Resource

The first edition of Best Management Practices to deter piracy and enhance maritime security off the coast of West Africa including the Gulf of Guinea (BMP WA), developed by industry partners and supported by governments and military organisations, is available. This publication provides information on specific threats in the regions and ship protection measures for maritime professionals to detect, deter and prevail external threats to their safety and security.

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The STCW Convention and Code is continually being updated and amended to suit the changing requirements of the maritime industry. The ITF have produced previous guidance for seafarers under STCW 95 and the 2010 Manila amendments that reflect the necessary qualifications and experience of a seafarer dependent on their role and type of ship they are employed on.

This document was developed by a group of various organisations, including the ITF, and has been endorsed by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and the European Commission.

It outlines the procedures that companies and crews should follow in order to prevent ships from being attacked and hijacked.
Crews should be aware that the following factors increase the risk of a vessel being captured:

• low freeboard
• slow speeds
• good weather
• the crew and the ship not being prepared
• the ship not reporting in to the naval authorities

Vessels whose full speed is below 18 knots should stay out of the High Risk Area.

Ships transiting the High Risk Area must report their movements to the naval authorities and follow their instructions, beginning 4-5 days before they enter the Gulf of Aden. Extra lookouts should be posted. All vessels must use the International Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC). Ships reporting in will be given the latest advice on how to avoid piracy attacks.  
 

The IMO has adopted a mandatory safety code for ships using gases or other low-flashpoint fuels. The booklet provides a brief information on the IGF Code and what will happen to seafarers’ training requirements. For more in-depth information, refer to the ITF Guidelines on IGF Code. The ITF Secretariat will provide more information if it is requested via maritime@itf.org.uk .

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This IBF Agreement(hereinafter ‘Agreement’ or ‘CBA’)is based on the IBF Framework CBA which sets out the standard terms and conditions applicable only to seafarers serving on any ship owned or operated by a Company in membership with the Joint Negotiating Group in respect of which there is in existence an IBF Special Agreement.

The ITF’s flagship annual publication for seafarers