West Africa

One of the key reporting centres within West Africa is the MDAT-GoG. As detailed in the Maritime Security Chart Q6114.

Information delivered from MDAT-GoG will be represented on this website, therefore verification and contact is to be made through the MDAT-GoG contact details.

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Voluntary Reporting Area

Provides Maritime Security guidance to the mariner operating in the Voluntary Reporting Area. It receives reports and information on suspicious incidents from merchant shipping and shares that information with its regional, national contacts, as well as Industry and vessels operating in that area.

MDAT - GoG Voluntary Reporting area (VRA) as described on UKHO Chart Q6114 (insert chart image)
All vessels operating within the VRA are encouraged to register with MDAT - GoG. Registering establishes direct contact between the reporting vessel and the MDAT based in Portsmouth UK and Brest France: Once direct contact has been established the MDAT is able to: 

• Inform / Warn the vessel reporting about maritime incidents which may affect that vessel.
• Receive reports of maritime security incidents and suspicious activity from the reporting vessel.
• Share information provided by the reporting vessel to the appropriate authorities within the region.
•  Inform the reporting vessel about suspect vessels in the VRA.
• Assist with other information enquiries from the reporting vessel.

Vessels are also encouraged to report positional information daily while operating in the VRA (including when at anchor or berthed alongside) using one of the reporting forms as contained within this website, and outlined in chart Q6114.

MDAT - GoG Information Sharing

MDAT - GOG receives information from a large number of sources. In addition to the invaluable information received from vessels reporting from the VRA, MDAT - GoG also receives information form many organisations within the region including military maritime operations’ centres and port authorities. From the information received and the maritime domain picture produced MDAT - GoG is able to provide direct warnings of maritime security incidents (Attacks; Hijacks; Robbery; Boardings) to reporting vessels, and wider Industry. MDAT - GoG also provides more general warnings in the form of advisory notices to vessels concerning suspicious incidents .

MDAT - GoG shares relevant information with appropriate authorities within states in the region. All information received by MDAT - GoG is strictly controlled in a secure information system and recognises that the source and content of the information is often extremely sensitive. 

It is important to note that whilst MDAT - GoG liaises with military maritime operations centres its role is not to coordinate a military response.