Coast Guard to U.S. ships in pirate waters: Turn off your blinker, mateys!
Published Date: 2/7/2025
Notice
Summary
The Coast Guard updated the rules for U.S. ships sailing in dangerous waters where piracy and attacks happen. Starting January 10, 2025, vessel owners must follow new security steps, including cutting down electronic signals to stay safer. If you run a U.S. ship, get the latest guide from your local Coast Guard office now to stay in the know and avoid trouble.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 4 costs, 1 mixed.
New Rules to Reduce Electronic Transmissions
Revision 9 adds provisions requiring reduction of electronic vessel transmissions (devices that generate radio-frequency signals). Examples listed include cellular and satellite phones, vessel-to-vessel and vessel-to-shore radios, Automatic Identification System (AIS), Long Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT) systems, and radar.
Red Sea and Arabian Sea Designated High-Risk
Revision 9 amends Annex 1 to include the high risk waters of the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea. If you operate a U.S. vessel in those waters, the MARSEC guidance for high-risk waters applies.
Revision 9 Effective January 10, 2025
Revision 9 of MARSEC Directive 104-6 has been in effect since January 10, 2025, and Revision 8 is no longer valid after that date. If you operate a U.S. vessel, you must follow the guidance in Revision 9 starting on that date.
Northern Limits of Red Sea HRW Revised
Revision 9 revises the northern limits of the high risk waters of the Red Sea. This changes precisely which parts of the Red Sea are treated as high-risk waters under the directive.
Restricted Access; Contact Local Coast Guard
The directive contains security-sensitive information and is not publicly available; U.S. vessel owners/operators must contact their local Coast Guard Captain of the Port or District Commander to obtain a copy of Revision 9. The Coast Guard warns operators that they may need to take specific actions in accordance with Revision 9 before entering high risk waters.
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