*Updated 1005Z 19/02/13*

On 18/02/13 at 1645 UTC, a merchant vessel was approached by two skiffs in position 07:14.4N – 052:17.2E.  Weapons were discharged, but the suspected pirates did not manage to approach. VESSEL SAFE.

VESSELS ARE ADVISED TO KEEP WELL CLEAR OF THIS POSITION AND TO EXERCISE EXTREME CAUTION IF IN VICINITY. REPORT ANY SUSPECTED OR ACTUAL PIRATE ACTIVITY TO UKMTO DUBAI, BY PHONE: +97 150 552 3215 OR E-MAIL: UKMTO@EIM.AE.

WHILE NAVIGATING IN THE REGION VESSELS ARE URGED TO OPERATE AT A HEIGHTENED STATE OF READINESS, IMPLEMENT SELF PROTECTION MEASURES IN ACCORDANCE WITH BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICE VERSION 4 (BMP4) DATED AUGUST 2011.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE SEE
http://www.shipping.nato.int/Pages/BMP.aspx or www.mschoa.org.