Worldwide Threat to Shipping (WTS) Report 14 March – 15 April 2015

UNCLASSIFIED
OFFICE OF NAVAL INTELLIGENCE
(U) WORLDWIDE: Worldwide Threat to Shipping (WTS) Report
14 March – 15 April 2015
16 April 2015
(U) Table of Contents
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
(U) Scope Note
(U) Summary
(U) Counter-Piracy and Maritime Crime Announcements and Advisories
(U) Details: Monthly Incidents by Region
(U) Appendix A: Further Contact Information and Resources
(U) Appendix B: Terminology and References
1. (U) Scope Note
(U) The Worldwide Threat to Shipping (WTS) message provides info on piracy threats to, and criminal action
against, merchant vessels worldwide in the last 30 days. This report is produced primarily to inform merchant
mariners and naval forces.
2. (U) Summary
A. (U) PHILIPPINES: On 13 April, media reports indicate that two Chinese seafarers died and a third was critically
injured after being attacked by another crewmember aboard MV QING MAY, a Liberian-flagged bulk carrier.
B. (U) LIBYA: On 13 April, people smugglers fired several shots at rescue vessels during a search and rescue
operation near Libya.
C. (U) NIGERIA: During the weekend of 11-12 April, ten pirates in two speedboats boarded MT IMAS near Lagos
Anchorage.
D. (U) INDONESIA: On 11 April, an anchored bulk carrier was boarded 12 nm north-northeast of Bintan Island.
E. (U) NIGERIA: On 10 April suspected pirates attacked a passenger boat along the waterways of Brass.
F. (U) NIGERIA: On 9 April, two robbers boarded an anchored product tanker in Lagos Anchorage.
G. (U) BANGLADESH: On 8 April, pirates boarded and looted three small fishing boats and kidnapped three
fishermen near the Sunderbans.
H. (U) NIGERIA: On 8 April, three local Nigerian workers were kidnapped from a crew boat off the coast of Nigeria.
I. (U) HONDURAS: On 15 March, four armed pirates hijacked a rented sailboat enroute from Belize to the
Honduran island of Roatan.
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
3. (U) Counter-Piracy and Maritime Crime Announcements and Advisories
A. (U) GULF OF ADEN: Government of Japan convoy schedule for April 2015. To apply for JMSDF escort, visit
http://www.mlit.go.jp/en/maritime/maritime_fr2_000000.html, please contact directly the Anti-Piracy Contact and
Coordination Office, Maritime Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MILT), Japan: Tel:
+81-3-5253-8932 Fax: +81-3-5253-1643 Email: [email protected]. (MSCHOA)
B. (U) GULF OF ADEN: Korean Navy convoy schedule for April 2015. All merchant vessels wishing to join the
convoy group must submit their application forms directly to the ROK naval warship carrying out the mission. The
ROK MTG can be reached directly at INMARSAT: 00-870-773-110-374, Email: [email protected].
(MSCHOA)
C. (U) GULF OF ADEN: Chinese Navy convoy schedule for April 2015. For further information, please e-mail
[email protected], or call Tel: 86 10 652 92218/96, Fax: 86 10 652 92245. (MSCHOA)
D. (U) GULF OF ADEN: Indian Navy convoy escort schedule for April 2015. To register, email
[email protected] or visit www.dgshipping.com. Telephone numbers for contact are: 91-2222614646 or fax at 91-22- 22613636. (MSCHOA)
E. (U) GULF OF ADEN: Russian Navy convoy escort schedule for April 2015. For further information e-mail
[email protected], or, [email protected] or fax +7 (499) 642-83-29. (MSCHOA).
4. (U) Details: Monthly Incidents by Region
(U) This section lists reports of active violence against shipping, credible threats to shipping, or the potential for a
situation to develop into a direct threat to shipping over the last 30 days. Designation of a high-threat area is based
on an assessment of all-source information relating to the existence of, or potential for, piracy and other crime,
terrorism, civil unrest, or low-intensity conflict. Every effort is made to ensure that incidents are not double-counted.
In the event double-counting is detected, or an incident is later learned to be different than initially reported, an
explanation of the cancellation of the inaccurate report will be made in at least one message prior to dropping the
erroneous report.
A. (U) NORTH AMERICA: No current incidents to report.
B. (U) CENTRAL AMERICA - CARIBBEAN - SOUTH AMERICA:
Figure 1. Central America - Caribbean - South America
Piracy and Maritime Crime
UNCLASSIFIED
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1. (U) HONDURAS: On 15 March, four armed pirates hijacked a rented sailboat enroute from Belize to the
Honduran island of Roatan. The pirates threatened the married couple and boat captain with violence, and
grounded the sailboat in Escondido Bay, in Jeanette Kawas National Park. The pirates ransacked the boat,
damaging most of the equipment and abandoned the three people in the jungle, who lived on peanut butter, cheese
and rainwater for four days until their SOS messages were discovered by people camping nearby. After their
rescue, they met Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández, who happened to be staying in the nearby town of
Tela, where they were taken after the attack. He offered them a presidential helicopter ride to the nearest airport.
The Honduran government also payed for the couple's flight to Mexico, where they are now recovering.
(www.noonsite.com)
2. (U) BRAZIL: During the last week of March, there were two boardings of sailing yachts near position 12: 59 S –
038:42 W, Ilha de Itaparica. One boarding occurred during night hours while the other occurred during the day.
Four local individuals were reportedly arrested after the daylight boarding. It is unknown if they are responsible for
other incidents in the area, to include a landside assault on the crew of a third sailing yacht during this time frame.
(www.noonsite.com)
3. (U) COLOMBIA: On 23 March, two robbers boarded a sailing yacht near position 10:24 N – 075:32 W, Club
Nautico, Cartagena. The owner of the yacht yelled a warning at the robbers, who jumped overboard to escape.
(www.noonsite.com)
C. (U) ATLANTIC OCEAN AREA: No current incidents to report.
D. (U) NORTHERN EUROPE - BALTIC: No current incidents to report.
E. (U) MEDITERRANEAN - BLACK SEA:
Figure 2. Mediterranean - Black Sea Piracy and Maritime Crime
1. (U) LIBYA: On 13 April, people smugglers fired several shots at vessels during a search and rescue operation,
the European Union border agency Frontex reported. The international agency said shots were fired in an attempt
to recover a wooden boat used for transporting migrants to Italy. The incident occurred 60 nautical miles from the
Libyan coast after an Italian tugboat and Icelandic Coast Guard vessel TYR deployed by Frontex rescued
immigrants from a vessel. They were later approached by a speedboat that, after firing several shots at the
rescuers, sped away with the empty migrant boat. This is the second time in 2015 that armed smugglers took back
a vessel used to transport migrants following a rescue operation in the central Mediterranean, Frontex said.
(www.ibtimes.co.uk)
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
F. (U) WEST AFRICA:
Figure 3. West Africa Piracy and Maritime Crime
1. (U) NIGERIA: During the weekend of 11-12 April, ten pirates in two speedboats boarded MT IMAS near Lagos
Anchorage. The crew of the ship was able to make a distress call, resulting in a Nigerian Navy patrol ship quickly
responding and capturing one of the pirates and forcing the remainder to flee their captured ship. Western Naval
Command Flag Officer Commanding, Rear Admiral Jonathan Ango, said in a statement after the event: “If there are
any miscreants or hoodlums who think they can use the waterways to cause any harm or damage, we want to let
them know the navy is very much ready and up to the task to prevent them from doing that.” (www.thisdaylive.com;
www.vesselfinder.com)
2. (U) NIGERIA: On 10 April suspected pirates boarded a passenger boat and robbed five aides to the Deputy
Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Chief Sam Ateki, along the waterways of Brass in Brass Local
Government Area of the State. (gCaptain, Al Bawaba Business )
3. (U) NIGERIA: On 9 April, two robbers boarded an anchored product tanker near position 06:17 N - 003:23 E,
Lagos Anchorage. The onboard Nigerian Naval personal spotted the robbers and fired warning shots resulting in
the robbers jumping overboard to escape. A Nigerian patrol boat captured one of the robbers. (IMB)
4. (U) NIGERIA: On 8 April, three local Nigerian workers were kidnapped from a crew boat off the coast of Nigeria,
French offshore services provider Bourbon Offshore said in a statement. Following the incident, Bourbon activated
an emergency unit in Nigeria to deal with the situation. The company added that it’s Bourbon Interoil Nigeria
subsidiary is in contact with the families of those kidnapped. (gCaptain)
5. (U) GUINEA: On 1 April, six robbers boarded an anchored ship near position 09:30 N – 013:42 W, 2.7 nm south
of the fairway buoy at Conakry. An alert deck officer sounded the general alarm and informed the captain. The deck
watch informed the watch officer that the boat attached a bamboo stick with a hook to the deck of the vessel. The
deck watch tried to remove the hook and one of the pirates pointed an AK-47 at him. Deck watchman departed the
area for safety and the crew retreated to the safe room. Attempts by the vessel to contact port control went
unanswered. A patrol boat was eventually contacted by the vessel via VHF and reported to the area. Surrounding
waters were checked and nothing was found. The vessel was checked thoroughly and nothing was noted to be
missing. (www.mtisc-gog.org)
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6. (U) NIGERIA: On 30 March, five staff members of a large oil company were kidnapped by unknown gunmen 20
hours after the Presidential elections. Sources confirmed that this incident occurred on Monday at a Floating
Storage and Offloading Vessel in Ibeno Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, located within the oil-rich
Niger Delta area of Nigeria. (www.ventures-africa.com)
7. (U) NIGERIA: On 21 March, six armed pirates boarded an anchored floating production, storage and offload
ship near YOHO position 04:02 N – 007:31 E, 36 nm southeast of Bonny Islands. The pirates entered the
accommodation area, but were deterred by the sounding of the alarm. The pirates managed to kidnap three
crewmen as they fled. (IMB; www.mtisc-gog.com)
8. (U) IVORY COAST: On 25 March, four robbers boarded a berthed refrigerated cargo ship near position 05:15N
– 004:00 W, Fishing Port Berth DNP 23, Abidjan. Second Officer on routine rounds noticed the padlock to the
central store room missing. As he opened the door to investigate four robbers pushed him and escaped. One
robber jumped overboard while the other three left the vessel by the gangway. Local security watch observed the
situation, but did not take any action. Alarm was raised, crew was mustered, and a search was carried out. A
number of cartons had been removed from the cargo holds and lay ready to lower into a wooden boat. However, no
cargo was stolen. (IMB)
9. (U) NIGERIA: On 24 March, a possible pirate attack was reported near position 04:05 N – 007:30 E, 20 nm south
of Port Harcourt. (MTISC-GOG)
10. (U) NIGERIA: On 19 March, six pirates armed with rifles boarded an offshore supply vessel near position 04:14
N -008:02 E, 19 nm south of Kwa Ibo. Ship’s Master raised the alarm, sent SSAS alert, and mustered the crew.
Two crew members were kidnapped. The Nigerian Navy dispatched a patrol boat to the location 15 minutes after
the call. Remaining crew reported safe. (IMB; MTISC-GOG)
11. (U) CONGO: On 14 March, robbers boarded an anchored barge vessel near position 04:45 S - 011:48 E,
Pointe Noire Outer Anchorage. They broke open a store room, stole ship properties and escaped unnoticed. The
incident was discovered the next morning. (IMB)
G.
(U) INDIAN OCEAN - EAST AFRICA:
1. (U) SOMALIA: On 23 March, an Iranian-flagged fishing boat was reportedly hijacked while illegally fishing near
Ceel Huur, in the Mudug region of the country. Initial reports suggested that local maritime police had arrested the
illegal fishermen and impounded their vessel, but a senior official in the Himan and Heeb administration has denied
their forces were involved. (AFP)
H. (U) ARABIAN GULF: No current incidents to report.
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
I.
(U) EAST ASIA - SOUTHEAST ASIA - INDIAN SUBCONTINENT:
Figure 4. Southeast Asia - Indian Subcontinent
Piracy and Maritime Crime
Figure 5. Southeast Asia - Indian Subcontinent
Piracy and Maritime Crime
UNCLASSIFIED
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1. (U) PHILIPPINES: On 13 April, media reports indicate that two Chinese seafarers died and a third was critically
injured after being attacked by another crewmember aboard the Liberian-flagged bulk carrier MV QING MAY. The
exact details of the incident are unclear, but the Philippine Coast Guard were called to provide medical assistance
for crewmembers of the ship, which requested to dock at Zamboanga City in the southern Philippines. Once aboard
the ship, Coast Guard personnel found two crewmembers dead and another injured, allegedly with the murder
weapon, believed to be knife or axe, still stuck in his head. The injured crewmember was taken to a local hospital in
Zamboanga City. (gCaptain)
2. (U) INDONESIA: On 11 April, duty crewman onboard a bulk carrier anchored near position 01:25 N - 104:37 E,
12 nm north-northeast of Bintan Island, noticed robbers on the poop deck. He immediately informed the duty
officer. The alarm was raised and crew alerted. Seeing the crew response, the robbers fled empty handed. (IMB)
3. (U) BANGLADESH: On 8 April, pirates boarded and looted three small fishing boats, and kidnapped three
fishermen, near the Sunderbans. Initially, 25 other fishermen were taken hostage, and then all but three were
released. A ransom has been demanded and local police have been notified. (www.telegraphindia.com)
4. (U) MALAYSIA: On 3 April, two robbers boarded a berthed general cargo ship near position 05:48 N - 118:05 E,
Sandakan Port Berth No. 4. The alarm was raised and crew mustered. Seeing the crew alertness, the robbers
escaped with stolen ship properties. Local police boarded the vessel for investigation. (IMB)
5. (U) INDONESIA: On 1 April, up to 25 pirates armed hijacked the underway petroleum product tanker MT
DONGFANG GLORY near position 02:09 N – 107:32 E, 62 nm north of Pulau Uwi. They took the crew hostage,
damaged all the bridge equipment, and stole crew personal belongings. The pirates also transferred the ship’s fuel
cargo into another vessel and escaped. All crew are safe. (IMO; www.thestar.com.my)
6. (U) INDIA: On 30 March, four robbers in a fishing boat approached an anchored dredger near position 16:59 N –
082:18 E, Kakinada Inner Anchorage. Two robbers boarded the ship. They were noticed by the 2nd Officer on
routine rounds, who informed the bridge and raised the alarm. Seeing the crew response, the robbers fled empty
handed. (IMB; NGA)
7. (U) INDONESIA: On 29 March, three robbers boarded a cargo ship near position 01:05.15N - 103:35.2E, 3.8 nm
south-southwest of Nipah Island. Duty crewman saw the robbers and raised the alarm. The crew mustered on the
bridge and all the water tight doors were secured. The crew subsequently searched the vessel and discovered that
the robbers had stolen spare engine parts. Singapore Vessel Traffic Information System informed. (IMB)
8. (U) MALAYSIA: On 29 March, the Nigerian-flagged fishing vessel, FV VIKING, was detained in Malaysia
for violations of Malaysian maritime law and possible illegal, unregulated, unreported (IUU) fishing violations. The
vessel was detained with 18 crew onboard; one Chilean, two Peruvian and 15 Indonesian citizens. The master of
the vessel, whose nationality is unknown, has been arrested. (www. www.maritime-executive.com)
9. (U) THAILAND: On 25 March, four robbers armed with knives boarded a berthed bulk carrier near position 13:17
N – 100:31 E, Dolphin Buoy No.16, Bangkok. Crewmembers raised the alarm and mustered. Seeing the crew
response, the robbers fled with stolen ship’s properties. (IMB)
10. (U) VIETNAM: On 25 March, four robbers armed with knives boarded an anchored bulk carrier near position
20:41 N – 107:17 E, 8.4 nm southeast of Hon Gai. When the duty officer raised the alarm, the robbers fled with
some of the ship’s stores. Agent and port authorities were notified. (IMB)
11. (U) VIETNAM: On 23 March, robbers boarded an anchored wood chip carrier near position 20:43N - 107:11E,
Cailan Outer Anchorage. The robbers broke into the forward store room, stole ship’s property and escaped
unnoticed. (IMB)
12. (U) MALAYSIA: On 22 March, ten pirates armed with guns and knives hijacked a tug towing a barge near
position 02:50.6N -104:30.7E, 18 nm east of Tioman Island. They entered the bridge, apprehended the bridge
team, then took them to the Chief Engineer's cabin where they robbed and held them hostage. The pirates then
took the Chief Engineer to the engine room and transferred part of the tugs bunkers into a small tanker. The
entire operation lasted about five hours. (IMB)
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
13 (U) INDONESIA: On 21 March, seven robbers armed with knives boarded an underway container ship near
position 01:07 N - 103:34 E: 5 nm west-southwest of Nipah Island. They robbed the Duty Engineer of his personal
belongings, tied him up, and fled. The duty wiper on routine rounds found the bound Duty Engineer, released
him and informed the Master who informed the VTIS. Singapore Coast Guard boarded the vessel for investigation.
All crew safe. (IMB)
14. (U) INDONESIA: On 21 March, four robbers boarded an underway bulk carrier near position 01:13 N - 103:58
E, 2.8 nm northwest of Batam Island. Duty Engineer spotted the robbers and informed the bridge. Alarm was
raised, crew mustered, and Ship’s Master informed the VTIS. Seeing the crew response, the robbers escaped
empty handed. Singapore Coast Guard boarded the vessel for investigation. All crew safe. (IMB)
15. (U) INDONESIA: On 21 March, five robbers armed with a gun and knives boarded an anchored bulk carrier
near position 03:56 N – 098:45 E, Belawan Anchorage. They took hostage a duty crewman and tied him up. The
robbers stole ship's stores from the paint locker and escaped. The crewman managed to untie himself and inform
bridge who raised the alarm. Crew mustered and a search was carried out. (IMB)
16. (U) PHILIPPINES: On 20 March an unknown number of persons in four speed boats approached an underway
bulk carrier near position 06:00N – 119:13E, 27 nm west-northwest of Pearl Bank. Ship’s Master raised the alarm,
called the Malaysian Navy via VHF channel, increased speed, took evasive maneuvers, mustered the crew and
activated anti-piracy preventive measures. The boats chased the ship for 20 minutes and then moved away. (IMB)
17. (U) INDONESIA: On 19 March, three robbers boarded an underway bulk carrier near position 01:16 N - 104:16
E 5.5 nm north of Batam Island. Duty crewman noticed the robbers and informed the bridge. Alarm raised and the
entire crew mustered at the bridge. Master informed VTIS who then dispatched a patrol boat to investigate. The
robbers escaped when the patrol boat approached the vessel. All crew safe. (IMB)
18. (U) INDIA: On 16 March, an unknown number of robbers boarded an anchored product tanker near position
17:38 N – 083:25 E, Visakhapatnam anchorage. The robbers stole ship’s stores and escaped unnoticed. The theft
was detected the next morning. (IMB)
19. (U) THAILAND: On 17 March officials in Thailand announced that they had arrested FV KUNLUN in Phuket on
suspicion of illegal fishing. The KUNLUN attempted to avoid detection by entering the Thai port under the name
TAISHAN and claiming to be flagged in Indonesia. The vessel has a long history of illegal fishing in the Southern
Ocean and is the subject of an INTERPOL Purple Notice seeking information on the individuals and networks that
own, operate and profit from the actions of the vessel. Since 2008, the poaching vessel reportedly changed names
at least ten times in order to avoid prosecution. (www.worldfishing.net; www.maritime-executive.com.)
J.
(U) NORTH ASIA: No current incidents to report.
K. (U) PACIFIC OCEAN - SOUTHERN OCEAN: No current incidents to report.
5. (U) Appendix A: Further Contact Information and Resources
(U) This appendix provides contact information for the author of the WTS as well as other entities that can be
contacted with maritime crime reports. It also lists other resources where the WTS is posted and where piracy and
maritime crime incident information can be found.
(U) Contact
(U) Originator of this WTS report requests consumer feedback. Originator will incorporate all anti-shipping events
and violence against the maritime industry into this weekly message where appropriate. To aid in our reporting,
please add the Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) to your normal corporate and organizational reporting
requirements. The 24-hour watch can be reached at +1 (301) 669-4053.
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
(U) Other Resources
(U) This Worldwide Threat to Shipping Report is posted at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency’s Maritime
Safety site: http://msi.nga.mil/NGAPortal/MSI.portal. The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) also publishes a live
piracy report based on reporting from the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, listing all piracy
and armed robbery incidents in the last ten days: http://www.icc-ccs.org/. The PAWW and WTS Reports are posted
weekly on the ONI Intel Portal: http://www.oni.navy.mil/Intelligence_Community/piracy.htm.
6. (U) Appendix B: Terminology and References
(U) This appendix is provided to promote consistent use of accurate terms of reference in reporting and also
identifies those references that were used to gather the information contained in this report. ONI welcomes
comment and suggestions for addition or amendment.
(U) Terminology
(U) In order to promote consistent use of accurate terms of reference, the following have been adopted to describe
the range of criminal anti-shipping activity and impediments to safe navigation in our worldwide reporting and
analysis. Please note that these terms relate to observable activity and are independent of target vessel status and
exclude actions by governmental powers in lawful pursuit of their authorities:

(U) Attempted Boarding – Close approach or hull-to-hull contact with report that boarding paraphernalia were
employed or visible in the approaching boat.
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(U) Blocking – Hampering safe navigation, docking, or undocking of a vessel as a means of protest.
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(U) Boarding – Unauthorized boarding of a vessel by persons not part of its complement without successfully
taking control of the vessel.
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(U) Firing Upon – Weapons discharged at or toward a vessel.
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(U) Hijacking – Unauthorized seizure and retention of a vessel by persons not part of its complement.
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(U) Kidnapping – Unauthorized forcible removal of persons belonging to the vessel from it.
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(U) Robbery – Theft from a vessel or from persons aboard the vessel.
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(U) Suspicious Approach – All other unexplained close proximity of an unknown vessel.
(U) Sourcing
(U) ONI derives information in this report from direct reporting and analysis of reports from the following agencies
and commercial sources.
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Agence France Presse (AFP)
Associated Press (AP)
BBC News (BBC)
Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO), Denmark (BIMCO)
Bloomberg
EU Naval Forces (EU)
Fairplay (FP), London
International Maritime Bureau (IMB), London and Kuala Lumpur
International Maritime Organization (IMO), London
Informa Group (INFO)
Latitude38.com (LAT), website
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Lloyd’s List (LL), daily, London
Local media (LM)
LSS-SAPU.com (LSS)
Maritime Administration (MARAD), US
Maritime Security Council (MSC), US
Maritime Security Centre – Horn of Africa (MSCHOA), Northwood
Maritime Trade Information Sharing Centre – Gulf of Guinea (MTISC-GOG)
MaRisk by Risk Intelligence (Risk Intelligence/MaRisk)
NASDAQ.COM
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), Navigation Safety System
Noonsite.com (Noonsite), website
North Atlantic Treaty Organization Shipping Center (NSC), Brussels
Oceanuslive.org (OCL), website
Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) (analysis and comment)
Operator (owner or operator of affected vessel)
Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC), US
Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against
Ships in Asia, Information Sharing Center (ReCAAP ISC)
Reuters.com (Reuters)
Royal Australian Navy (RAN)
Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN)
Secure Anchorage Area West Africa (SAA)
Seafarers’ Assistance Program (SAP), Kenya
Tradewinds (TW)
United Kingdom Maritime Trade Organization (UKMTO)
United Press International (UPI)
United States Coast Guard (USCG)
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)
U.S. Maritime Liaison Office (MARLO) Bahrain
U.S. Department of State (DOS)
U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)
(U) ICOD: 15 April 2015
UNCLASSIFIED