The nato shipping center in northwood, UK continues to support nato naval forces deployed in the eastern…

Original warning text

1. THE NATO SHIPPING CENTER IN NORTHWOOD, UK CONTINUES TO SUPPORT NATO
   NAVAL FORCES DEPLOYED IN THE EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN. THESE FORCES
   HAVE ESTABLISHED A DETERRENT NAVAL PRESENCE AND ARE CONDUCTING
   SURVEILLANCE AND MONITORING OPERATIONS WHICH HAS BEEN EXTENDED
   UNTIL 01 JAN 03. IT IS INTENDED THAT THE SHIPPING CENTER PROVIDE
   SHIPPING INFORMATION TO THE WARSHIPS WHILE ALSO ACTING AS A POINT
   OF CONTACT FOR THE MERCHANT MARINE.
2. THE STRATEGIC SIGNIFICANCE OF THE SUEZ CANAL DURING A PERIOD OF
   TENSION IN THE MIDDLE EAST, TOGETHER WITH THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST
   TERRORISTS ARE THE PRIME REASONS FOR THE NAVAL DEPLOYMENT. THE
   SURVEILLANCE OPERATION AND ACTIVATION OF THE CENTER HAVE BEEN
   DISCUSSED WITH LLOYDS OF LONDON WHO HAVE INDICATED THAT A DETERRENT
   NAVAL PRESENCE WOULD HAVE A BENEFICIAL STABILIZING INFLUENCE ON
   INSURANCE PREMIUMS IN THE REGION.
3. IN ORDER FOR THE SHIPPING CENTER TO BE EFFECTIVE THE COOPERATION OF
   THE MERCHANT MARINE OF NATO AND PARTNER COUNTRIES IS REQUIRED.
   SPECIFICALLY, DETAILS ARE REQUESTED OF SHIPS INTENDING TO TRANSIT
   THE SUEZ CANAL OR WHICH HAVE COMPLETED THE NORTH BOUND TRANSIT,
   BETWEEN LONGITUDE 28 EAST AND PORT SAID, EG (LONGITUDE 28 EAST
   PASSES THROUGH THE ISLE OF RHODES, GREECE).
4. IN ORDER TO GIVE ADEQUATE TIME FOR THE DATA TO BE COMPILED AND SENT
   TO THE NATO WARSHIPS, THE INFORMATION IS REQUIRED 24 HOURS IN
   ADVANCE. PROVISION OF THIS INFORMATION WILL ASSIST IN THE
   COMPILATION OF AN ACCURATE SHIPPING PLOT FOR THE SURVEILLANCE AND
   MONITORING OF SHIPPING BY NATO NAVAL FORCES IN THE REGION. IT WILL
   ALSO REDUCE VHF TRAFFIC BETWEEN MERCHANT AND NAVAL VESSELS.
5. THE PREFERRED METHOD FOR MERCHANT VESSELS TO REPORT TO THE SHIPPING
   CENTER IS BY E-MAIL. ALTERNATE MEANS ARE BY FAX OR TELEPHONE.
   E-MAIL: [email protected]
   WEBSITE: HTTP:WWW.EASTLANT.NATO.INT/NATOSC/INDEX.HTM