Maritime Security Patrol Area (MSPA)

Despite the outcry from shipowners, apparently the navies of the world are doing something to stem the piracy problem in the Gulf of Aden. However, I am guessing the Somali pirates have taken their business a bit south of this zone.


The U.S. Navy issued a press release outlining the international response to piracy.

"BAHRAIN, Manama (NNS) -- Since the inception of the Maritime Security Patrol Area (MSPA), Combined Task Force (CTF) 150 has helped deter more than a dozen attacks in the Gulf of Aden. However, criminals have still successfully targeted several vessels in the region.

The Maritime Security Patrol Area was established Aug. 22 in support of the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) call for international assistance to discourage attacks on commercial vessels transiting the Gulf of Aden.

The MSPA is a geographic area in the Gulf of Aden utilized by Combined Maritime Forces to focus their efforts against destabilizing activities. These activities include, but are not limited to: criminal activities, drug smuggling operations that support terrorist and violent extremist organizations and human smuggling. Coalition forces patrol the MSPA, which is not marked or defined by visual navigational means, on a routine basis.

Initially under Canadian Commodore Bob Davidson's leadership, CTF 150 ships are now commanded by Danish Royal Navy Commodore Per Bigum Christensen.

"Coalition maritime efforts will give the IMO time to work international efforts that will ultimately lead to a long-term solution," said Vice Adm. Bill Gortney, commander, Combined Maritime Forces."


Following are suggestions for ships.

"Mariners must remain vigilant," said Christensen, CTF-150's commander. "A ship's master and her crew are the first line of defense for their own ship."

This fact has been highlighted by merchant mariners who have been able to take effective proactive measures to defend their vessels. Such measures have included deterring attacks simply by keeping a sharp lookout for suspicious small boats operating in the vicinity of their ships, increasing speed and maneuvering to avoid small craft, and even repelling would-be boarders with water from fire hoses.

Gortney also suggested that the shipping industry must consider hiring security teams for their vessels."
"The coalition does not have the resources to provide 24-hour protection for the vast number of merchant vessels in the region. The shipping companies must take measures to defend their vessels and their crews."