Somalia

Al Shabaab, a proscribed terrorist group, and other groups opposed to the Somali government continue to carry out attacks in and around Mogadishu. Unconfirmed numbers of civilians of all ages have been killed in the serious fighting, which often involves heavy weapons.

There is a dangerous level of criminal activity by numerous bodies of armed militia throughout Somalia. As a result there have been murders, armed robbery and a number of incidents of kidnapping.

Also see General

Polio remains a major problem in Somalia. With cases occurring outside the capital there remains the risk of continued spread of wild polio both in Somalia and to neighbouring countries.

Also see General

Reporting of incidents occurring elsewhere: Ships are advised to maintain strict anti-piracy watches and report all piratical pirate attacks (actual and attempted) and suspicious sightings to the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

T: +60 (3) 2078 5763. F: + 60 (3) 2078 5769. [email protected]

24 hr. Anti-Piracy help-line T: + 60 (3) 2031 0014.

The Internationally Recognised Transit Corridor (IRTC) Co-ordinates: The corridor includes the creation of a separate eastbound and westbound transit lanes. Each lane is width 5.0 n.m. with 2.0 n.m. buffer zone.

Vessels join at Points A or B at scheduled times and proceed through the transit corridor together.

Masters using the IRTC and those following group transits, are not relieved of their obligation and should continue to maintain a strict 24 hour lookout using all available means to get early warnings of an approaching threat.

Masters are also reminded that all suspicious/actual attacks reported to the coalition warship, should be reported to the 24 hour IMB piracy reporting centre. Vessels transiting the Gulf of Aden are advised to register with the EU. The EU webpage is www.mschoa.org Vessels/Owners are advised to register their details and obtain further information regarding the close support protection/transit corridor for vessels transiting the Gulf of Aden. Vessels would be encouraged to conduct their passage through the IRTC in groups based on their transit speed (Gulf of Aden group transits). Military assets (naval and air) will be strategically deployed within the area to best provide protection and support.

Masters are also advised to maintain a listening watch on VHF Channels 16, 8 and 72. Warships make advisory calls, ″Securite″ broadcasts, to announce their location and in turn will also listen for merchant ships calling them.

Vessels are advised to keep more than 600 n.m. from the coastline and when routeing north/south, keeping east of Long. 60° 00′ E until east of the Seychelles.

In view of the recent attacks, all vessels are advised, when proceeding to/from South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya and Somalia to consider routeing south of Lat. 10° 00′ S and east of Long. 060° 00′ E, avoiding the area between the Somali coast and north and west of the Seychelles. Mariners are advised to report any suspicious boats to the European Union Maritime Security Centre. A 24-hour visual and radar watch must be maintained as early sightings/detection and accurate assessment will allow Masters to take evasive action and increase speed, and at the same time request for assistance and escape.

Due to the unprecedented number of Somali pirate incidents, the IMB calls for all Masters transiting the Gulf of Aden, southern Red Sea, off Oman, east coast of Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, Seychelles and Madagascar to report all sightings of suspected pirate mother ships to the PRC. This vital intelligence will then be used to identify and target the mother ships. This will enable appropriate action to be taken in response.