Frequently asked questions

Registering your vessel with the Maritime Security Center Indian Ocean (MSCIO) is a critical step in ensuring its security while transiting high-threat areas such as the Gulf of Aden, the Red Sea, Somali Basin and the Indian Ocean.

When you register:

• 24/7 Monitoring:
  Your vessel’s movements will be monitored round the clock by our watchkeepers who will provide quick response to emergencies or suspicious activities.
• Dedicated Support:
  Registration allows naval forces to prioritize and coordinate protective measures, ensuring timely intervention if needed.
• Enhanced Awareness:
  You’ll receive up-to-date alerts, threat assessments, and specific guidance to help you navigate securely.
• Discreet but Effective Security:
  Your vessel's registration remains confidential. This ensures robust protection without compromising operational privacy.

We can only protect and monitor the registered vessels, so that if your vessel is not registered we can’t make this support.

Registration with the Maritime Security Center Indian Ocean (MSCIO) is a straightforward and essential process designed to enhance the security of vessels transiting high-threat areas such as the Gulf of Aden, the Red Sea, and the Indian Ocean. The process operates under the Voluntary Registration Scheme (VRS) and facilitates Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) by collecting and monitoring vessel movements within the UKMTO Voluntary Reporting Area (VRA).

Here’s how registration works:

1. Submission of Vessel Details:
   Ship operators or masters are encouraged to voluntarily report their vessels to both UKMTO and MSCIO when entering the Voluntary Reporting Area (VRA).
2. Preferred Registration Method:
   Registration can be completed online through either the MSCIO or UKMTO websites, or send it via email to watchkeepers@ukmto.org (UKMTO) and postmaster@mscio.eu (MSCIO), ensuring direct communication with both organizations.

MSCIO plays a proactive and reactive role in enhancing your vessel's security.

• Proactive Support:
  As a preventive measure, MSCIO monitors maritime activity in high-threat areas and provides real-time alerts and threat assessments to vessels transiting the Gulf of Aden, the Red Sea, Somali Basin and the Indian Ocean. This ensures your crew is informed about any suspicious activity or emerging threats in the vicinity, helping you take appropriate precautions in advance.
• Reactive Support:
  In the event of an incident, MSCIO is fully equipped to provide comprehensive assistance by coordinating with naval forces, issuing threat bulletins, and guiding your crew through established protocols. This ensures that your vessel receives timely support and protection to mitigate risks effectively.
  By integrating proactive alerts and reactive incident response, MSCIO stands as a critical partner in safeguarding vessels in high-threat areas.

Here's how MSCIO can assist:

• Rapid Communication with Naval Assets:
  MSCIO maintains close communication with naval forces, including EUNAVFOR ATALANTA and EUNAVFOR ASPIDES as well as regional coalitions. Upon receiving your incident report, MSCIO can alert and mobilize these assets to respond quickly and effectively.
• Real-Time Threat Updates:
  During an incident, MSCIO can provide real-time alerts and threat assessments, ensuring your crew has the most accurate and up-to-date information to make critical decisions.
• Integrated Information Sharing:
  By working closely with UKMTO and using platforms like MERCURY MSCIO ensures streamlined and coordinated information-sharing among military and regional stakeholders. This improves situational awareness and facilitates a faster, unified response.
  After the incident, MSCIO assists with follow-up actions, including reporting, pattern-of-life analysis, and liaising with relevant authorities

The MERCURY platform is an essential tool in enhancing maritime security across the Indian Ocean. Originally administered by EUNAVFOR ATALANTA to support counter-piracy operations, MERCURY has evolved into a versatile, unclassified, secure tactical communications platform designed for real-time information sharing and collaboration among diverse maritime stakeholders.

One of MERCURY’s key strengths is its ability to facilitate seamless communication between over 100 military and government maritime law enforcement organizations. It addresses the constraints of classified information and independent command structures, enabling swift responses to maritime security events. Critical information —whether related to piracy, Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) cases, or other maritime security incidents— is shared transparently, allowing autonomous decisions and coordinated actions in near real-time.

The platform facilitates the exchange of time-sensitive information among key stakeholders in the Indian Ocean, such as the UKMTO and EUNAVFOR's MSCIO. Its primary purpose is to enable effective coordination and information sharing between entities with the capacity to respond to and manage maritime security incidents. Through its secure chat feature, users can communicate directly, either individually or within groups, mimicking familiar messaging applications like WhatsApp, but with added layers of security and operational focus.

MERCURY is not confined to counter-piracy coordination alone; it plays a broader role in maritime security by fostering natural, transparent collaboration. This ensures that responses to incidents are efficient and visible to all relevant parties, reinforcing its position as a cornerstone of the regional maritime security framework.