Piracy

Armed Guards / Firearms Authorization Procedure (RA-03)

• MSC.1/Circ.1405/Rev.2, Revised Interim Guidance to Shipowners, Ship Operators and Shipmasters on the Use of Privately Contracted Armed Security Personnel On Board Ships in the High Risk Area (25 May 2012)
• MSC.1/Circ.1443, Interim Guidance to Private Maritime Security Companies Providing Privately Contracted Armed Security Personnel On Board Ships in the High Risk Area (25 May 2012)

Required RMI Forms

• RA-01, PMSC/PCASP Information Request Form (IRF)
• RA-02, PMSC/PCASP Assessment Report

Piracy-Related Marine Notices

MN-2-011-39, Piracy, Armed Robbery, and the Use of Armed Security

Piracy-Related Marine Guidelines

MG-2-11-12, Guidance for Company Security Officers on Preparing a Company and Crew for the Contingency of a Hijacking by Pirates (Western Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden)

MG-2-11-14, Maritime Security off the Coast of West Africa, including the Gulf of Guinea

Regional and Global Counter Piracy Guidelines

BMP5 – Indian Ocean Region – Best Management Practices to Deter Piracy and Enhance Maritime Security in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea (June, 2018)

Global Counter Piracy Guidance for Companies, Masters and Seafarers (June 2018)

BMP West Africa – Best Management Practices to Deter Piracy and Enhance Maritime Security off the Coast of West Africa including the Gulf of Guinea

Southeast Asia/ReCAAP BMPs – Regional Guide 2: To Counter Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia (March 2022)

Recommended / Required Security Levels

See security levels

Important Counter Piracy Contacts

Incidents of piracy, armed robbery, suspicious activity, or suspected pirate mother ships should be reported to the appropriate authorities as soon as the threat develops.

See contact list

Important Counter Piracy Links

Below are links to various websites that provide worldwide terrorist and piracy threat updates and information helpful in understanding, implementing, and maintaining compliance with maritime security regulations.

United States Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI)

ONI provides maritime intelligence on weapons and technology proliferation and smuggling and illicit maritime activities. ONI directly supports the US Navy, joint war fighters and national decision makers and agencies. Click on the above link to access ONI’s latest Piracy Analysis and Warning Weekly and World Wide Threat to Shipping reports.

International Maritime Organization (IMO)

The IMO is the UN’s specialized agency responsible for safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine pollution by ships. Click on the above link to access IMO’s Piracy and Armed Robbery webpage.

NATO Shipping Centre (NSC)

NSC has been helping to deter and disrupt pirate attacks, while protecting vessels and helping to increase the general level of security in the region since 2008. Click on the above link to view NATO’s Weekly Piracy Update.

International Maritime Bureau Piracy Reporting Centre (IMB-PRC)

Dedicated to the prevention of trade finance, maritime, transport, and trade fraud and malpractice, the IMB is a focal point for the international trading and shipping industry and those associated with facilitating the movement of goods. The IMB also manages the IMB-PRC, which is dedicated to the suppression of piracy and armed robbery against ships.

Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP)

ReCAAP is the first regional government-to-government agreement to promote and enhance cooperation against piracy and armed robbery in Asia.

Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) / Combined Task Force 151 (CTF 151)

In accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolutions, and in cooperation with CMF coastal states, CTF 151’s mission is to deter, disrupt, and suppress piracy and armed robbery at sea and to engage with regional and other partners to strengthen relevant capabilities in order to protect global maritime commerce and secure freedom of navigation.

INTERPOL Maritime Piracy Task Force

The INTERPOL Maritime Piracy Task Force works with police, the military, and the private sector in member countries and other international and regional organizations such as the UN, the IMO, and the EU to improve evidence collection, facilitate data exchange, and build regional capabilities.