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Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Fifth Fleet warns calm seas means piracy surge

ABU DHABI — The U.S. Navy has warned of increased piracy attacks with the calming of stormy seas.   

The navy's Fifth Fleet said Somali pirates could increase attacks on merchant shipping in the Arabian Sea and Red Sea. Officials said piracy declined for several weeks due to poor weather and rough seas in the Gulf of Aden.

"High sea states over the past few weeks in the Somali Basin have resulted in fewer attacks on vessels transiting the area, but mariners must continue to remain vigilant," the Fifth Fleet said on July 27.

The U.S. Navy has been a leading element in the anti-piracy task force, Combined Task Force-151, which contains several Middle East countries and currently led by Turkey. The navy said pirate attacks dropped during the monsoon season, expected to end by September.


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CTF-151 commander Turkish Rear Adm. Caner Bener said Somali pirates, estimated at 5,000, have enhanced operations in 2009. Bener said the pirates have become skilled in nighttime attacks that have reached the southern Red Sea.

"The prior preparation and vigilance of merchant mariners at all times of day and night is more important now than ever," Bener said. "While our ability to deter and disrupt attacks has improved over time, we are constantly adapting the way we do our business as the pirates adapt and modify their tactics."

A CTF advisory urged mariners to employ a designated corridor through the Gulf of Aden. About 30 warships have been deployed in the corrdior.

Still, the advisory said Somali pirates would focus on slow-moving vessels with a low freeboard. The advisory urged merchant ships in the Gulf of Aden to employ lookouts in areas deemed dangerous.

"In this environment, the importance of merchant mariners as first line defenders against pirates is absolutely vital," U.S. Cmdr. Tim Lowe, deputy commander of the anti-piracy force, said. "The crews of those merchant vessels that have employed evasive maneuvering and other defensive measures to protect their ships and their cargoes have proven to be more successful at evading attack."



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