Geographical Reach of Somali Piracy: Decade's Review: 2001-2011

Stopping the Spread of Piracy

In partnership with the U.S. National Geospatial Agency, the Maritime Liaison Office (MARLO) in Bahrain devised a Somali Piracy Map based on the reach of actual pirate attacks that tells an account about the evolving nature of the piracy threat. 

Rather than expanding in concentric circles, the pattern is dynamic and responds to many influences. Ongoing research seeks to better understand the influence of naval forces, weather and shoreside activities.

Flashcard Targets Pirate Motherships

Curbing the reach of pirate skiffs that operate ever farther from Somalia’s shores and throughout the Gulf of Aden, Indian Ocean and Arabian Gulf involves, among other things, eliminating motherships.

In partnership with EU NAVFOR and NATO, MARLO embarked on the Dhow Initiative to help operators of dhows from being pirated and converted into motherships. The “Flashcard” is a pocket guide to help operators identify potential threats; evade capture; and contact authorities. They are analogous to the Best Management Practices (or BMPs) created for commercial ships, fishing vessels and yachts.