Commercial vessels in the region of the Red Sea, Bab el Mandeb Strait, and the Gulf of Aden should operate under a heightened state of alert as increasing tensions in the region escalate the potential for direct or collateral damage to vessels transiting the region, the Republic of the Marshall Islands warns in a recently- published ship security advisory.
RMI has issued special warning informing that these threats may come from a variety of different sources such as missiles, projectiles, or waterborne improvised explosive devices.
Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for an 01 October 2016 rocket attack on a United Arab Emirates (UAE) flagged military vessel. This attack has been linked with the conflict in Yemen.
RMI advises vessel operators to remain cautious when transiting the Bab el Mandeb Strait and consider the continued application of BMP4 ship protection measures until well out of the strait.
Vessels in the region should report hostile activities immediately to United Kingdom Marine Trade Operations (UKMTO) and Maritime Security Centre – Horn of Africa (MSCHOA), and also contact coalition naval forces via Very High Frequency (VHF) bridge to bridge radio Channel 16, email: [email protected] and [email protected] or phone: +973 1785 387
The United States Navy Forces issued a Special Warning in a Notice to Mariners on 09 October 2016. Click here to view the notice.
Subsequent to the United States Navy’s Special Warning, UKMTO has provided the following diagram to clarify guidance relating to the Traffic Separation Scheme west and south of Hanish Al Kabra, as ships exit the Bal el Mandeb strait
Source: SAFETY4SEA