The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has issued an urgent warning following an incident involving the boarding of a merchant vessel by armed individuals.
This incident, recorded as “UKMTO WARNING 002/JAN/2024 INCIDENT 002 – BOARDING UPDATE 001“, took place approximately 460 nautical miles east of Eyl, Somalia.
At 1419 UTC on 4 January 2024, the UKMTO received a report from the vessel’s Company Security Officer (CSO) that 5 to 6 unauthorised armed persons had boarded the vessel. The vessel’s master swiftly reported that the crew had been safely gathered in the Citadel, a secure location on the ship designed for such emergencies.
“UKMTO has received a report that 5 to 6 unauthorised armed persons have boarded a merchant vessel in the vicinity of 460NM East of Eyl, Somalia. Master reports crew have been mustered in the Citadel. Vessels are advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO”
The UKMTO has advised all vessels transiting through these areas to exercise increased caution. The organisation urges vessels to remain alert and report any suspicious activities immediately. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the piracy and maritime security challenges that continue to persist in the region.
Yemen drones to the East, Somalia pirates to the west. What a great neighborhood.
Don’t yet know the name or nationality of this vessel, but believe it’s unlikely registered as either Russian or Chinese. Up to this time, I understand that such vessels are not experiencing any undue Red Sea/BelM hazards, but willing to stand correction. So, any person worried about receiving their new BYD car, under the auspices of globalised trade, can probably afford a degree of relaxation. These seem remarkably easier to obtain than some spares for your own European make, at present. Even better news, it may become ever more easy to replace your current vehicle, when BYD get around to… Read more »
Can any Special Forces help out here? Once the terrorists are onboard what happens next to captured vrssels? Can commercial shipping have some security deployed on their ships?
Certain minds think alike. While marines or special forces personnel may be too valuable to assign to civilian ships for security, there should surely a market for ex-military mercenary forces. The costs would be bundled into the shipping rates for select routes. Would presume that international maritime treaty(ies) allow for vessel self-defense? Not certain re level of armament permitted/feasible, but certainly something that has a salutary, attention demanding effect (e.g., 50 cal.) would be a possibility? MANPADs of some variety? Weren’t there armed merchant vessels in WW II? Someone stated one time that there were USN details on some merchant… Read more »
I’m usually just a lurker but do have a few thoughts on this. I know that certain private military companies do operate on board merchant ships in the region (or at least have done in the past, roughly within the past 10 years), for the right price. They would be armed with rifles and water cannons (warning shots at a distance, followed by water cannons for deterring boarding, followed by lethal force if required). I’m not sure of the legality of this as I seem to remember reading they can only operate in international waters. As for having marines/active duty… Read more »
Presume that “Citadel” is a synonym for a safe room. Probable armored walls, door(s)/hatches, possibly deck, sufficient to resist rounds from small arms. Rather doubt area would pass NATO NBC standard. Estimate that it may serve purpose in attack by peasant fishermen/pirates, but probably not against well trained militias. Post is simply a SWAG, never encountered hostile boarding parties at altitude…
Pretty much. I’ve watched a few videos in the past about them and they are just areas of the ships that have metal doors that seal from the inside and have food and comms gear inside. Any attacker with military training could probably defeat them with explosives but for the threat they are designed to protect against they are pretty secure. Main issue is food is finite and so unless someone comes to help them sooner or later they will have to come out.
I forgot to mention would even armed drones have some use here?
I was imagining SBS typee sneaking up on these captured ships from a sub and taking these buggers out….
Although SAS/SBS troops are deemed to be among the very best special forces in the world, the available numbers are strictly limited. (Something on the order of battalion strength for the SAS, company strength for the SBS. Even during WW II, the SAS didn’t exceed ~2500 troopers.) Would presume there is a SAS/SBS contingent operating in the ME, however, probably dedicated to higher priority missions. 🤔
Armed UAVs, however, might present interesting possibilities/opportunities. 🤔😳
Having military on board can have diplomatic consequences if things go wrong (did for Italy a number of years ago when over enthusiastic Italian marines on an Italian commercial ship shot some Indian fishermen). These days, it’s usually only when a commercial ship is carrying military cargo. You have the added problem of ships flagged by countries other than your own. The ship operates under the laws of the flagged nation. That’s why many of the maritime security companies operating in this space are ex military armed with weapons like 7.62 bolt action rifles with 10 shot magazine. Very few… Read more »
8f a vessel does not turn away when told to do so, as long as you are in international waters, the right to self Def is a recognised.civillian company s hire professionals to work in in places like Iraq the opportunities to do that same on commercial ventures must exist armed mercenaries hired to defend civilian shipping
Wouldn’t really need special forces. Any marines on board a frigate in the region with their ship board boats and helicopter could take it back easily. With the crew in safetly, overwhelming fire could be used safely. Just a question of if there is one in the area and if the politicians approve it.
The ideal circumstances for a freedom class ship which has thespee to reach an incident fast.
There are certainly a number of companies that specialise in providing maritime security teams for the region- there are even floating arsenals in international waters where they can arm up and thus avoid having to carry military weapons into different nations apparently. Nothing too exotic, just sniper rifles and assault rifles mostly.
I think it depends on whether the carrier wants to use them, down to idealogical and cost reasons. Probably at the moment as well, with all the Houthi issue, the available teams are potentially thinner on the ground.
I believe the euphemism you’re looking for is “maritime risk management” or “maritime security”, but yes, there are a number of firms that do this. UK based ones include Solace and MAST.
The irony. Cameroon threatening use of UK forces against the Houthis.
The man is a weapons grade… I’ll get banned.
Exactly, what could we deploy?
Well given the poll lead of Labour over the ever conning Cons, I’ll wager an aircraft carrier carrying out airstrikes with the Flag of the Union flying in the General Election adverts… no idea where I got that idea.
Ground troops – nope, we don’t have any and don’t want the casualties being repatriated. Airstrikes and the red, white and blue being waved in our faces. Daily Fail readers will love it.
Do you reckon the Cons are warming up Mr Cameron for the PM’s position post Mr Sunak and post election win or loss? And, I’m saying this from 1000s of kms away here in Aus, but Mr Shapps seems to be going alright so far? Anybody here think the same or different?
Na, his not even a PM. He was put into the role because his not a threat to sunak. If the Conservatives lose they will probably go more extreme again, someone like braveman or pitel would be my guess.
The calamity that is braverman is best not mentioned at all
She is meant to be popular with the Conservative members, who ultimately decide.
If Cameron is seen within a mile of the MOD he should be shot on sight
He’s been pretty much invisible so far
That applies to both the UK and the US. So yeah air craft carrier with big media contingent on board and daily videos of guided missiles hitting terrorist camps would be my bet. Although I find it odd that they didn’t follow up almost immediately and there isn’t news of a QE getting ready for deployment.
Given the recent successful trial involving Martlet being used to shoot down a drone from a Wildcat and the obvious primary role of the Martlet against small surface targets, it might be something to think about in having more Wildcat deployed, doubling up in a T45, for instance, or ensuring a T23 has one “ready to . Would widen the umbrella a bit.
A martlet armed Protector might provide a good level of protection along with much greater persistence?
AA
It is a fairly simple matter to provide security from piracy. Private security with clearance to shoot to kill and immunity from prosecution anywhere. Too much fannying around with lawyers and “human rights” activists over the years has made us soft. When the “pirates” learn of the consequences? It would soon stop.