UK To Allow Armed Guards On Ships July 25, 2011
Posted by Chris Mark in Laws and Leglslation, Piracy & Maritime Security.Tags: gulf of aden, InfoSec
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According to the Daily Echo, pirate attacks have become so problematic that ships from the UK will soon be able to legally employ armed guards. According to shipping minister the Government is going to introduce new legislation which will change the current law and allow ships flagged in the UK to legally employ armed guards. The Minister was quoted:
“Legislation will have to be changed to protect our seafarers around the world, at present it is illegal to use armed guards on British ships, but we are where we are and I cannot ignore the situation.’’
Taiwanese Captain Killed by US Ordnance during AP Operations July 24, 2011
Posted by Chris Mark in Piracy & Maritime Security, weapons and tactics.Tags: Chris Mark, gulf of aden, InfoSec, Rudyard Kipling, Somalia
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According to the Taipei times a Taiwanese shipping captain was killed when when the US Navy disabled the JCT 68 with munitions during anti-piracy operations. The ship had been hijacked and used as a pirate “mothership” since March 30, 2010. This post will no go into great detail on this particular event rather let this be yet another example of why it is too late to act AFTER the pirates have taken control of the ship. Rudyard Kipling wrote about the British combat in Afghanistan. His poem the Young British Soldier was intended to provide both insight into the situation as well as direction for young soldiers. One of the last stanzas says:
“When you’re wounded and left on Afghanistan’s plains,
And the women come out to cut up what remains,
Jest roll to your rifle and blow out your brains
An’ go to your Gawd like a soldier.
Go, go, go like a soldier,
Go, go, go like a soldier,
Go, go, go like a soldier,
So-oldier of the Queen”
The point of this post is that in some instances being captured by certain people is so horrific that it is likely better to “…go to your Gawd like a soldier” than be captured. I was in Somalia in 1994 and have seen first hand some of the atrocities that people who have been born and lived in a persistent state of combat can inflict upon their fellow man. While this post is not intended to articulate these atrocities I would suggest that whether on the plains of Afghanistan or on a ship being hijacked by Somali pirates, one is better served to take any action possible to keep being placed in their hands.
So what is the answer to the increasingly aggressive and violent pirates? From a tactical perspective it is a comprehensive practice of defense in depth with the final piece being professionally trained and experienced armed guards on ships. Certainly from a strategic level we all want their to be stability in Somalia to deal with the issue but as of right now it is imperative that shipping companies take steps to ensure their crews do not fall into the hands of Somali pirates.
6 Sailors Trapped on MV Iceberg; Indian Government Refuses Ransom Demand July 24, 2011
Posted by Chris Mark in Piracy & Maritime Security.Tags: Chris Mark, gulf of aden, InfoSec, Maritime Security, security, Somalia
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Six Indian sailors are trapped aboard the MV Iceberg after the Indian government has refused to pay ransom to the Somali pirates. Third Officer Jaswinder, who has called his family 8 times in an attempt to get Ransom, described how he and 2 other sailers were tortured by the pirates and one crew member had been killed. The MV Iceberg was hijacked in March, 2010 by a reported 50 pirates. Nearly 500 days later, she and her crew are still held captive. Prior to the ransom demand being rejected by the Indian Government, the demand was rejected by the ship’s owners. The crew is in desperate need of help. This should be a wake up call for those companies willing to roll the proverbial dice with their security. While stories of ransoms being paid and sailors returning home warm the heart, there are still dozens of ships and hundreds of sailors enduring terrible conditions, and brutal treatment at the hands of pirates. Once a ship is captured the pirates have the negotiating power. Professionally trained, and experienced armed guards are the best defense against piracy.
Dulce Bellum Inexpertis July 21, 2011
Posted by Chris Mark in Piracy & Maritime Security, weapons and tactics.Tags: Chris Mark, InfoSec, Maritime Security, Piracy & Maritime Security, risk management, Somalia
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Loosely translated as war is sweet to those who have never experienced it the latin phrase is particularly relevant today. On LinkedIn and other sites, people are crying out for “shooting pirates on site!”. While this sounds emotionally compelling at times, it should be carefully considered. Many armed guards in the industry today have combat experience. While these men (they are all men) are capable of action to prevent a ship hijacking each one will tell you that their preference is to see the ship out maneuver or out run the pirates rather than shoot a single shot.
It is always easy to view gunfights as depicted in movies. The reality is a lot less entertaining and certainly more frightening than depicted. It is always a bit dismaying to hear people talk of ‘killing pirates on sight’ and ‘bombing them into submission’. While pirates are a plague that we need to protect against, we need to be cognizant of the consequences.
Currently there are estimated to be 29 ships and over 600 people being held by pirates in and around Somalia. What would or could happen to the hostages if pirates were “shot on sight”? Pirates in Somalia are currently demanding reparations from South Korea for an attack that killed several Pirates? In addition, there rumor that Pirates are currently searching for some European ships that inadvertently killed some fishermen in the belief that they were pirates. What will happen to the crews of the ships?
I am not advocating for a catch and release program or treating pirates with kid gloves. The reality of defense is often more complex than it may appear. While ‘shooting on sight’ may sound appealing, it is not quite as simple as it sounds.
Danish Hostages Please for Release From Somali Pirates July 20, 2011
Posted by Chris Mark in Piracy & Maritime Security.Tags: Chris Mark, gulf of aden, InfoSec, Maritime Security, Piracy & Maritime Security, Somalia
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This is disturbing yet important to watch. The key is to prevent crews from being taken by pirates. This crew is of the MV Leopard and has been held since January 2011.
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