Global's BMP - Section 3

Voluntary Reporting

A major lesson learnt from operations against piracy and armed robbery to date is the importance of liaison with the military and law enforcement. This is an essential part of self-protection that applies to all ships. To ensure these forces are aware of the intended sea passage and to understand the ships’ vulnerability to an attack, ships are encouraged to report to the centres overseeing the Voluntary Reporting Areas (VRAs). This information is essential to enable the centres to best use any assets available to them and to assist in an emergency. Once ships have entered a VRA it is important that they continue to report while transiting within the area. This will allow the reporting centres to update the ship of any maritime security related incidents or threats in that region. The four key centres are as below:

For the Western Indian Ocean, the MSCHOA and UKMTO voluntary registration and reporting scheme in the WIO (chart Q6099). It is extremely important CSOs and Masters understand the differences outlined in this chart and those below. A specific and detailed High Risk Area (HRA) is outlined and there are important reporting procedures to be followed in order to monitor and give guidance at short notice on threats in the HRA. Ship reporting is the major indicator to MSCHOA on the level of implementation of BMPs and the only area where it is monitored to this extent. See Annex A for further detail.
For the Gulf of Guinea, the MDAT-GOG voluntary registration and reporting scheme (Admiralty chart Q6114 and French Navy Hydrographic SHOM Chart 8801CS). It is strongly encouraged that the reporting requests for information are implemented by all ships transiting the VRA. See Annex B for further detail.
For South East Asia, the Singapore Information Fusion Centre (IFC) voluntary community reporting scheme (charts Q6112 and Q6113). This VRA is extremely large and should be considered in conjunction with the listed ‘areas of concern’. The differences between the transit reporting guidance to the IFC and requirements for immediate incident reporting and procedures as highlighted by ReCAAP ISC, should be noted carefully by Masters and CSOs. See Annex C for further detail.

The Admiralty Charts referenced above provide the mariner with maritime security reporting information to compliment effective voyage planning through the regions. Due to the risk of piracy and armed robbery, and the complexity of security threats in the regions, the Admiralty Charts should be used in conjunction with Admiralty Notices to Mariners, Safetynet Service warnings and Navtex messages. The VRAs as shown on the charts clearly define an area, so that companies and ships transiting, trading or operating in these regions can join a trusted reporting scheme.

Positional data, suspicious activity and incidents reported by shipping in the VRAs, using the forms on the Charts, assist in the creation of a detailed and accurate regional maritime security picture. The analysis is used to produce security recommendations that are shared with seafarers, companies and law enforcement agencies to improve threat awareness and, incident response.

Ships are strongly encouraged to register and report with the respective reporting centres as appropriate and, then send regular reports.

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