RMI issues navigation warning for vessels trading on the Benin Bight off West Africa

TIN news:   The Maritime Administrator of the Republic of the Marshall Islands has recently received a report stating that because of their anti-piracy protocols some commercial vessels trading on the Benin Bight off West Africa may not be displaying navigation lights as required by the International Regulations for Prevention of Collisions at Sea 1972 (COLREGS).
In addition, their automatic identification system (AIS) may also not be transmitting.
The Administrator strongly recommends that ship managers and masters of Republic of the Marshall Islands registered vessels trading on the Benin Bight share this information with all Bridge Team members, and that this situation be factored into their berth-to-berth voyage plans.
Additionally it is recommended that Bridge Teams be reminded of the need to maintain a sharp lookout, especially in hours of darkness, and to use radar information for collision avoidance.