Navy Warns Pirates Changing Tactics

The U.S. Navy warned Tuesday that pirates in the Gulf of Aden are increasingly operating at night and could expand their raids into the Red Sea.

The U.S. 5th Fleet said it had warned merchant vessels about changes in pirates' tactics following bad weather and the stepped-up presence of international navies.

The Special Maritime Advisory issued by 5th Fleet headquarters in Bahrain said pirates are now operating "to and beyond" the Seychelles islands. The pirates are using larger vessels for logistical support and to avoid foreign navy ships patrolling the Gulf of Aden to protect merchant ships en route to and from the Suez Canal.

Pirates recently increased the number of attacks during the hours of darkness, highlighting the need for heightened vigilance of merchant mariners through the high risk areas, the U.S. Navy said.

The message said a confirmed pirate attack took place at the southern end of the Red Sea at the end of May and ships should be cautious when transiting through the area.

However, the monsoon season that lasts up to September will be relatively safe for commercial shipping, as the rainy weather is disrupting pirate activities, the Navy said.

Still, the message advised sailors to "continue to remain at a high state of alert." The U.S. Navy estimates that so far this year there have been 114 attacks in the pirate-infested Gulf of Aden, with 29 captures of merchant vessels.

Contact Peter T. Leach at pleach@joc.com.