Loss Prevention Bulletin - 29 August 2017

A merchant ship reported that it was approached by four skiffs with five to six persons on board each at 0602hrs local time 24 nm off Perim Island in the Bab el Mandeb. The skiffs came within 0.8 nm of the vessel, although they turned away when armed security showed their weapons. The ship reported seeing one ladder on board two of the skiffs, raising concerns of criminal intent, although no weapons were sighted.

This follows previous reported incidents off Perim Island where merchant ships were approached by multiple suspicious skiffs on 18 and 19 August respectively. Fortunately, in all three cases the ships had armed guards and they were able to deter the skiffs after showing their weapons. Following the distinct uptick in suspected pirate activity, these incidents again underline the effectiveness of armed guards at preventing hijack in the Bab el Mandeb/Gulf of Aden region in particular.