Posted: November 28, 2016

Maritime Administration: Vessel guidance for the Sulu and Celebes Seas

Advisory #: 2016-04

Date Issued: Nov 22, 2016

Audience: ALL OPERATORS OF U.S. FLAG, EFFECTIVE U.S. CONTROLLED VESSELS, U.S. MERCHANT MARINERS AND OTHER MARITIME INTERESTS

Subject: VESSEL GUIDANCE FOR THE SULU AND CELEBES SEAS

1. U.S.-FLAG OPERATORS ARE REQUESTED TO FORWARD THIS ADVISORY TO THEIR VESSELS BY THE MOST EXPEDITIOUS MEANS.
2. MARAD Advisories are published on the MARAD web site at http://www.marad.dot.gov/newsroom/ADVISORY and on the Maritime Safety Information web site at http://msi.nga.mil/NGAPortal/MSI.portal. Select BROADCAST WARNINGS, scroll down to SEARCH BOX, and select MARAD Advisories.
3. U.S.-flag vessels are advised to remain vigilant when transiting the Sulu and Celebes seas in light of recent boardings and kidnappings that have taken place between Sabah, Malaysia and the southern Philippines. There have been 13 reported kidnappings in this area this year, of which at least nine were reportedly linked to the abu sayyaf group (ASG).
4. Previously when crewmember kidnappings took place in this area, only towing and fishing vessels were targeted. However, since October 2016, ASG has reportedly targeted two large commercial vessels and a private yacht. The level of violence has been high during some of these attacks, as was demonstrated on November 7, 2016 when kidnappers boarded a yacht, killed one female crewmember, and kidnapped the remaining crewmember. Thus far, no U.S. vessels have been involved in these incidents.
5. Additional info on this threat, including specific recommendations for vessels transiting the area is available on the regional cooperation agreement on combating piracy and armed robbery against ships in Asia (recaap) website at http://www.recaap.org.
6. Mariners operating near this area are also advised to consult the department of state travel warning for this area at http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings/philippines-travel-warning.html.
7. THIS ADVISORY IS EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY AND WILL REMAIN IN EFFECT UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
8. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING THIS ADVISORY, CONTACT CAMERON NARON, DIRECTOR OF MARITIME SECURITY, MARITIME ADMINISTRATION, CODE: MAR-420, 1200 NEW JERSEY AVE, S.E., WASHINGTON, DC 20590, TELEPHONE 202-366-1883, FAX 202-366-3954, TLX II 710.822.9426 (MARAD DOT WSH), OR .