UKMTO Weekly Piracy Report

Command Overview

1. As reported in previous editions, Focussed Operation (FO) Taegeukgi was conducted by the Commander Combined Task Force 151 (CTF 151) in waters and airspace around the Horn of Africa 19 - 23 Sep 16. CTF 151 has provided a releasable summary of the Op as follows:

Ships and maritime aircraft conducted multiple approaches and conversational exchanges with fishing vessel (FV) masters and crews to collect information relating to seasonal pattern of life in the region.

A marked increase in FV activity was recorded including areas that overlap the IRTC.

An increase in small craft smuggling migrants was observed and MV masters should be aware of the potential for SOLAS incidents due to the poor condition of the vessels used for this activity.

A significant number of MVs were observed transiting the Gulf of Aden (GOA) outside of the IRTC and through the Socotra gap, many of these MV’s appear to have no visible BMP self-protection measures.

Download full report here

Image EU NAVOFOR - Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy warship, Munmu the Great