Advice to Masters

General advice to Masters transiting thru / calling at ports of piratical / armed robbery:

The best form of defence is to ensure that a threat of an attack is detected at an early stage - hence a proper all round lookout using all available means is of vital importance.

In most of the incidents as soon as the pirates / armed robbers know that they thave been spotted they will abandon the attack

  • Follow company and ship specific procedures
  • Follow advice in IMO circular MSC.1/Circ.1334 (23 June 2009)

In Addition:

  • Be aware of the sea areas / and ports affected by piracy and armed robbery (the PRC broadcasts regularly to ships in the IOR and AOR regions. See Live Piracy Map)
  • Brief crew: Inform them to be vigilant and inform bridge / duty officer of anything suspicious / not normal
  • The attitude “this will not happen to me” should be strongly discouraged
  • Conduct a drill prior to entering a high risk area. This will ensure emergency communication procedures are tested and contact information is readily available
  • Ensure all crew are fully aware of alarm procedures and muster stations
  • Keeping in mind multi national crews - all internal communications should be carried out in the working language of the ship
  • Master to adjust ship routines prior to entering high risk area to ensure well rested and additional crew on watch at all times
  • Ensure blind spots and dark areas are lit up (ensure lighting does not hamper safe navigation and lookout duties)
  • Ensure the deck watch work in pairs at all times
  • Ensure rounds on deck are taken at irregular intervals
  • Reporting from deck to bridge at regular intervals (if reporting not done it is the first indication that there is something wrong)
  • Be especially vigilant during watch change over times
  • Keeping in mind watchkeepers on deck - access into the accommodation, bridge, steering gear room and engine room to be secured.
  • Rig and pressurise fire hoses prior to entry into high risk areas
  • Depending on ship type - engine room to be manned
  • Keep security / urgency messages ready to transmit while transiting high-risk areas
  • Keep important telephone numbers ready at hand especially those of CSO, Flag State and PRC
  • Have a designated communications officer (this will ensure the master is able to concentrate and deal with the situation rather than being distracted by communication procedures)
  • If applicable keep emergency checklist ready at hand
  • Test the SSAS as required by manufacturer
  • It is vital that all incidents are reported to the PRC (actual, attempted, suspicious)
  • Masters should evaluate the situation and report the incident as soon as it develops, this will ensure that there is time for assistance to be made available. In the event of attack:
  1. Raise Alarm, Muster Crew
  2. Increase Speed
  3. Commence evasive manoeuvres and use bow wave and stern wash to prevent the small boats approaching close to the ship
  4. Identify the mother vessel and move away from it (if there is one)
  5. Steam away from land
  6. Head into the sea and swell: this makes it more difficult for boats to come alongside
  • In the event of pirates boarding and gaining control of the bridge it is essential to try to keep calm and follow the instructions of the pirates in order to avoid physical confrontation. The master should at all times endeavour to keep the vessel in command to prevent collision / grounding etc.

Contact the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre