EU Naval Force - Somalia
Operation ATALANTA

During its port visit to Mombasa, EU NAVFOR French Flagship DE GRASSE explained once more the importance of Best Management Practices (BMP) in briefings to merchant vessel captains and crew.

Officers from EU NAVFOR FS DE GRASSE met a number of merchant vessel masters in harbour. They distributed leaflets to them and briefed them in procedures to best prevent pirate successfully attacking ships in the Gulf of Aden and Somali Basin.

In addition to MSCHOA registration and a high degree of vigilance, BMP are vital to merchant vessels security, as they have proven effective in decreasing significantly the risk of being pirated.

The purpose of the BMP is to assist ships to avoid, deter or delay piracy attacks off the coast of Somalia, including the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea. Experience, supported by data collected by Naval Forces, shows that the application of the recommendations contained within this booklet can, and will, make a significant difference in preventing a ship becoming a victim of piracy.

“The Best Management Practice (BMP) booklet should perhaps not be called ‘Best’ Management Practice but ‘Minimum’ Management Practice: self protection measures and ongoing vigilance remain, today, the most effective measures against piracy. However, there are, unfortunately, still some ships passing through the Gulf of Aden without applying the BMP measures or without being registered on the MSCHOA website. ” said Colonel Richard Spencer, Chief of Staff of EU NAVFOR Operational Headquarters, on 25 August to maritime industry representatives.