The Maritime Security Centre Horn of Africa (MSCHOA) has issued a warning to all vessels sailing off the coast of Somalia due to a recent surge in piracy activity. Key Points: Heightened Alert: Ships in the Somali basin are urged to be extremely vigilant due to an increase in reported piracy incidents. Recent Attacks: Since late November 2023, there have been multiple hijackings of merchant vessels and dhows (smaller boats). One merchant vessel, the M/V Abdullah, remains under pirate control. Pirate Tactics: Pirates typically use captured dhows as motherships to approach and attack larger vessels further offshore. The possibility of attacks in the Gulf of Aden cannot be ruled out. Threat Level: MSCHOA currently assesses the piracy threat off the Somali coast as "Moderate," meaning an attack is a realistic possibility. Recommendations: BMP5 Adherence: All vessels are strongly advised to strictly follow Best Management Practices Version 5 (BMP5) to enh...