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.
British Maritime security consultant killed in Yemen. (updated) July 20, 2011
Posted by Chris Mark in Uncategorized.Tags: Chris Mark, gulf of aden, gulf of aden security, InfoSec, Maritime Security, Piracy & Maritime Security
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SANAA, Yemen — Thanks to a blog reader for providing a link to information for this update. A bomb placed under the driver’s seat of a British man’s car blew up in southern Yemen on Wednesday, killing the man. The British man who has yet to be identified, worked for the Aden-based Arab Company for Inspection and Marine Consulting.
The person’s name was David Mocket a marine surveyor from Plympton. You can read about the incident at this link.
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.
UAE Tanker Hijacked in Indian Ocean July 18, 2011
Posted by Chris Mark in Piracy & Maritime Security.Tags: Chris Mark, gulf of aden, InfoSec, Maritime Security, Piracy & Maritime Security, risk management, Somalia
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Today 9 Somalian pirates hijacked the MV Jubba XX tanker in the Northern Indian Ocean. The fully laden tanker was enroute from UEA to Berbera, Somalia when attacked. The pirates have captured the ship as well as her 16 crewmen. As the IMB stated: “In the last six months, Somali pirates attacked more vessels than ever before and they’re taking higher risks,” said IMB Director Pottengal Mukundan. “This June, for the first time, pirates fired on ships in rough seas in the Indian Ocean during the monsoon season. In the past, they would have stayed away in such difficult conditions. Masters should remain vigilant,’’
Pirates are becoming more violent and taking greater risks in their pursuit of targets.
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