On the 19th of May at 0830 UTC UKMTO received a report of an attack against the sailing trimaran LAKOTA, south-east of the Yemeni port of Hodeidah in south Red Sea close to the strategic Bab-el-Mandeb Straight. The boat was reportedly sailing close to the Yemeni shore due to navigation hazard. Three boats, with five person on-board with civilian clothes, reportedly approached the Hong-Kong-flagged sailing boat, firing around 20 warning shots and displaying Rocket-propelled grenade launchers and assault rifles. One of the assailants managed to board the vessel. Using evasive measures, the sailing vessel managed to escape and the crew is safe on-board SV LAKOTA.

Position: 14:19.00N – 042:42.00E

The incident may prompt short term disruption to shipping and other maritime transport through Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab, and the Gulf of Aden.

The embarkation of an armed security team will mitigate the risk of highjack but not attacks. To date no vessel has been highjacked with an armed onboard security team, by Triaena Maritime Security LTD. Security protection measures in accordance with BMP% must be applied and tested.

Triaena Maritime Security LTD.