a. All ships inside the GoA are strongly urged
to use the IRTC and follow MSCHOA GT advice and timings as promulgated
on the MSCHOA web site.
b.
If you intend to follow a GT through
the IRTC: Transit at the group transit speed but remain aware
of the ship’s limitations. (Current advice for example is that
if your maximum speed is 16 knots, consider joining a 14 knot GT and
keep those 2 knots in reserve.)
c.
If you do not intend to follow a GT through
the IRTC: Maintain full sea speed through the high risk area.
(Current advice is that if the maximum speed of the ship is more than
18 knots, then do not slow down for a GT, maintain speed).
d. Ships should comply with the International
Rules for Prevention of Collision at Sea at all times; navigation
lights should not be turned off at night. Follow the guidance given
by Flag State Authority (e.g., for UK ships Marine Guidance Notice
298).
e. Provide deck lighting only as required for
safety. Lighting in the shadow zones around the ship’s hull
may extend the area of visibility for lookouts, but only where consistent
with safe navigation. (Current naval advice is to transit with navigation
lights only.)
f. Keep photographs of pirate “mother ships”
on the bridge. Report immediately if sighted. Report all sightings
of suspect mother ships to UKMTO and the IMB PRC. (See Appendix 3
for an example of a Piracy Report for passing such information or
any other attack or sighting.)
g. The Master should try to make as early an assessment
of a threat as possible. As soon as the Master feels that a threat
is developing he should immediately call the UKMTO.
h. Keep a good lookout for suspicious craft, especially
from astern. Note that most attacks to date have occurred from the
port quarter.
i. Protect the crew from exposure to undue risk.
Only essential work on deck should occur in transit of the high risk
area.
j. Use light, alarm bells and crew activity to
alert suspected pirates that they have been detected.
k. A variety of other additional commercially
available non-lethal defensive measures are available that could be
considered; however these should be assessed by companies on their
merits and on the particular characteristics of the ship concerned.