SAFETY MANAGEMENT MANUAL

SUNEITA
ISSUER: G.M.B INC

SHIPBOARD PIRACY PLANNING

APPROVED BY:

PAGE:1/6
DATE: 12/13

1. Purpose
The purpose of this procedure is to establish policies concerning shipboard antipiracy preparation of the SUNEITA.
3. Policy
Each vessel shall prepare anti-piracy contingency plans to be ready should the
vessel enter areas of known piracy.
Crewmembers shall be trained prior to entering areas of known piracy through
the review of the contingency plans and the conduct of drills.
Plans will be oriented to being prepared, identifying potential piracy, keeping
boarders off the vessel until the presence of firearms is identified, locking down
the vessel to keep boarders out and then offer no further resistance once the
locked down vessel has been breached.
4. Responsibility
It is the responsibility of each Master to ensure that an Anti-piracy contingency
plan is developed for each vessel. That plan shall be made a part of the Safety
Management System.
5. Definitions
Designated Safe Area A place on the vessel considered a safe location for
females to hide to increase their safety and reduce the potential adverse actions
being taken against them by boarders.
Lockdown A condition in which the vessel has all weather doors and hatches
secured from the inside to prevent the entry of unwanted individuals from the
outside.
Threat Condition This is a state of readiness that is called for on the vessel
based on the proximity and identification of a piracy threat. It is designated by the
alphabetic letters Alpha, Bravo, Charlie and Delta.
Use of Force That force necessary to subdue a person/s that is/are going to
commit, or is/are committing an act/s that are in violation of law, maritime law or
international law on board the vessel, that would incur possible harm to another
person/s and or hinder the safe operations of the crew and vessel.
Use of Deadly Force That force necessary (when all other actions/attempts
to subdue the assailant have failed) to prevent the taking of a life by the
assailants act/s of violent

NUMBER: SMM 8.2

REVISION: 0

EFFECTIVE DATE:

12/13

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SAFETY MANAGEMENT MANUAL

Shipboard Piracy Planning
force, or an act/action by the assailant that a reasonable person would deem to
be life threatening to him/her-self or the intended victim/s.
6. General
The measures set forth in this procedure are designed to accomplish two
purposes.
First, they will serve to prepare the vessel crew members to handle a piracy
incident.
Second, the measures are designed to display the ships resolve to prepare for,
and counter the piracy threat. These actions are meant to convey to the threat, or
anyone observing the ships activities, that the ship is prepared to deal with a
threat and thereby making the ship a less desirable target.
During the planning, preparation and conduct of piracy activities, it is very
important to remember that personnel safety is of paramount importance. At
anytime if it is recognized that the boarders are armed with firearms, the vessel is
to go immediately to the locked down condition and cease all repelling activities.
To reduce the exposure to piracy activities, the transit of the vessel through
known to have experienced piracy activities shall be made during the daylight
hours wherever possible. Such daylight transits reduce the element of surprise
used in piracy activities and it increases the detection and identification of
potential piracy elements.
Plans shall design the action to be taken either prior to or during the below listed
threat conditions. They do not have to be entered into sequentially but are
entered into based on the prevailing conditions.
A. Threat Condition Alpha
Possible hostile contact (radar or visual 10 miles or less in range to include
land that is a known threat area)
Have designated personnel flake out fire hoses at the designated stations.
Conduct maneuvering and speed changes
Re-verify position of threat / radar target
Post extra lookouts if needed
Science or routine work continues
If threat moves off, relax status
If threat maintains your course and speed, (or mirrors yours) increase your alert
status. (Under advisement of the Master)

NUMBER: SMM 8.2

REVISION: 0

EFFECTIVE DATE :

12/13

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B. Threat Condition Bravo
Threat Changes its Course to your position/course & Closes to within 500 yards
Pass word threat condition bravo to all hands
Designated personnel go to their assigned stations; Light crew stands by the
fire hose stations (if required).
Increase visual watch standing and radar verifications
Radio/phone by direction of the Captain (to your Pre-designated Source, and
State that this is For Advisement Only) on designated frequencies or satellite
telephone, identification, location, course and speed of your vessel, report same
for the threat, to include; size of threat vessel, color & markings, flag, number of
personnel (if visible) and any armament. Why you perceive them to be a threat.
If vessel and personnel have no weapons visible and just appear to be curious,
wave them off, do not engage them in conversation
Science or routine work continues
When the threat closes within 50yds of your vessel, increase your threat level.
(Under advisement of the Master)
C. Threat Condition Charlie
Threat approaches within 50 yards with the Intention to come alongside
Sound General Alarm
Pass word Threat Condition Charlie
Secure all science or routine operations
Science personnel to muster in galley
Hoses are Partially or fully manned (determined by distance and action of
threat) by designated crew members
Designated personnel with fire axes are standing near ship rails at assigned
points. (Lookouts)
Fire up three flares (White Star Parachute)
Radio or Telephone, (pre-designated source) by direction of the Master and
pass updated information on the threat (actions the threat is taking, distance to
your vessel, location, course and speed, include any other identifications that the
threat may have visible).
Alter your ships course and speed (keeping the stern away from small craft)
Fire hoses are charged and hose teams are spraying personnel in craft.
When the threat moves along side the vessel, go to higher threat level.

NUMBER: SMM 8.2

REVISION: 0

EFFECTIVE DATE:

12/13

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D. Threat Condition Delta
Hostile Force Is Attempting to Board your Vessel
Pass the word Threat Condition Delta (Sound one long 10sec blast on the
ships horn)
Hoist the colors
All fire hose teams are fully manned and hoses are charged (extra pump on line
if needed)
All designated personnel are on deck, engaged in the repelling of boarders.
Personnel with fire axes are cutting any lines thrown onto the vessel or
attached grabbling hooks, by the hostiles that are attempting to board the vessel.
(Also looking in other directions for other small craft)
Radio by direction of the Master, on assigned frequencies or satellite telephone
(to your pre-designated source) that a hostile force is attempting to board your
vessel.
Give Lat & long and the situation.
Designated personnel continue to guard
E. OTHER REQUIRED ACTIONS: (During Threat Condition Delta and After)
When it becomes obvious that boarding of the vessel is imminent, (due to the
overwhelming number of boarders and weapons that they are carrying or if there
is shots being fired at crew members).
The word LOCKDOWN will be passed along with (FIVE SHORT BLASTS OF
THE SHIPS HORN) and the following action will be taken.
ALL crewmembers will retreat inside the vessel and secure all doors. (EXCEPT
the on board security force if on board which shall remain out on deck).
Crewmembers will report to the bridge and report their area is secured and their
physical condition.
Crewmembers will stand by these hatches and report in to the bridge every 5
minutes. (Or if there is going to be a breach at their location)
All females are advised to go to the designated safe area.
If boarders penetrate the vessel, offer no further resistance.
Once boarders have left, get a complete headcount.
Everyone musters in the pre-designated area.
Conduct a complete sweep of your vessel (searching for anyone hostile or
possible crewmen.)
F. Radio / Telephone Contact Information
of the world.

NUMBER: SMM 8.2REVISION: 0

EFFECTIVE DATE:

12/13

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During any of your contacts with station for assistance , inform them of the
following:

Identify yourself as the ________________ Vessel __________________

(position) (Vessel Name)
We are calling only to advise you of our current situation (then state the nature
of your situation and or threat to your vessel give your position Lat/ Long)
We are calling to update you on our status (state that things have returned to
normal or that the threat to your vessel is increasing give information
identifying the threat range to your vessel, type of craft/s, number of persons,
weapons, clothes - give your Lat / Long)
We are calling to inform you that (that things have returned to normal or that
the threat is attempting to move alongside your vessel at this time and we are
repelling them with fire hoses. Our location is, Lat / long)
We are calling to inform you that (things have returned to normal or a hostile
force is boarding us at this time. Our position is Lat / Long we are attempting to
repel the boarders by non lethal means and with fire hoses, Please stay on the
line/radio with us)
Boarders have been repelled or Boarders have taken over our vessel our
position is - Lat / Long, please send any assistance possible.
Once the situation has come to its conclusion (and if all radio or phone
equipment has not been destroyed or taken), contact the designated
station, and request any aid that will assist your crew and
vessel. Also, give status of all your personnel and the condition of your
vessel. Ask them to contact your homeport, to inform them of your
status/situation, if (due to destruction of equipment) you are unable to do
so yourself.
If all communications equipment was destroyed (by attackers - so you
cannot radio/phone for help), try to signal passing vessels with your
searchlight via international Morse code, flares or smoke. (Or if you have
an Emergency Communications Package Open it and use it!)
7. Reporting
Contingency plans should be based on the guidance provided in this instruction.
After

NUMBER: SMM 8.2

REVISION: 0

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12/13

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preparing contingency plans, the Master shall provide them to the Ship
Operations Manager for incorporation into the Safety Management System.
He/she will then issue these plans under the vessels ship specific section of the
system.
These plans should be reviewed prior to entering into waters recognized as
potential piracy areas. The Master shall insure that the review is completed and
that any changes to the plan are implemented.
Should an act of piracy take place, the Master shall notify the Port Office as soon
as possible.

NUMBER: SMM 8.2

REVISION: 0

EFFECTIVE DATE:

12/13

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