<p>My S is a few days from heading toward the middle east on his first tour and I don't mind saying I am a little concerned about the pirate situation that has escalated. I had seen on the news tonight where many shipping companies are contacting protection services to help protect their ships, crews, and cargo. I know this problem has always been out their, but seems to be cranking up. Any thoughts or good info????</p>
<p>This is a timely subject. What type of ship will your mid be sailing on, Midwest? Our mid was off the Horn of Africa and in the Gulf of Aden this past summer on a MSC refueler which has a Navy security detachment on board so we were not as concerned. If your mid will be in the Persian Gulf there are certainly plenty of man-of-wars cruising around to act as a nice deterrent. Additionally, as far as my limited knowledge can attest no U.S. flagged ships have been targets. Please understand I have no more knowledge on this subject than can be found online, so it would be great to hear from someone with actual first hand knowledge. I was just mentioning to my mid that the Academy should incorporate anti-piracy classes into the curriculum. I am still amazed that bazillion dollar merchant ships travel the seas without benefit of means to adequately repel pirates. Whether that be the .50 cals that grace MSC ships or a giant tazer ala' Capt. Kirk's Enterprise you'd think it would be standard equipment ship owners would want to protect their investment and something ship insurers would now demand for coverage in the Gulf of Aden or off the coast of Africa. Anybody have any real information on this subject?</p>
<p>Vessel security regulations have been in place for a few years now </p>
<p>IAW IMO-SOLAS Regulation XI-2/6
all ships are to be provided with a ship security alert system. When activated the ship security alert system shall initiate and transmit a ship-shore security alert to a competent authority designated by the Administration, identifying the ship, its location and indicating that the security of the ship is under threat or it has been compromised.</p>
<p>To ensure intruders are not alerted, the system will not raise any alarm onboard the ship. The ship security alert system shall be capable of being activated from the navigation bridge and in at least one other (hidden) location. </p>
<p>There are a number of companys that monitor ship security alert systems (SSAS). In the event of an alarm they contact cognizant flag state authorities and the vessels company security officer (CSO). So, after the panic button is pushed, hopefully the cavalry will be on the way..</p>
<p>The vessel Master would also very likely raise the MARSEC level from 1 to 2 when in the near vicinity of pirate waters which would require a heightened watch vigilance and a lockdown as detailed in the VSP (Vessel Security Plan).</p>
<p>Yup. Most timely indeed. And thx, DD/StCrisp.
Son now in Sea Term, and left the east coast... Should get to the exact PirateLand ' as seen on TV ' soon. Sheesh.</p>
<p>I am certain they are doing everything that can be done.
They aren't on MSC, or oiler, or delivering weapons.
Right now, I'm hoping it's a shipful of those Singing Bass Fish things, or Pocket Fisherman -- heck, even WE don't want those ;) </p>
<p>As a parent, yes, I'm concerned that he's going right through the affected area... but I trust the procedures. And, it's a BIG area.</p>
<p>Just a question i also asked just a year ago.</p>
<p>My DS's experience was just after exiting the Suez Canal heading to the Middle East.</p>
<p>Heard on this evening's news that shipping company's insurances have gone from $900.00 per year to $9,000.00 per year in those areas where pirates frequent. Suez area included. Crazy stuff. </p>
<p>DD1 - picking your brain.... have you seen any cost increases lately of that type? Even though there are current security procedures in place, do you foresee any outside firms taking over security issues on your schedules for your company? Not that I am looking to change professions & start up a new business. Just curious. And don't tell me that it killed the cat. Yes, I know this already. :D</p>
<p>Oliver reads:</p>
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<p>for all his piracy policy...heck he is even learning how to speak like a pirate...arghhhh matey!!</p>
<p>or read the raw stuff at Maritime</a> Safety Information if you want to fall asleep on watch...</p>
<p>
<p> [quote=Jamzmom] you foresee any outside firms taking over security issues
Im not quite sure what you're asking here.. If you mean would my company be hiring private security forces and putting them on board our ships, I dont think that will happen.. Again, we dont operate in an area that would warrant adding security personnel to our crew complement. </p>
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</p>
<p>Disclaimer - No felines were harmed in attempting to satisfy Jamzmoms curiosity :)</p>
<p>Please help me with my literacy on this....Why is it that maritime law prevents ships from arming themselves? Do you suppose this will change in light of the piracy? Praytell ~ is it generally true that pirates steer clear of US flagships?</p>
<p>Great Article forr. Thanks for sharing. It makes good points about how the airlines finally got their security squared away after a major attack. Let's hope that the Maritime industry will do it before worse things happen.</p>
<p>My S sailed to the persian gulf twice this summer and the second time there were near the gulf of Aden. In Oct he said they could hear the distress calls - I asked him about why they do not arm the ships and he stated that most ports forbid ships to carry arms for security reasons. I'm sure there are others on this forum who can shed more light on this issue.</p>
<p>I was once told (can't recall where I'd heard it) that it had to due with Maritime laws. Each country has different ones. For example: an armed container ship would be considered a "Man of War" in some places. </p>
<p>Those fire hoses & flare guns don't seem much protection out there (this said by someone who has never been blasted off the side of a ship with either. Freaking ouch. LOL). Thats why I was kinda curious about the thought of the shipping companies hiring security specialists to sail with them in dangerous areas. Could be a lucrative business for KP grads. :D I guess the country's set of maritime laws would play a huge factor in what they can and can't do. Interesting conversation in light of what is happening out there.</p>
<p>For those interested, "Maritime Reporter and Engineering News" had a very interesting article last month on the issue of providing security to merchant ships. In it they discussed options including providing trained security specialists on board as well as the difficulties involved in arming ships crews. Lot's of things that I suppose you could do- but all of them require money - not something that shipping companies are likely to invest until their costs of doing business (loss of cargo, interuppted service, increased insurance costs etc...) as they are now exceeds the cost of preventive measures. Security for airlines isn't really a similar situation at all because it is realtively easy to control access to the aircraft. Not so easy for a merchant ship that are essentially large targets plugging along at a relatively low speed thru routes with multiple points of interdiction manned by small multinational civilian crews. Historically, I believe that Piracy has only been eradicated by aggressively eliminating the sanctuaries that they operate from. </p>
<p>Link to the article is below.
Piracy</a> and Armed Response on Ships</p>
<p>NBC reported this morning that pirates have NOT mistreated hostages and of all of these incidents, no one has been hurt. In fact, the piece highlighted a hostage crew that was treated rather well. "Pirates are only interested in money, and not in harming people."</p>
<p>A "rumor" I heard = certain types of ships are simply too large (height) for pirates to overtake. Is this true? Further that they target wheat ships and oil tankers which are lower to the water? Is this true?</p>
<p>yes, I have heard this too, a lower freeboard vessel is "easier" to climb up and onto than a vessel with a high freeboard.</p>
<p>that Ukranian ro-ro had a pretty high freeboard no?</p>
<p>Interesting video about how the U.S. is training African troops to fight piracy</p>
<p>CBS</a> Video</p>
<p>Also article about some measures being taken:</p>
<p>Al</a> Jazeera English - Africa - Security firms to combat pirates</p>
<p>There is some justice in the world- natural or otherwise. From today's Maritime Reporter:</p>
<p>Pirate Washes Ashore with $153,000
According to a Jan. 11 report from Associated Press, the body of a Somali pirate who drowned just after receiving a huge ransom washed onshore with $153,000 in cash as the spokesman for another group of pirates promised to soon free a Ukrainian arms ship. Five pirates drowned Jan. 9 when their small boat capsized after they received a reported $3m ransom for releasing a Saudi oil tanker.</p>
<p>(Source: Associated Press)</p>
<p>GOOD NEWS....</p>
<p>ABC News' Kirit Radia reports: A U.S. Navy ship working as part of a multinational team called Combined Task Force 151, apprehended a group of seven Somali pirates today, the first time the task force has picked up Somali pirates.
The apprehension appears to be in response to what U.S. officials tell ABC News was an order from the Pentagon issued last Thursday to pursue pirates off the Somali coast.
"At approximately 3:00 p.m. this afternoon, the Marshall Islands-flagged Motor Vessel Polaris sent a distress call to all ships in the area reporting that a small skiff containing seven suspected pirates had attempted a forcible boarding of their vessel using a ladder. Polaris crewmembers removed the ladder before pirates could come aboard," the Navy's 5th fleet said in a statement.
The U.S. Navy ship USS Vella Gulf responded to the distress call and intercepted the pirate skiff. After positively identifying the suspected pirates, they were brought on board the Vella Gulf for processing and will be transferred to the USNS Lewis and Clark where they will be temporarily detained.
U.S. officials have previously told ABC News that Kenya has agreed to take in captured Somali pirates until they can be tried. There is no official word yet if the alleged pirates captured today will be sent there, but the agreement with Kenya is designed for just such cases.
According to U.S. officials who spoke to ABC News on the condition of anonymity, last Thursday the Joint Chiefs of Staff last week issued a Counter Piracy Execute Order that charged the military with pursuing and apprehending pirates who threaten commercial ships in the Horn of Africa region off the coast of Somalia.
Officials say the order creates an operating zone to go after pirates about 500 nautical miles out to sea and spans from the Gulf of Aden near Yemen down to the borders with Kenya and Tanzania.
In other words, it is now open season for the U.S. Navy to go after Somali pirates that have haunted one of the world's vital shipping lanes.</p>