The US Maritime Administration (MARAD) issued an advisory to operators of US-flag and effective US-controlled vessels warning of increased activity by pirates in waters off the east coast of Somalia. Pirates have recently launched armed attacks on merchant ships up to 190 nautical miles off Somalia. Mariners in the vicinity of Somalia are advised to maintain as much distance as reasonably possible off the coast and to be vigilant for approaches by pirate vessels. [Note: Rumors indicate that an all-points-bulletin has been issued a Johnny Depp, who has been missing from the Caribbean for weeks.] Advisory 07-02 (5/21/07). [demime 1.01d removed an attachment of type application/pkcs7-signature which had a name of smime.p7s]