U.S. Maritime Advisory 2024-009

Geographic Location: Strait of Hormuz, and Gulf of Oman
Description: Iranian Illegal Boarding / Detention / Seizure

1. References: This advisory is extracted from U.S. Maritime Advisory 2024-006 to provide clarity for threats in this geographic region. U.S. Maritime Advisory 2024-006 is canceled.

2. Issue: Although there is no specific threat to U.S.-flagged vessels, commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman may be at risk of being illegally boarded and detained or seized by Iranian forces. Recent incidents over the past year include the April 2024 Iranian seizure of a Portuguese-flagged vessel in the Strait of Hormuz and the January 2024 Iranian seizure of a Marshall Islands-flagged vessel in the Gulf of Oman. Iranian forces attempted to seize one Marshall Islands-flagged vessel and one Bahamas-flagged vessel in the Gulf of Oman in July 2023, but were prevented from doing so by U.S. Naval Forces. Iranian forces have utilized small boats and helicopters during boarding operations and have attempted to force commercial vessels into Iranian territorial waters.

The U.S. government is continually assessing the maritime security situation in the region to identify and differentiate threats and safeguard freedom of navigation, ensure the free flow of commerce, and protect U.S. vessels, personnel, and interests.

3. Guidance:

If hailed by Iranian forces, U.S.-flagged commercial vessels should provide vessel name and flag state and affirm that they are proceeding in accordance with international law as reflected in the Law of the Sea Convention.

If Iranian forces seek to board a U.S.-flagged commercial vessel navigating these waters, the vessel’s Master should, if the safety of the ship and crew would not be compromised, decline permission to board, noting that the vessel is proceeding in accordance with international law, as reflected in the Law of the Sea Convention.

If Iranian forces board a U.S.-flagged commercial vessel, the crew should not forcibly resist the boarding party. Refraining from forcible resistance does not imply consent or agreement to that boarding.

It is recommended that U.S.-flagged commercial vessels transiting these areas remain as far as possible from Iran’s territorial sea without compromising navigational safety. When transiting eastbound in the Strait of Hormuz, it is recommended that vessels transit close to Oman’s territorial sea.

Industry transit advice for the Gulf of Oman, Strait of Hormuz, and Persian Gulf, was issued on November 9, 2023, and can be found on the Maritime Global Security website at maritimeglobalsecurity.org/geography/goa-etc/.

U.S.-flagged commercial vessels should coordinate voyage planning with U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) Naval Cooperation and Guidance for Shipping (NCAGS) and consider their recommendations and guidance whenever possible. NAVCENT NCAGS stands a 24-hour watch and has the latest information on the current maritime security threats and the operational environment in this region. The International Maritime Security Construct (IMSC) is no longer standing a live watch or receiving calls.

American citizens abroad should inform the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate of their plans to transit the area and/or update their information via the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at: https://step.state.gov/step/. Yachting guidance can be found at: https://onshore.mschoa.org/reference-documents/advice-for-sailing-vessels.

U.S.-flagged commercial vessels operating in these waters are advised to conduct a pre-voyage risk assessment, incorporate appropriate protective measures into vessel security plans, exercise caution, and monitor VHF Channel 16. In the event of any attack, incident, or suspicious activity, immediately activate the Ship Security Alert System, contact the U.S. Fifth Fleet Battle Watch, and contact UKMTO.

U.S.-flagged commercial vessels should register with the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Office (UKMTO) watch and may contact NAVCENT NCAGS 24 hours prior to entering the Indian Ocean Voluntary Reporting Area by sending UKMTO, and if desired NAVCENT NCAGS, a single e-mail, the Initial Report from Annex D of (BMP). Include the estimated times of arrival at the Strait of Hormuz (SoH), and if applicable, at the Bab el Mandeb Strait (BAM) and the Suez Canal in line 10 of the report and add line 14 for comments as needed (e.g., speed restrictions or other constraints, anticipated time of entering/exiting the SoH Traffic Separation Scheme; an outline of the navigation plan for operating in the SoH and Persian Gulf, etc.). Utilize other reports included in Annex D of BMP as necessary.

Vessels operating in this area are advised to include the NAVCENT NCAGS watch on all updates or incident report emails.

The Maritime Global Security website at https://www.maritimeglobalsecurity.org/ offers industry issued best practices and guidance to mariners by geographic region and provides contact and subscription information for regional maritime security reporting centers, particularly in high risk-areas.

Answer all VHF calls from coalition navies. Vessels should be aware that U.S. and other coalition naval forces may conduct maritime awareness calls, queries, and approaches to ensure the safety of vessels transiting these listed waters.

Due to the risks of piracy, kidnapping, hijacking, and robbery while operating within U.S. Coast Guard designated High-Risk Waters (HRW), U.S.-flagged commercial vessels are required to comply with the Guidelines for U.S. Vessels Operating in High-Risk Waters contained in U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Security Directive 104-6 (Rev 8) and comply with their Coast Guard approved Vessel Security Plan annex on counter piracy. The U.S. Coast Guard Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance (CG-CVC) announced in the Federal Register in August 2021 the availability of Revision 8 to Maritime Security (MARSEC) Directive 104–6. U.S. vessel owners and operators who needed to act under previous versions of MARSEC Directive 104–6 should immediately contact their local Coast Guard Captain of the Port or District Commander for a copy of Revision 8.

Per 33 CFR 101.305, report all suspicious activities, breaches of security, and transportation security incident events involving U.S. vessels or persons to the U.S. Coast Guard National Response Center. Additional U.S. Coast Guard port specific requirements may be found in Port Security Advisory 1-22 at https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Portals/9/DCO%20Documents/InternationalPortSecurity/Port%20Security%20Advisory/PSA%20%20122%20Remove%20Cote%20d'Ivoire.pdfver=6DzYOEsWAJQVh7ld4c0ycQ%3d%3d

4. Contact Information:

a) Fifth Fleet Battle Watch: cusnc.bwc@me.navy.mil or + 973-1785-3879.

b) NAVCENT NCAGS: +973-1785-0033 (Primary/Watch Desk), +973-3940-4523 (Alternate), or m-ba-navcent-ncags@us.navy.mil.

c) UKMTO: watchkeepers@ukmto.org or +44 (0) 2392 222060. UKMTO advisories and warnings are available at https://www.ukmto.org/.

d) U.S. Coast Guard National Response Center: +1-800-424-8802.

5. Cancellation of Prior Advisories: This message supersedes and cancels U.S. Maritime Advisory 2024-06 and will automatically expire on February 12, 2025.

For maritime industry questions about this Advisory, contact the Global Maritime Operational Threat Response Coordination Center at GMCC@uscg.mil. Supplemental information about U.S. Maritime Alerts and Advisories, including subscription details, may be found at: https://www.maritime.dot.gov/msci. Feedback provided by U.S. maritime industry stakeholders regarding the U.S. Maritime Advisory System has greatly supported the USG in pursuing continued enhancements to this system. Feedback to MARADSecurity@dot.gov is always welcome.