Reporting Indicates that two suspicious approach incidents have occurred within a 24hr period approximately 34nm NW of Pointe A IRTC.
Suspicious Approach
DTG
13 & 14 January 2021, 0900UTC
Position
12 03.0N 044 27.6E / 12 06.0N 044 24.6E
Location
c34nm NW Point A IRTC
Vessel Dimensions
n/a
Vessel Type
Container Ship (13th)
Source Confidence Level
High
Incident Overview
Reporting Indicates that two suspicious approach incidents have occurred within a 24hr period approximately 34nm NW of Pointe A IRTC.
Both vessels were transiting Eastbound when approached. The first instance involved a Liberian Bulk carrier approached by two skiffs that are understood to have altered course and approached the vessel. Embarked security are understood to have showed weapons and the skiffs stopped their approach.
A second incident was reported 4nm SE of the above location 24hrs later involving a vessel being approached by one skiff with 4 persons onboard. A ladder was reported as sighted in this instance.
Dryad Analysis
Within 2020 there were 8 incidents recorded a suspicious approach within the Western Gulf of Aden. In three incidents warning shots were fired and in once incident weapons were shown but no shots fired. Only one previous incident in 2020 were ladders recorded as sighted within the skiffs. Throughout 2020 no vessel was approached consistently, or any attempted boarding made.