Amid the recent surge in pirate activity across the Western Indian Ocean since late October, a possible Pirate Action Group (PAG) incident was reported approximately 565 nautical miles east of Dar es Salaam.
A northbound sailing merchant vessel reported a possible pirate action group (PAG) dhow towing a skiff approximately 565 nm east of Dar es Salaam. No hostile acts were observed, and the vessel proceeded safely to its next port. All traffic in the wider area is advised to exercise heightened caution.
Key points:
- Position/time: Lat:06°46’S, long:049°15’E at 07:30 UTC, approximately 565 nm east of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, far offshore within a known Somali Basin long-range corridor.
- Reporting ship: Large ocean-going merchant vessel.
- Behavior: Dhow assessed loitering while towing a skiff, no weapons displayed, no approach or pursuit, reporting ship-maintained course and speed.
- Risk context: Area associated with organized PAG activity employing mother-craft dhows and skiff operations across the western Indian Ocean.
- Immediate actions: Reporting ship activated BMP MS 2025 measures, traffic in vicinity advised to increase separation, maintain vigilance, and report promptly.
Diaplous, in its 2022 White Paper “The Known Unknowns — Declassification of the Indian Ocean High Risk Area (HRA)”, cautioned that removing the HRA designation could be misinterpreted and lead to reduced vigilance and controls. The 2024–2025 operating picture, including multiple deep-sea approaches and a confirmed merchant boarding, tends to validate that assessment and underscores the need to maintain robust, layered security across the wider region.
Recommendations:
Primary shipboard safety measures:
- Maintain heightened watch in accordance with BMP MS 2025, preserve maneuvering room to keep CPA ≥ 2.0 nm from unidentified or fast craft where practicable, rig physical barriers and fire hoses, and be prepared to increase speed if approached.
Reporting requirements and channels:
- Report immediately to UKMTO and MSCIO with bearings, ranges, CPA history, photos or video, and radar/AIS plots, then provide rolling updates until clear. Preserve bridge log and CCTV evidence.
Additional security measures and drills:
- Double visual and radar lookouts, conduct security musters, verify citadel readiness, restrict non-essential deck work, and brief crew on small-craft encounter procedures aligned to BMP MS 2025.
Communications and coordination guidance:
- Continuously monitor distress and safety channels and VHF, ensure satcom redundancy, deconflict with nearby traffic, and coordinate with any tasked naval units.
General guidance:
- Treat dhows towing or launching skiffs as high-risk indicators of PAG activity, avoid close approaches, adjust routing and timing to reduce daylight exposure on high-risk legs, and log all observations for correlation and follow-up.