MODERN PIRACY
Pirate Attacks Are On The Rise
Modern-day pirates no longer fly jolly rogers or force their victims to walk the plank, but they are no less dangerous.
'FEARLESS' PIRATES
High on drugs!
GULF of GUINEA PIRACY
Bimco Calls for Joint Naval Response File Image BY MAREX 2019-01-23 17:17:09
According to the International Maritime Bureau's piracy report for 2018, the Gulf of Guinea accounted for the overwhelming majority of serious acts of piracy worldwide. Out of all attacks reported around the globe, this region accounted for all six hijackings, 13 of 18 vessels fired upon, 130 out of 141 hostages held, and 78 of 83 seafarers kidnapped for ransom. The frequency of pirate attacks in the area has increased twofold since 2017.
Jakob P. Larsen, Bimco's head of maritime security, believes that it would "not be a complicated operation" to bring the situation under control, at least in military and law enforcement terms . However, bringing the necessary resources to bear off Nigeria could be a challenge.
Jakob P. Larsen, Bimco's head of maritime security, believes that it would "not be a complicated operation" to bring the situation under control, at least in military and law enforcement terms . However, bringing the necessary resources to bear off Nigeria could be a challenge.
Larsen believes that what is needed is to combine capacity building for local forces with more air and waterborne assets in order to achieve a more robust law enforcement presence. This undertaking has precedent: allied naval patrols and maritime security contractors brought a near-complete end to piracy in the Gulf of Aden and western Indian Ocean in 2012, and no successful attacks were reported for years afterwards.
Some critics believe that the Gulf of Guinea is fundamentally different from Somalia, with too many small boats and OSVs complicating the picture. "I don’t think it is very difficult, nor too risky, and I believe that the challenges are sometimes exaggerated,” Larsen said. “It has been done before in other parts of the world with success."
To further these goals, Bimco is calling on international naval forces to deploy to West Africa in support of anti-piracy efforts. In particular, Larsen has asked the EU, China and the United States to take the lead. Larsen points to the need to protect seafarers from kidnapping - the primary aim of Nigerian pirates, who can earn large sums from ransom payments - and also the need to protect shipping lanes for strategic commodities. West Africa is an export hub for oil and LNG.
"It all comes down to will," Larsen said. "If local politicians and the international community are willing to support this, then it can be done relatively easily."
Some critics believe that the Gulf of Guinea is fundamentally different from Somalia, with too many small boats and OSVs complicating the picture. "I don’t think it is very difficult, nor too risky, and I believe that the challenges are sometimes exaggerated,” Larsen said. “It has been done before in other parts of the world with success."
To further these goals, Bimco is calling on international naval forces to deploy to West Africa in support of anti-piracy efforts. In particular, Larsen has asked the EU, China and the United States to take the lead. Larsen points to the need to protect seafarers from kidnapping - the primary aim of Nigerian pirates, who can earn large sums from ransom payments - and also the need to protect shipping lanes for strategic commodities. West Africa is an export hub for oil and LNG.
"It all comes down to will," Larsen said. "If local politicians and the international community are willing to support this, then it can be done relatively easily."
PHILIPPINES ABDUCTIONS
by 20 armed pirates!
BY MAREX 2018-12-10 18:02:09
The ReCAAP ISC has reported that three men were abducted from a vessel by 20 armed men believed to be from the Abu Sayyaf in the Philippines on December 5.
The name and type of the vessel the men were abducted from is uncertain, but local media outlets indicate that the men were taken from a fishing vessel. The crew, one Malaysian and two Indonesians, have been taken to Pata in the Sulu Province. One has since been released, according to some media reports.
The Star reports that the same group of armed men were involved in the shooting of a tugboat crew member during a botched kidnap attempt on the same day.
The fishing boat abductions are the second actual abductions reported in the region this year. The first occurred on board the fishing trawler Sri Dewi 1 on September 11. Two crewmen were abducted off Sabah; one was rescued on December 5.
There were three incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships reported in Asia in November 2018, reports ReCAAP ISC. One occurred in the South China Sea and two occurred at anchorages in Batangas, Philippines. Six incidents occurred in October, and 73 incidents occurred between January and November this year. This is a 15 percent decrease on the same period in 2017.
As the threat of abduction of crew in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and waters off eastern Sabah remains, ReCAAP ISC urges masters and crew to exercise extra vigilance while transiting the region.
The ReCAAP ISC has reported that three men were abducted from a vessel by 20 armed men believed to be from the Abu Sayyaf in the Philippines on December 5.
The name and type of the vessel the men were abducted from is uncertain, but local media outlets indicate that the men were taken from a fishing vessel. The crew, one Malaysian and two Indonesians, have been taken to Pata in the Sulu Province. One has since been released, according to some media reports.
The Star reports that the same group of armed men were involved in the shooting of a tugboat crew member during a botched kidnap attempt on the same day.
The fishing boat abductions are the second actual abductions reported in the region this year. The first occurred on board the fishing trawler Sri Dewi 1 on September 11. Two crewmen were abducted off Sabah; one was rescued on December 5.
There were three incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships reported in Asia in November 2018, reports ReCAAP ISC. One occurred in the South China Sea and two occurred at anchorages in Batangas, Philippines. Six incidents occurred in October, and 73 incidents occurred between January and November this year. This is a 15 percent decrease on the same period in 2017.
As the threat of abduction of crew in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and waters off eastern Sabah remains, ReCAAP ISC urges masters and crew to exercise extra vigilance while transiting the region.
SOMALIAN PIRATES
#Pirates#ModernPirates#Somalia#Somalian#Security#HighSeas#Navy#Guns#Ransom#RocketLaunchers#AK45#Armed#Khat#High#Boat#Ship#HiJacked#Kidnapped#Fear
Email Rex Woodmore: [email protected]
SOPHISTICATED OPERATIONS
Their skills have improved beyond that of a common fisherman and their operations have become quite sophisticated.
MODE OF OPERATION
The pirate's usual mode of operation is for the crews aboard a ‘mother ship’ to be provided with information from their contacts at ports in the Gulf of Aden, who notify them of the movements of prospective target vessels. Operating on this information the skipper of the ‘mother ship’ sends out smaller open boats with high powered outboard motors.
They approach their quarry at a fast pace to catch those aboard off guard and use grappling hooks (sometimes rocket-propelled) and climb up ropes and ladders to get aboard. Sometimes, to make it easier for them to board the vessel, the pirates will fire at the ships to intimidate them into stopping.
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US Navy counter piracy operations VBSS duty
ARMED SECURITY SERVICES
The presence of the warships has made a difference, but the problem is a huge hurdle and extra expense for shipping companies, who now face higher insurance premiums, ransom payments and extra fuel for longer routes taken to avoid the pirates. Some shipping companies see no other option than to employ armed guards.
The Saga Continues.
The advice of the IMB (International Maritime Bureau) to shipping companies is fairly logical and basic to say the least. They suggest having lookouts and travelling at a fast speed to outrun the pirates. These precautions are a long way from serious protection in the midst of a very wide ocean. Especially at night when they move extremely quickly and are aboard before the crew has realised what is going on.
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Email Rex Woodmore: [email protected] or [email protected]