Indian MS Notice on Navigation off the Indian Coast

Due to the increased number of merchant vessels transiting close to the West coast of India in order to avoid transiting the High Risk Area (HRA), there have been a number of near misses with fishing vessels and reports of fishing vessels being mistaken for pirate skiffs and being fired upon by security guards.

As a result of these incidents, the Director General of Shipping has issued Merchant Shipping Notice No 7 of 2012 – Navigation off the Indian Coast – transgressing of fishing nets – mistaking fishing boats with pirate skiffs.

The MS Notice advises that it is common practice for fishing vessels to turn towards merchant vessels which are approaching their fishing nets in an attempt to attract attention and avoid damage to the nets.

All merchant vessels are advised to navigate with extreme caution when transiting within 50 nautical miles of the Indian coast where the fishing vessels operate.

The guidance contained in International Maritime Organization circularMSC.1/Circ.1334 – Guidance to shipowners and ship operators, shipmasters and crews on preventing and suppressing acts of piracy and armed robbery against ships, should also be followed.

Any sightings of suspicious craft should be reported to the Indian Coast Guard, who along with the Indian Navy regularly patrol the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

A copy of MS Notice No 7 of 2012 can be read here.