Priority Broadcast Alert – Indian Ocean Region

UPDATE01: On 10 April, EUNAVFOR Operation ATALANTA reported that it had located the hijacked dhow and was monitoring the situation. The dhow was reported to be operating in the vicinity of northeast Somalia. At the time of writing, no disruption to merchant vessels had been reported. <br/><br/>A dhow has reportedly been hijacked by a likely Pirate Action Group (PAG) off the coast of Bargal, Somalia. The PAG was reportedly wearing military uniform and attempted to contact vessels over VHF. Ambrey understands that PAGs have previously utilised hijacked fishing vessels to attack merchant shipping further off Somalia. At the time of writing, EUNAVFOR Operation ATALANTA was investigating the incident. No disruption to merchant vessels had been observed.<br/><br/>ADVICE: Ambrey advises merchant vessels to increase vigilance, ensure adherence to BMP, and to engage armed security where possible if the vessel has a permissible freeboard. Vessels should report sightings of any suspicious activity.<br/>