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Introduction

If you鈥檙e travelling in a yacht or boat, be aware of the risks at sea. View the聽travel advice page for the country you鈥檙e going to or near for specific information on risks that could affect you. Make a note of useful contact details like the nearest聽British embassy, high commission or consulate聽and the local emergency services.

Further information on staying safe at seas and security incidents at sea is available from:

If you run a shipping company, view the Maritime and Coastguard Agency鈥檚 Ship Security page, which explains how to comply with UK regulations on ship security.听

Piracy and armed robbery

The shipping industry-led 聽(BMP) provides advice to help plan ships鈥� voyages and detect, avoid, deter, delay and report attacks.听If you鈥檙e attacked, report the incident to the nearest聽British embassy, high commission or consulate, the relevant naval and law enforcement authorities and the regional reporting centre.

You can also report any maritime crime or security incident anywhere in the world to the . The IMB PRC is a single point of contact and immediately sends information to the local law enforcement agencies requesting assistance. It also immediately broadcasts information to all vessels in the Indian Ocean region, providing vital intelligence and increasing awareness.

Firearms

Do not carry any kind of gun. If you do, the skipper must make sure the flag state and host country allows it. Penalties for using firearms can be severe in some countries.

The North West Indian Ocean, Horn of Africa, Gulf of Aden and Red Sea

Since January 2024 there has been military activity in response to Houthi militants鈥� attempts to prevent international shipping movements in the Red Sea. Whilst this activity is only in the Gulf of Aden, Red Sea, and Yemen, Travel Advice for nearby countries could change at short notice. Continue to monitor Travel Advice and follow any relevant instructions from local authorities.听 The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office鈥檚 (FCDO) ability to provide consular help from countries along Red Sea coast is extremely limited.听

The threat of piracy-related activity and armed robbery off the coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden has reduced from its peak, but it remains a risk. Pirate attacks can occur up to 1,000 nautical miles from the Somali coast. Sailing vessels should not enter the former High-Risk Area, as they may be particularly vulnerable to attack due to their low speed and height between the waterline and the deck.

Report journey information regularly to the , the main contact for liaising with regional response organisations and military forces.听It is available 24 hours a day and will provide regional maritime security briefs to support risk assessment.听You can contact UKMTO by email [email protected],聽and view the latest maritime security alerts at

Before you travel through this area, register with the . This organisation聽.听

West Africa

Piracy and armed robbery at sea remain a threat off the western coast of Africa, particularly in the Gulf of Guinea. Most attacks happen off the coast of Nigeria鈥檚 Niger Delta region, although there have also been attacks off the coasts of Benin, C么te d鈥橧voire, Ghana, Guinea and Togo. Pirate and armed robbery groups operating off Nigeria usually kidnap people for ransom.

to risk-assess voyages and mitigate external threats around the coast of West Africa, including the Gulf of Guinea.

If you鈥檙e travelling in this area, contact the by email聽[email protected]聽or call +33(0)2 98 22 88 88. MDAT-GOG, operated by the Royal Navy and the French Navy, asks all vessels passing through the Voluntary Reporting Area (VRA) in the Gulf of Guinea to report in regularly. In return it provides warnings and updates on attacks in the region.

Southeast Asia

Piracy and armed robbery in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore region generally involve stealing personal property in ports and anchorages. Sometimes they involve hijacking ships and pleasure yachts to steal cargo or for ransom.

If you鈥檙e travelling in this area, view the聽 website. Provided by the Asia Information Sharing Centre (ReCAAP ISC), this gives advice on incidents and trends.

Black Sea

Since 2022 there has been military activity in the Black Sea due to Russia鈥檚 illegal invasion of Ukraine.听There is an increased risk to boats and ships, particularly in waters close to Russia and Ukraine.听The FCDO鈥檚 ability to provide consular assistance to British nationals in Russia and Ukraine, and parts of Georgia, including close to affected waters, is limited.听Continue to monitor FCDO Travel Advice for the latest information on regional risks in:

• Ukraine
• Russia
• Georgia

Disclaimer

The聽FCDO聽works with a range of independent partner organisations but we cannot be liable or held responsible in any way for their advice, decisions or outcomes. We are not responsible for the content of other organisations鈥� websites and cannot accept any legal responsibility for any information they give you.