be treated only as guidance and are not definitive or exhaustive.
Parent topic: Annex C – Piracy Definitions
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