Monsoon Wanes and Somalia Pirates Threat Increases

The US Maritime Administration, Marad, has issued advisories to all US ships in the waters off the Horn of Africa and in the Indian Ocean. The warnings are to advise that pirate activity could increase between April and May, due to the end of the Northeast monsoon season and increased range of recent pirate attacks. The end of the monsoon season signals calmer weather and lower sea states that create a far greater opportunity for pirates to operate their skiffs further away from shore and mother ships. This area of activity has now expanded to more than 1,000 nautical miles off the Horn of Africa into the Indian Ocean.