GUIDANCE NOTICE NO: 013

REPORTING OF INCIDENTS OF PIRACY AND ARMED ROBBERY AGAINST SHIPS WITHIN GHANA’S MARITIME JURISDICTION

 

It has come to the attention of the Ghana Maritime Authority that incidents of piracy and armed robbery within the territorial waters of Ghana are mis-reported and published in the private and public domain.

In that regard, the Ghana Maritime Authority wishes to inform shipowners, ship operators, shipping companies, Agents, and ships’ masters that they are required to promptly report all incidents of piracy and armed robbery against any ship within Ghana’s maritime jurisdiction to the Ghana Maritime Authority before the ship departs from the territorial waters of Ghana.

This is in accordance with the reporting mechanisms set out in MSC.1/Circ.1333.Rev1 on Recommendations to Governments for preventing and suppressing piracy and armed robbery against ships and MSC.1/Circ.1334 on Guidance to shipowners and ship operators, shipmasters, and crews on preventing and suppressing acts of piracy and armed robbery against ships.

The shipowners, ship operators, shipping companies, Agents, and ships’ masters shall report the incidents of piracy and armed robbery in an accurate and timely manner to the VTMIS (East, Central, and West Control Centres through the following media:

 

1. VTMIS East

VHF Channel: 16 & 71

Tel: 0303 973385

Email:vtmis.east@ghanamaritime.org

 

2. VTMIS West

VHF Channel: 16 & 67

Tel: 0303 973386

Email:vtmis.west@ghanamaritime.org

 

3. VTMIS Central

VHF Channel: 16/67/71

Tel: 0303 973384

Email:vtmis.central@ghanamaritime.org

 

This Notice is issued in accordance with section 479 A of the Ghana Shipping (Amendment) Act, 2011(Act 826), which mandates the Authority to issue Maritime Circulars for the purpose of disseminating relevant information on maritime safety, security, marine pollution prevention and other relevant maritime matters.

This Notice shall take effect from the 15th of June 2023 and all shipowners, ship operators, shipping companies, Agents, and ships’ masters are requested to comply and implement the immediate reporting mechanisms to the VTMIS Control Centers in the message format as outlined in MSC.1 / Circ.1333 Rev 1.

 

 

SIGNED

THOMAS K. ALONSI

DIRECTOR-GENERAL                                                  

                                                                                                Office Address:

                                                                                  No. 19 Mayor Road

                                                                             West Ridge

                                                                        Accra

                                                                            Digital Address: GA-051-0461