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.
Somalia…..the perfect storm! July 20, 2011
Posted by Chris Mark in Uncategorized.Tags: gulf of aden, gulf of aden security, InfoSec, maritime piracy, Maritime Security, Somalia
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For the number one failed state in the world, things just got a whole lot worse. According to Mark Bowden, the U.N.’s top official in charge of humanitarian aid to Somalia, “the U.N. needs $300 million in humanitarian aid in Somalia over the next two months.”
The last time conditions were this bad was in 1992, when hundreds of thousands of Somalis starved to death. That famine prompted intervention by an international peacekeeping force, but it eventually pulled out after two American Black Hawk helicopters were shot down in 1993.
This problem, along with all the other problems the entire region is facing, will provide an abundant supply of Somali men who will resort to piracy as a means to an end. The weak, U.N.-backed Somali government regularly comes last in the world in the annual corruption rating by watchdog Transparency International. With ransoms for pirated vessels reaching record levels, attacks occurring during monsoon season, and pirate groups operating further out at sea and with greater sophistication; the commercial shipping industry must take pro active steps to protect its interests when operating in the region.
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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