Advised to exercise caution

In case you’ve been living in a cave, or have a tendency to be drawn toward conflict, this US Maritime Advisory is for you:

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in late February, there have been reports of multiple commercial vessels being struck by projectiles and/or experiencing explosions in Ukrainian ports, and in the northwestern Black Sea off the coast of Ukraine.

There have also been reports of naval mines in the water near Odesa. There is a high risk of damage to U.S.- flagged commercial vessels in this region.

U.S. flagged commercial vessels should avoid entering or approaching the Sea of Azov, Ukrainian ports, or Ukrainian territorial waters in the northwestern Black Sea.

Vessels operating near these areas are advised to exercise caution, conduct a risk assessment; review security measures; review current NATO Shipping Center, NAVAREA III and other local broadcast warnings; and incorporate appropriate protective measures into their vessel security plans.

Vessels should ensure AIS is transmitting at all times (except when the master believes that continuing to operate AIS might compromise the safety or security of the ship or when a security incident is imminent), consistent with provisions of the International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), and monitor VHF Channel 16.

In the event of any incident or suspicious activity, U.S. flagged commercial vessels should notify the NATO Shipping Center and activate the Ship Security Alert System immediately.

U.S. flagged commercial vessels are also encouraged to participate in the NATO Shipping Center’s Mediterranean Voluntary Reporting Scheme. This entails contacting the NATO Shipping Center when entering or departing the Mediterranean Sea, and/or departing port in the Mediterranean Sea.

Vessels operating in these areas may encounter GPS interference, AIS spoofing, and/or other communications jamming.