Description:
This revised advisory cancels U.S. Maritime Advisory 2018-015
1.
References: (a) U.S. Maritime Alerts 2018-001A, 2018-002A, 2018-002B,
2018-005A, and 2018-007A
2. Issues: Regional conflict and piracy threats continue to pose potential
risks to commercial vessels operating in the above listed geographic areas.
3. Conflict in Yemen continues to pose potential risk to U.S. flagged
commercial vessels transiting the southern Red Sea, Bab al Mandeb Strait and
Gulf of Aden despite the current cease-fire between the Houthis and the
Saudi-led Coalition in the vicinity of Al Hudaydah, Yemen. Since 2016, this
conflict has threatened coalition navy and logistics vessels. In May 2018, a
missile or rocket damaged a Turkish-flagged bulk cargo vessel while at anchor
in the Red Sea awaiting entry into As-Salif, Yemen. Potential attacks continue
to pose a direct or collateral risk to U.S. flagged commercial vessels
operating in the region.
4. Additionally, piracy continues to pose a threat in the Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean, and Gulf of Oman. Specific case details are available at the Office of Naval Intelligence’s “Worldwide Threat to Shipping” and “Piracy Analysis and Warnings” website at https://go.usa.gov/xUa5p.
5.
Guidance: With regard to the conflict in Yemen, U.S. flagged commercial vessels
are advised to avoid entering or loitering near Yemen’s Red Sea ports. Vessels
at anchor, operating in restricted maneuvering environments, or proceeding at
slow speeds should be especially vigilant. U.S. flagged commercial vessels
transiting the conflict area should conduct a pre-voyage risk assessment and
incorporate appropriate protective measures into their vessel security plans.
Threats may come from a variety of different sources including, but not limited
to, missiles, projectiles, mines, small arms, or waterborne improvised
explosive devices. Vessels in the conflict area should report hostile activities
immediately and contact coalition naval forces on VHF Channel 16. U.S. flagged
commercial vessels should also contact the U.S. Fifth Fleet Naval Cooperation
and Guidance for Shipping (NCAGS) detachment via the Fifth Fleet Battle Watch
Captain at phone: +011 973 1785 3879 or email: cusnc.ncags_bw@me.navy.mil prior
to entering the conflict area. Suspicious activities and incidents are
also required to be reported by U.S. flagged commercial vessels to the U.S.
Coast Guard National Response Center at phone: 1-800-424-8802 per 33 CFR Part
101.305. Vessels operating in this region are also advised to establish contact
with the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). UKMTO advisories,
warnings, and contact info are available at www.ukmto.org. Additional U.S. Coast Guard
port specific requirements may be found in Port Security Advisory 1-18
at: https://go.usa.gov/xUa57.
6. With regard to piracy, the newly released Best Management Practices to Deter
Piracy and Enhance Maritime Security in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Indian Ocean
and Arabian Sea (BMP5), and Maritime Global Security website at: www.maritimeglobalsecurity.org (which
contains BMP5) provide excellent security recommendations and should be
consulted prior to operating in the above listed geographic areas.
7. U.S. flagged commercial vessels operating within High Risk Waters (HRW), as
defined in U.S. Coast Guard MARSEC Directive 104-6, are required to comply with
its requirements due to the risk of piracy, kidnapping, hijacking, and armed
robbery in the HRW. Vessels are further advised to:
• Navigate
at least 200 nautical miles from the Somali coast to the extent practicable
• Follow the guidance in Best Management Practices 5, BMP5 www.maritimeglobalsecurity.org;
and
• Comply with their Coast Guard approved Vessel Security Plan annex on
counter piracy
8.
Mariners operating near this area are also advised to consult Department of
State Travel Advisories at: https://go.usa.gov/xUa5F. Transit by yachts
and privately owned sailing vessels through the region is also extremely
hazardous and may result in capture. The U.S. Coast Guard advises against all
operation of yacht and pleasure craft in these areas. American citizens abroad
should inform the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate of their plans to transit
the area and/or update their information via the Smart Traveler Enrollment
Program (STEP) at: https://go.usa.gov/xEYEE. Yachting
guidance can be found at: http:www.mschoa.org/on-shore/home.
9. Contact Information: For maritime industry questions about this
advisory, contact the Global Maritime Operational Threat Response Coordination
Center at: GMCC@uscg.mil.
10. Cancellation of Prior Advisories: This message cancels U.S. Maritime
Advisory 2018-015.
11. This Advisory will automatically expire on December 23, 2019.
For more information about U.S. Maritime Alerts and Advisories, including subscription details, please visit http://www.marad.dot.gov/MSCI
Status:
Active