Boarding - 332NM east of Mogadishu, Somalia

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Incident Details

Incident Date & Time:

03 November 2025, 0000hrs UTC

Location:

332NM East of Mogadishu, Somalia

Latitude/Longitude: 

0° 2' 37.41" N, 50° 28' 30.66" E

Vessel Type, Name, Flag and Status:

Underway

Incident Type:

Boarding 

Crew status

No injuries reported

Incident Details

Description

Maritime Security Centre in the Indian Ocean (MSCIO) received an incident report of an attempted unauthorised boarding 332NM east of Mogadishu, Somalia. The Master reported that a small craft approached from a mothership positioned approximately 5NM from his vessel. The small craft returned to the mother vessel after being challenged by the crew. Authorities are investigating the incident.

In addition to this event, two incidents involving unusual dhow behaviour were reported in the same area the previous day. Ships transiting the area are advised to exercise extreme caution, maintain full vigilance, implement Best Management Practices for Maritime Security (BMP-MS), and report any suspicious activity immediately to MSCIO and UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).

Response Actions

- Self-defence measures

Stolen items

- N/A

Key findings

This incident demonstrates the classic pirate mothership-skiff operational model that has been characteristic of Somali piracy operations. The positioning of the mothership 5NM away suggests a coordinated approach, allowing the larger vessel to remain at a safe distance while deploying smaller, faster craft for the actual boarding attempt. The fact that the attackers retreated immediately upon being challenged by the crew indicates they were likely seeking a soft target and were not prepared for resistance or detection.

The clustering of three suspicious incidents in the same area within 24 hours, including unusual dhow behaviour, suggests either increased pirate activity or reconnaissance operations testing vessel responses and security postures. This pattern of multiple incidents in close proximity often precedes more serious piracy attempts as attackers gather intelligence on shipping patterns and security measures.

Recommendations

- Implement active crew vigilance with dedicated lookouts and challenge any approaching small craft immediately.

- Maintain maximum safe distance from suspicious vessels, particularly dhows operating unusually in known piracy areas.

- Report all suspicious activity immediately to MSCIO and UKMTO, even if no direct threat materializes.

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