Although Piracy is often seen as a problem of the past, associating images of the skulls and crossbones flag with galleons of gold and cut-throat villans, it has rapidly become an issue of today. Since the 1970's, Piracy has steadily been on the increase around the world and has today reached a level which cannot be ignored.
In 1983, the MSC (Maritime Safety Committee) at the IMO, reviewed the situation concerning Piracy. Legal problems encountered were such that attacks in a home port or within Territorial waters were not considered Acts of Piracy and were subject to treatment by local law as armed robbery. This led to the establishment of 'Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships' as a work in progress amongst the concerned IMO committee's.
Recent developments include the IMO agreeing to two revisions of circulars aimed at dealing with piracy and armed robbery against ships, which was originally drafted in 1993.


The circulars concerned are:
Revised MSC/Circ.622: Recommendations to Governments for preventing and suppressing piracy and armed robbery against ships suggests possible counter-measures that could be employed by Rescue Co-ordination Centres and security forces. Now also includes draft Regional agreement on co-operation in preventing and suppressing acts of piracy and armed robbery against ships.


Revised MSC/Circ.623: Guidance to shipowners and ship operators, shipmasters and crews on preventing and suppressing acts of piracy and armed robbery against ships contains comprehensive advice on measures that can be taken onboard to prevent attacks or, when they occur, to minimize the danger to the crew and ship.


Part of the initial criteria set out in these circulars included the publication of all acts of piracy reported. This is to create a greater awareness or areas where acts or piracy are likely to occur the types of incidents reported. The IMO have developed a report which include names and descriptions of ships attacked, position and time of attack, consequences to the crew, ship or cargo and actions taken by the crew and coastal authorities, which are now circulated monthly, with quarterly and annual summaries.


It is important that attacks on Yachts are reported as well as attacks on larger commercial vessels. ISAF will transmit to the IMO any information received from yacht skippers. This should include as a minimum the date, time and location of the attack with a brief description of the incident.


At a recent meeting the IMO noted with concern the latest statistics on incidents of piracy and armed robbery at sea, in particular they identified a 20% increase in the reported acts of piracy and armed robbery against ships. This worrying development was a cause for concern and action needed to be taken to reduce this menace.


The number of acts of piracy and armed robbery against ships during the first eight months of 2002, as reported to the Organization, was 228, a marginal decrease of 1% over the figure for the corresponding period of 2001. However, comparing the figures for the first ten months of 2001 (263) with the corresponding period of 2002 (315) there was an increase of approximately 20%. The total number of incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships, reported to have occurred from 1984 (when the organization began recording reports of piracy and armed robbery incidents) until the end of October 2002, had risen to 2,880.


Between 1 January and 31 October 2002, twelve ships had been hijacked and eight ships had gone missing. From the reports received it had also emerged that the areas most affected (i.e. five incidents reported or more) were the Far East, in particular the South China Sea and the Malacca Strait, the Indian Ocean, the Caribbean, South America (Pacific and Atlantic) and West and East Africa. Most of the attacks worldwide were reported to have taken place in territorial waters while the ships were at anchor or berthed. In many of the reports received, the crews had been violently attacked by groups of five to ten people carrying knives or guns. During the same period, four passengers and one crew member of the ships involved had been killed, two crew members and four entire crew had been reported missing and seventy-one crew members and twelve passengers of the ships involved had been wounded.


For a list of the world-wide distribution of piracy attacks for 2002, click here


The International Sailing Federation has agreed to help in obtaining reports of these attacks. Only by having the figures can pressure be applied to the Security authorities throughout the world for improvements to the protection which they give to small boats both in ports and at sea. Reports should cover all incidents of piracy or of robbery in which the perpetrators are armed wherever they occur. The word ''armed' should not be restricted to firearms but includes any weapon which is used to assist in the crime.


Reports should include the following information:


1. Name of Yacht, owner, nationality of vessel and registration details.
2. Location date and time of incident
3. Short summary of the attack
4. Details of all reports made to other authorities.


Download the Piracy Report Form, they should be sent by Email to a dedicated Email address - piracy@isaf.co.uk , if Email is not available then by the quickest available means to ISAF at Ariadne House, Town Quay, Southampton, Hants S014 2AQ UK.


ISAF will collate the reports and send regular returns to IMO.

Helpful Links

ISAF Guidelines for Prevention of Piracy
Maritime Security Centre
ICC Weekly Piracy Report
Interational Maritime Organiation
Maritime Security
Noonsite Homepage
IMB Live Piracy Map

Reports to Download

Venezuela 05/08/09
Venezuela 05/08/05
Venezuela 09/02/04
Gulf of Aden 09/03/03
Punta Toleta 20/03/01
Gulf of Aden 27/01/00