1. REPORTS FROM MARITIME FORCES AND COMMERICAL MARITIME INTERESTS INDICATE CONCERN WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR LOCALIZED DISRUPTION TO SHIPPING IN CONJUNCTION WITH FUTURE IRANIAN NAVAL EXERICISES. DURING PREVIOUS EXERCISES IRANIAN MARITIME FORCES CONDUCTED BOARDINGS AND INSPECTIONS OF MERCHANT SHIPS, INCLUDING THOSE FLAGGED TO EUROPEAN NATIONS. THE POSSIBILITY EXISTS THAT IRAN WILL ATTEMPT TO CONDUCT BOARDINGS AND INSPECTIONS DURING EXERCISES WITH LIMITED WARNINGS BEFORE COMMENCING THE EXERCISE. THE MOST LIKELY LOCATION FOR THIS ACTIVITY WOULD BE IN THE VICINITY OF THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ, PARTICULARLY IN AREAS CLOSER TO CLAIMED IRANIAN TERRITORIAL WATERS.

2. THE MARITIME ADMINISTRATION INTENDS TO NOTIFY COMPANY SECURITY OFFICERS VIA EMAIL OF THE DATES OF ANY UPCOMING EXERCISES.

3. IF A US-FLAG VESSEL IS HAILED FOR BOARDING BY THE IRANIAN NAVY, THE SHIP'S MASTER SHOULD “PROTEST BUT COMPLY”, IF CIRCUMSTANCES WARRANT.

4. US-FLAG VESSELS ARE ADVISED TO IMMEDIATELY REPORT INCIDENTS TO THE COMUSNAVCENT BATTLEWATCH CAPTAIN (MARITIME OPERATIONS CENTER) AT 011-973-1785-3879, AND MARLO BAHRAIN AT 011-973-3940-1395.

5. MARAD ADVISORIES ARE PUBLISHED ON THE MARAD WEB SITE AT WWW.MARAD.DOT.GOV AND THE MARITIME SAFETY INFORMATION WEB SITE: HTTP://MSI.NGA.MIL/NGAPORTAL/MSI.PORTAL UNDER "BROADCAST WARNINGS", SELECT MARAD ADVISORIES.

6. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING THIS ADVISORY, CONTACT CAPTAIN ROBERT FORD, MARITIME ADMINISTRATION, OFFICE OF SECURITY, CODE: MAR-420, ROOM W25-308, 1200 NEW JERSEY AVE, S.E., WASHINGTON, DC 20590, TELEPHONE 202-366-0223, FAX 202-366-3954, TLX II 710.822.9426 (MARAD DOT WSH), OR EMAIL: MARADSECURITY@DOT.GOV.

7. CANCEL ADVISORY 2011-07