West African piracy attacks are increasing in both number and range according to the International Maritime Bureau’s (IMB) Piracy Reporting Centre and the US Maritime Liaison Office (MARLO) Weekly Piracy & Threat Summary (PATS). In 2012 so far there have been more than 21 attacks in the Gulf of Guinea, with three vessels having been hijacked. Some 42 crew members have been taken hostage and two kidnapped by pirates.
Pirates in West Africa have attacked, hijacked and robbed vessels and kidnapped crews all along the coast, at anchorages, in rivers and ports and surrounding waters. In most cases pirates armed with assault rifles have approached anchored vessels in one or two speed boats with 6-8 pirates in each; one boat approaching from the forward and the other from the aft.
See attached file: Piracy – increasing number of attacks in the Gulf of Guinea.pdf
几内亚湾海盗袭击数量增加
据国际海洋局（IMB）海盗报告中心及美国海事联络办公室（MARLO）《一周海盗行为和威胁总结》（PATS）报道，西非海盗袭击的数量和范围不断扩大。截止到目前，2012年几内亚湾已发生21起袭击事件，其中3艘船舶被劫持。海盗扣押约42名船员作为人质，并绑架了2名船员。
海盗于西非海岸、锚地、河流和港口以及附近水域袭击、劫持和抢劫船舶并绑架船员。大多数情况下，海盗乘坐一至两艘快艇，每艘快艇上有6至8人，他们手持突击步枪，分别从船头和船尾两个方向接近船舶。
详细信息请参阅附件。
