Priority Broadcast Alert – Europe and the Mediterranean

A Saint Kitts and Nevis-flagged bulk carrier was damaged during a Russian Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) attack on the Odessa region, Ukraine. Air raid alarms were first activated at 20:56 UTC and continued until 23:30 UTC. The Odesa Regional State Administration stated that a merchant vessel flying the flag of Saint Kitts and Nevis, “en route to one of the ports of Greater Odessa, was struck by a UAV”; a fire broke out onboard and was subsequently extinguished. No casualties relating to the incident had been reported. Ambrey observed that the vessel stopped broadcasting AIS signals at approximately 14:58 UTC on 23 April, 10 NM southeast of Sulina, Romania. At the time of the attack, no merchant vessels were detected in the Port of Odessa; however, merchant vessels have previously withheld AIS transmissions while conducting Black Sea port calls.

ADVICE: Vessels conducting Black Sea port calls are advised to conduct comprehensive dynamic voyage threat assessments. Crew are advised to remain within the designated Safe Muster Point (SMP) during UAV attacks on infrastructure. The SMP should be located above the waterline, amidships, and low down in the superstructure.