DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF SHIPPING

Purpose:-

The purpose of this circular is draw the attention of Ship Owners, Ship Operators (Companies), Masters and Seafarers in understanding the importance of provisions of the 1972 Collision Regulations and defining the ship’s AIS policy considering the provisions of SOLAS convention. It also recommends the actions to be taken to deter acts of piracy while transiting Gulf of Aden (GoA) region using deck lights or other lights if fitted.

1. It has been brought to the notice of this Directorate that a number of Indian merchant ships navigating through the Gulf of Aden (GoA) region during the hours of darkness are switching off their navigation lights to avoid the detection by pirates. This is a violation of statutory requirement laid under provisions of the International Convention for Prevention of Collision Sea (Colregs 1972) as amended. The Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) is seriously concerned about this violation and reiterates that such practices may lead to collision at sea.

2. The Indian Navy has also reported similar instances, wherein Indian Naval vessels patrolling in the area have observed increase in number of merchant ships transiting Gulf of Aden region with their navigation lights and Automatic Identification System switched off thereby violating the statutory requirements

3. Therefore, following actions are emphasized and impressed upon all concerned when transiting Gulf of Aden region:-

.1 When underway, ships shall use the maximum lighting available in consistent with safe navigation, having regard in particular to the provisions of rule 20(b) of the International Rules for Prevention of Collision at Sea at all times.

.2 Ships masters shall comply with the 1972 Collision Regulations and ensure that navigation lights are not turned off at night.

.3 Ships may use wide beam flood light if fitted to illuminate the area astern of the ship and bow and over side lights should be left on if possible.

.4 Signal projector lights can be used systematically to probe for suspect craft detected on radar if possible. As far as practicable, crewmembers on duty, outside the ship’s secure areas, when in port or at anchor, should avail of shadows and avoid being silhouetted by deck lights as this may make them easy target for seizure by approaching attackers.

.5 It is recommended that in addition, all deck lights and flood lights should be turned on when attackers approach. This would convey the message that they have been seen and perhaps dazzle them and discourage them to board vessel. The fitting of passive infrared (PIR) activated floodlights on the periphery of the ship could be considered to ensure that the lights do come on automatically, even if attackers are not sighted by ship’s crew in advance.

.6 When at anchorage, all the ships shall use the anchor lights in consistent with 1972 Collision Regulations.

.7 Ships which are not adequately fitted with deck lights are recommended to consider replacing / relocating and / or increasing the number of flood lights to reduce the number of dark areas vulnerable to night infiltration.

.8 Lighting of vulnerable areas could be linked to alarm system or detection by surveillance equipment.

4. It is difficult, however, to maintain full blackout on a merchant ship. The effectiveness of this approach will ultimately depend in part on the level of moonlight, but primarily on the vigilance and light discipline (the control of emitted light) by the ship’s crew. While suddenly turning on the ship’s lights may alarm or dazzle attackers it could also place the crew stationed at crucial point at a disadvantage due to temporary loss of night vision. Therefore following recommendations may be considered:-

.1 All the crewmembers to be instructed on how to preserve and enhance their night vision.

.2 Crew members are trained to maximize their visual acuity by the simple expedient of not looking directly at the light i.e. by focusing a few degrees (any direction) off the target. In this manner peripheral vision is utilized which is better suited to both motion detection and night sight.

.3 Master shall ensure that crewmembers are adequately briefed and trained prior transiting Gulf of Aden region. Also, some practice may be adopted to warn crewmembers that lights are about to be switched on, without forewarning the attackers.

5. SOLAS Chapter V covering Safety of Navigation permits the Master to switch off AIS, if he believes that its use increases the ship’s vulnerability. However to provide naval vessels, with tracking information, within the GOA region, it is highly recommended that AIS transmission is continued without any restriction. When transiting off the coast of Somalia, if master decides to switch AIS off completely, then for the security reasons the ship masters should routinely transmit their positions to the owner / manager at agreed intervals, thereby giving them first hand information that something is amiss if the transmissions are interrupted. Ship Masters should act in accordance with resolution A. 917(22) on guidelines for the onboard operational use of ship borne Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) concerning turning the AIS off.

6. While transiting GoA region, all ships should have a minimum external communications (radios, handsets and AIS information) barring essential for safety and security related communication and passing SOLAS related obligatory information.

7. Keep the ship illuminated, particularly, the outer side and the whole length of the deck, using high powered floodlights. Seafarers should keep in mind that poor visibility impedes the lookout favoring unlawful activities.

Sd/-
(Capt. Nitin Bawa)
Nautical Surveyor-cum-
Dy.Director General of Shipping (Tech)

ISPS Circular : NT/ISPS/01/2010
NO: 35-NT(01)/2009	Dated 18.01.2010
Sub: Dangers associated with switching off Automatic Identification System (AIS) & Navigational Lights on Ships while transiting Gulf of Aden (GoA) Region.
Purpose:- The purpose of this circular is draw the attention of Ship Owners, Ship Operators (Companies), Masters and Seafarers in understanding the importance of provisions of the 1972 Collision Regulations and defining the ship’s AIS policy considering the provisions of SOLAS convention. It also recommends the actions to be taken to deter acts of piracy while transiting Gulf of Aden (GoA) region using deck lights or other lights if fitted. 1. It has been brought to the notice of this Directorate that a number of Indian merchant ships navigating through the Gulf of Aden (GoA) region during the hours of darkness are switching off their navigation lights to avoid the detection by pirates. This is a violation of statutory requirement laid under provisions of the International Convention for Prevention of Collision Sea (Colregs 1972) as amended. The Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) is seriously concerned about this violation and reiterates that such practices may lead to collision at sea. 2. The Indian Navy has also reported similar instances, wherein Indian Naval vessels patrolling in the area have observed increase in number of merchant ships transiting Gulf of Aden region with their navigation lights and Automatic Identification System switched off thereby violating the statutory requirements 3. Therefore, following actions are emphasized and impressed upon all concerned when transiting Gulf of Aden region:- .1 When underway, ships shall use the maximum lighting available in consistent with safe navigation, having regard in particular to the provisions of rule 20(b) of the International Rules for Prevention of Collision at Sea at all times. .2 Ships masters shall comply with the 1972 Collision Regulations and ensure that navigation lights are not turned off at night. .3 Ships may use wide beam flood light if fitted to illuminate the area astern of the ship and bow and over side lights should be left on if possible. .4 Signal projector lights can be used systematically to probe for suspect craft detected on radar if possible. As far as practicable, crewmembers on duty, outside the ship’s secure areas, when in port or at anchor, should avail of shadows and avoid being silhouetted by deck lights as this may make them easy target for seizure by approaching attackers. .5 It is recommended that in addition, all deck lights and flood lights should be turned on when attackers approach. This would convey the message that they have been seen and perhaps dazzle them and discourage them to board vessel. The fitting of passive infrared (PIR) activated floodlights on the periphery of the ship could be considered to ensure that the lights do come on automatically, even if attackers are not sighted by ship’s crew in advance. .6 When at anchorage, all the ships shall use the anchor lights in consistent with 1972 Collision Regulations. .7 Ships which are not adequately fitted with deck lights are recommended to consider replacing / relocating and / or increasing the number of flood lights to reduce the number of dark areas vulnerable to night infiltration. .8 Lighting of vulnerable areas could be linked to alarm system or detection by surveillance equipment. 4. It is difficult, however, to maintain full blackout on a merchant ship. The effectiveness of this approach will ultimately depend in part on the level of moonlight, but primarily on the vigilance and light discipline (the control of emitted light) by the ship’s crew. While suddenly turning on the ship’s lights may alarm or dazzle attackers it could also place the crew stationed at crucial point at a disadvantage due to temporary loss of night vision. Therefore following recommendations may be considered:- .1 All the crewmembers to be instructed on how to preserve and enhance their night vision. .2 Crew members are trained to maximize their visual acuity by the simple expedient of not looking directly at the light i.e. by focusing a few degrees (any direction) off the target. In this manner peripheral vision is utilized which is better suited to both motion detection and night sight. .3 Master shall ensure that crewmembers are adequately briefed and trained prior transiting Gulf of Aden region. Also, some practice may be adopted to warn crewmembers that lights are about to be switched on, without forewarning the attackers. 5. SOLAS Chapter V covering Safety of Navigation permits the Master to switch off AIS, if he believes that its use increases the ship’s vulnerability. However to provide naval vessels, with tracking information, within the GOA region, it is highly recommended that AIS transmission is continued without any restriction. When transiting off the coast of Somalia, if master decides to switch AIS off completely, then for the security reasons the ship masters should routinely transmit their positions to the owner / manager at agreed intervals, thereby giving them first hand information that something is amiss if the transmissions are interrupted. Ship Masters should act in accordance with resolution A. 917(22) on guidelines for the onboard operational use of ship borne Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) concerning turning the AIS off. 6. While transiting GoA region, all ships should have a minimum external communications (radios, handsets and AIS information) barring essential for safety and security related communication and passing SOLAS related obligatory information. 7. Keep the ship illuminated, particularly, the outer side and the whole length of the deck, using high powered floodlights. Seafarers should keep in mind that poor visibility impedes the lookout favoring unlawful activities. 8. This information may be disseminated to all members. 9. This issues with the approval of Nautical Advisor to the Govt of India. Sd/- (Capt. Nitin Bawa) Nautical Surveyor-cum- Dy.Director General of Shipping (Tech)
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