3.4 Speed:
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 - Section 3 Risk Assessment - 3.4 Speed:

3.4 Speed:

  • One of the most effective ways to defeat a pirate attack is by using speed to try to outrun the attackers and/or make it difficult to board.
  • To date, there have been no reported attacks where pirates have boarded a ship that has been proceeding at over 18 knots. It is possible however that pirate tactics and techniques may develop to enable them to board faster moving ships.
  • Ships are recommended to proceed at Full Sea Speed, or at least 18 knots where they are capable of greater speed,throughout their transit of the High Risk Area.
  • It is very important to increase to maximum safe speed immediately after identifying any suspicious vessel and as quickly as possible in order to try to open the CPA (Closest Point of Approach) from any possible attackers and/or make the vessel more difficult to board.
  • If a vessel is part of a ‘Group Transit’ (see section 7.9 for further details of Group Transits) within the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC), speed may be required to be adjusted.
  • It is recommended that reference should be made to the MSCHOA, NATO Shipping Centre and MARLO websites for the latest threat guidance regarding pirate attack speed capability.
Parent topic: Section 3 Risk Assessment
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