WEEKLY PIRACY REPORT

01.01.2011:
 2123 UTC: Posn: 14:53.0N – 063:45.9E, about 575 nm east of Socotra island, (Off Somalia).
Pirates armed with guns chased and fired upon a tanker underway. The master increased speed, took evasive manoeuvres and managed to evade the attempted boarding.    
01.01.2011:
1536 UTC: Posn: 15:28N – 055:51E, around 130nm SE Salalah, Oman (Off Somalia).
Armed pirates attacked and hijacked a bulk carrier underway.    
01.01.2011:

01.01.2011:
 2123 UTC: Posn: 14:53.0N – 063:45.9E, about 575 nm east of Socotra island, (Off Somalia).
Pirates armed with guns chased and fired upon a tanker underway. The master increased speed, took evasive manoeuvres and managed to evade the attempted boarding.    
01.01.2011:
1536 UTC: Posn: 15:28N – 055:51E, around 130nm SE Salalah, Oman (Off Somalia).
Armed pirates attacked and hijacked a bulk carrier underway.    
01.01.2011:
1950 UTC: Posn: 02:41N – 059:17E, Off Somalia.
Armed pirates chased a tug underway. The tug released the barge it was towing to increase speed and manoeuvrability. Security team onboard fired flares. The skiffs later aborted the attack and rejoined a previously hijacked vessel.    
01.01.2010:
1321 UTC: Posn: 13:09N – 048:49E, Gulf of Aden.
Six pirates in a skiff chased, fired upon and attempted to board a chemical tanker underway. Due to evasive manoeuvres and effective anti piracy measures, the hijack was evaded.    
01.01.2011:
0754 UTC: Posn: 03:56N – 59:33E: around 672nm east of Hobyo, Somalia.
Twelve armed pirates in two skiffs chased and fired upon an anchor handling tug underway. Due to evasive manoeuvres and effective anti piracy measures the hijack was evaded. Suspected pirates mother ship    
02.01.2011:
1055 UTC: Posn: 15:29.0N – 059:23.6E, 320 nm ESE of Salalah, Oman.(Off Somalia).
Two skiffs chased a general cargo ship underway. Master raised alarm, increased speed, took evasive manoeuvres and crew threw empty drums to deter the skiffs. Finally, the skiffs stopped chasing the ship.
03.01.2010:
1039 UTC: Posn: 15:48N – 059:49E, around 330nm ESE of Salalah, Oman (Off Somalia).
Pirates in two skiffs chased, attacked and boarded a chemical tanker underway. Crew have locked down in citadel.

Operating Procedures On International Convention On Maritime Search And Rescue

Information Concerning Emergencies
Parties shall ensure that such continuous radio watches as are deemed practicable and necessary, are maintained on international distress frequencies. A coast radio station receiving any distress call or message shall:
Immediately inform the appropriate rescue co-ordination centre or rescue sub-centre;
Rebroadcast to the extent necessary to inform ships on one or more of the international distress frequencies or on any other appropriate frequency;
Precede such rebroadcasts with the appropriate automatic alarm signals unless this has already been done; and
Take such subsequent action as decided by the competent authority.
Any authority or element of the search and rescue organization having reason to believe that a vessel is in a state of emergency should give as soon as possible all available information to the rescue co-ordination centre or rescue sub-centre concerned.
Rescue co-ordination centres and rescue sub-centres shall, immediately upon receipt of information concerning a vessel in a state of emergency, evaluate such information and determine the phase of emergency in accordance with paragraph 5.2 and the extent of operation required.
 Emergency phases
For operations purposes, the following emergency phases shall be distinguished:
 Uncertainty phase:
When a vessel has been reported overdue at its destination; or when a vessel has failed to make an expected position or safety report.
Alert phase:
When, following the uncertainty phase, attempts to establish contact with the vessel have failed and inquiries addressed to other appropriate sources have been unsuccessful; or
When information has been received indicating that the operating efficiency of a vessel is impaired but not to the extent that a distress situation is likely.
Distress phase:
When positive information is received that a vessel or a person is in grave and imminent danger and in need of immediate assistance; or
When, following the alert phase, further unsuccessful attempts to establish contact with the vessel and more widespread unsuccessful inquiries point to the probability that the vessel is in distress; or
When information is received which indicates that the operating efficiency of a vessel has been impaired to the extent that a distress situation is likely.
Procedures for rescue co-ordination centres and rescue sub-centres during emergency phases
1. Upon the declaration of the uncertainty phase, the rescue co-ordination centre or rescue sub-centre, as appropriate, shall initiate inquiries in order to determine the safety of the vessel or shall declare the alert phase.
2. Upon the declaration of the alert phase, the rescue co-ordination centre or rescue sub-centre, as appropriate, shall extend the inquiries for the missing vessel, alert appropriate search and rescue services and initiate such action, as described in paragraph 5.3.3, as is necessary in the light of the circumstances of the particular case.
3. Upon the declaration of the distress phase, the rescue co-ordination centre or rescue sub-centre, as appropriate, shall:
Initiate action in accordance with the arrangements set out in paragraph
Where appropriate, estimate the degree of uncertainty of the vessel's position and determine the extent of any area to be searched;
Notify the owner of the vessel or his agent if possible and keep him informed of developments;
Notify other rescue co-ordination centres or rescue sub-centres, the help of which seems likely to be required or which may be concerned in the operation;
Request at an early stage any help which might be available from aircraft, vessels or services not specifically included in the search and rescue organization, considering that, in the majority of distress situations in ocean areas, other vessels in the vicinity are important elements for search and rescue operations;
Draw up a broad plan for the conduct of the operations from the information available and communicate such plan to the authorities designated
Amend as necessary in the light of circumstances the guidance already given
Notify the consular or diplomatic authorities concerned or, if the incident involves a refugee or displaced person, the office of the competent international organization;
Notify accident investigation authorities as appropriate; and
Notify any aircraft, vessel or other services mentioned in consultation with the authorities designated when their assistance is no longer required.