Authorized Responses

to
Bridge Card-Middle East Operations Unknown Authorities
If Hailed by Unknown Authorities:
Response 1 INTERNATIONAL
Call UKMTO and provide regular updates.
Provide crew details. Hailed by Unknown
This is Merchant Vessel ****.
This ship is engaged in innocent
passage. I am navigating as
MARITIME SECURITY
CONSTRUCT
Maintain open phone line with UKMTO. Authorities
permitted by international law
and request you do not impede

(IMSC)
my safe passage sir. Over.
Use Response 1
Respond on VHF professionally Response 2
Repeat & continue to
- DO NOT IGNORE -
repeat until nolonger This is Merchant Vessel ****. This
(See Authorized Response on reverse side.) vessel is engaged on innocent
tenable

De-escalate to Response 1
passage and I urge your
compliance with international

when possible
law. Request you maintain a
Check vessel position by multiple methods safe distance and not impede
Hailed with demands to innocent passage. All your
before confirming position. prepare to be boarded actions are being recorded
and reported to [Note 1]. This
vessel has not experienced
a navigational incident and
Contact CSO. Use Response 2 has conducted itself lawfully
throughout the voyage. My
flag state is the ***** and you
should contact my Flag State or
Unknown Authorities [Company Name] if you require
If possible, live stream VDR. any further information. Over.
Upload VDR to DPA at 10 minute intervals. continue their approach
or are close to boarding
Response 3
This is Merchant Vessel ****.
Head to nearest friendly territorial waters/ Your actions are impeding the
Use Response 3
warship at best possible speed if safe to do so. safe navigation of this vessel,
in contravention of international
maritime law and may endanger
my vessel and crew. We are
VIGILANCE
in contact with this ship‘s flag
If boarding attempted, industry best pratice:
Note 1
Report to UKMTO
state. I repeat, your actions are
being reported to the [Note 1].
I formally request you cease
SURVEILLANCE
• Manoeuvre away from danger (recommended) and impeding this ship‘s safety
• Report to UKMTO - as above
• Use of the Citadel within a TSS is to be
relevant national
authorities
and interrupting its innocent
passage. Over. ASSURANCE
carefully considered
• If persistent - do not endanger your vessel or
KEY CONTACTS
your people - slow down and allow to board
UKMTO (reporting): +44 2392 222060
[email protected]
IMSC (information only): +973 1785 8465 International Maritime Security Construct
[email protected]
@IMSC_SENTINEL
 International Maritime Security Construct REPORTING
Vigilance, Surveillance, Assurance The IMSC works alongside existing
reporting mechanisms. Vessels should
ALB AUS BAH KSA UAE UK US Additional
continue to report to UKMTO in the VRA
Countries Welcome as designated by chart Q6099/6111; in
addition, should provide to UKMTO:
THE WHY...
• The region contains some of the most important choke points in the world - 17,000 ships each year transit through the
Bab el-Mandeb Strait. One-sixth of global oil production and one-third of the world’s liquified natural gas transit the Strait of
Hormuz.
• ETA at the Suez Canal
• An increase in malign activity during 2019 threatened freedom of navigation through these critical waterways. A disruption
of seaborne trade in the Middle East will send ripples throughout the world economy.
• ETA at the start of the Bab el-Mandeb
THE WHAT.... The International Maritime Security Construct will: Strait Traffic Separation Scheme
Maintain freedom of navigation, international law, and free flow of commerce to support • ETA at the start of the Strait of Hormuz
regional stability and security of the maritime commons.
Traffic Separation Scheme
THE HOW... OPERATION SENTINEL
International solution to an international problem. Seven nations [as of Nov. 1] have joined the International Maritime
Security Construct to demonstrate their commitment to the international rules-based system. IMSC is complementary to other UKMTO will inform IMSC; IMSC will pass
international maritime missions and existing reporting systems in the region, that promote maritime security.
to warships / aircraft which will provide
Reassurance to the global merchant community. We are committed to ensuring legitmate mariners have unrestricted use surveillance and assurance to you in
of international waterways. We will maintain contact with the merchant vessel community and partner nations through regular
maritime VHF safety calls, and by sharing of Maritime Domain Awareness information. critical chokepoints, and deterrence to
Credible deterrence of malign activity. We will maintain a persistent presence and vigilance in the area of operations. Large
those intent on malign activity.
naval vessels (Sentinels) such as frigates and destroyers are providing overwatch of critical choke points; smaller naval vessels
(Sentries) such as patrol craft and corvettes are patrolling between them; and airborne surveillance is monitoring the flow of
traffic through the highest risk areas. This is underpinned by an international HQ and supporting infrastructure in Bahrain.

RECOMMENDATIONS
• Keep AIS on
• Transit chokepoints at best speed
SENTRY • Avoid Strait of Hormuz Western TSS
• Avoid TTW where possible
• Private Contracted Armed Security
Personnel (PCASP) should not be used as
a risk mitigation measure in these waters
Arabian Gulf
Reference:
https://www.maritimeglobalsecurity.org/
media/041/2019-07-03-industry-guidance.pdf
SUPPORT

AIR
AIRBORNE SURVEILLANCE • Refer to latest BMP
Red Sea
(currently BMP5)
Yemen

SENTINEL As of Nov. 12, 2019