Vessel Approached by skiff; 4 persons onboard armed with AK-47s and an RPG #Marsec #Piracy #Terroris

On 26 January, a merchant vessel anchored near position 14:59N - 042:49E, 10.8 nm northwest of Hodeidah, was approached by a skiff with 4 persons onboard armed with AK-47s and an RPG.

Master activated security measures and the embarked armed security team displayed weapons as skiff circled at a distance of between 100-150 meters.

Master sent Mayday call and informed Hodeidah Port Control who reported no knowledge of the armed personnel and speculated that they could be Coast Guard, despite lacking uniforms or vessel insignia.

After making several approaches, the skiff left the area.

ONI Weekly report (Mast Security Ltd)

ASKET Operations Piracy Map: MarSec & Maritime Cyber Alerts 2019