Introduction
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40
Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Circulars - Maritime Safety Committee - MSC.1/Circular.1390 – Guidance for Company Security Officers (CSOs) – Preparation of a Company and Crew for the Contingency of HiJack by Pirates in the Western Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden – (9 December 2010) - Annex – Guidance for Company Security Officers (CSO) – Preparation of a Company and Crew for the Contingency of HiJack by Pirates in the Western Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden - Introduction

Introduction

 The purpose of this guidance is to assist the CSO in making preparations for vessels scheduled to transit through the Western Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden, an area experiencing a significant level of attacks from Somali-based pirates. The guidance is divided into 2 parts: Part 1 sets out issues to consider when preparing the crew of a vessel, and Part 2 sets out issues to consider when preparing the Company.

 Piracy in the Western Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden differs from piracy in other areas of the world because the pirates have the clear objective to capture and hold the ship and crew in order to extract a ransom. Somali pirates appear to recognize that harm or injury to the crew or its cargo may have adverse effects on negotiations and ransom amounts.

 The focus of the CSO's preparations should be directed toward preventing an attack or hijacking of the ship and/or crew. Useful advice is contained in Best Management Practices to Deter Piracy off the Coast of Somalia and in the Arabian Sea Area (BMP3) footnote, which defines a geographic "High Risk Area" for piracy attacks off the Coast of Somalia and in the Arabian Sea area. The following guidance is intended to assist CSOs in developing procedures to prepare crews for the contingency of their vessel being hijacked when transiting the High Risk Area. The guidance set out below also addresses the actions of the Company in fulfilling its responsibilities to the crew, and highlights the need to prepare crisis management plans specifically designed to handle hijacking and its effects on the crew.

 The following documents provide useful further information:

  • EUNAVFOR – "Surviving Piracy off the Coast of Somalia"
  • UN Guidance on Surviving as a Hostage
  • IMO Maritime Safety Committee circular MSC.1/Circ.1334 on Guidance to shipowners and ship operators, shipmasters and crews on preventing and suppressing acts of piracy and armed robbery against ships

 This guidance is supported by the following international industry representatives:

  • 1. International Chamber of Shipping (ICS)

  • 2. International Shipping Federation (ISF)

  • 3. International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF)

  • 4. BIMCO

  • 5. Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF)

  • 6. International Association of Independent Tanker Owners (INTERTANKO)

  • 7. International Association of Dry Cargo Ship Owners (INTERCARGO)

  • .8 International Parcel Tankers Association (IPTA)

Parent topic: Annex – Guidance for Company Security Officers (CSO) – Preparation of a Company and Crew for the Contingency of HiJack by Pirates in the Western Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden
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