Area of Heightened Risk (AoHR)

A flexible geographic zone defined in BMP5 (2018) where a current threat assessment indicates ships should apply additional self-protection measures. BMP5 replaced the older fixed High Risk Area boundary with the AoHR concept so that the area follows live intelligence from UKMTO, MSCHOA, and the regional fusion centers rather than static coordinates. Within an AoHR the master is expected to harden the vessel, report to UKMTO, and route through patrolled corridors. The approach lets the area expand or contract as Somali, Gulf of Aden, or wider Indian Ocean risk shifts.