West Africa - MARSEC Warning

Source: Reported to MDAT-GoG by RELIABLE SOURCES

Description: MDAT-GOG has been informed of a HIGH RISK maritime incident in the coming hours and days in the following areas: F/E/D. We highly recommend to the seafarer community and ships transiting in these areas to exercise a sharp look-out and apply BMP WA procedure.

Countries affected: 

ECOWAS Areas:

F - Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Cote d' Ivoire, Ghana

E - Togo, Benin, Nigeria

D - Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Sao Tome & Principe, Gabon

Assessment: Such is the cadence of activity within the wider Gulf of Guinea and the spike in incidents of serious maritime crime and piracy within the HRA, that the risk profile for the JWC-025 area (ECOWAS E&D) is increased to CRITICAL indicating that incidents are highly likely, expected daily. All vessels should avoid the area if possible and exercise increased vigilance and full hardening measures in accordance with BMP5 West Africa, where possible.