ANTI-PIRACY SERVICES

The Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean are not the only “pirate infested waters” in the world. There are many other areas that are included in the United Nations Modern Maritime Piracy Update. In the Far East they include the Malacca Straits, the South China Sea, and Malaysia. In South America, Venezuela is the hotspot; while in West Africa the coast of Nigeria, in recent months, has experienced an increase in piracy related to the oil and gas industry. However, the world focus at present is the Gulf of Aden, through which 7% of the world’s oil consumption transits. The pirates are choking one of the world’s major trade routes.

In the last eighteen months over $200 million dollars has been paid to Somali pirates operating in the Indian Ocean. The Sirius Star with a cargo of 2 million barrels of oil was released in January 2009 after the payment of a reputed $4 million ransom. The Maran Centaurus was released on the 18th January 2010 on payment of what was described as the biggest ever ransom of US$5.5Millon. The ransom was dropped onto the ship from a helicopter.

Originally the advice to ships’ captains was that if they steered clear of the East African Coast by at least 300 Nautical Miles (NM) they would more than likely be safe. The advice then altered to 450 NM and now it is in excess of 1000 NM. This is due to a change of tactics by the pirates who are now using captured ships as “mother ships”, from which they launch their pirate skiffs. These ships, such as the Yenagoa Ocean, a super tug, pictured above, allow the pirates to operate well away from the Somali Coastline.

It is not only commercial vessels that are at risk. A private sailing yacht the Lynn Rival, with Paul and Rachel Chandler from Tunbridge Wells in UK on board was taken off the Seychelles by pirates on 29th October 2009. They are now held in the Somali coastal town of Haradhere, where many of the pirate gangs operate from and where they take their captured vessels and crew. Their ransom has come down from £4million to £100,000. The British Government refuses to negotiate with pirates or kidnappers. They are pictured after 100 days in captivity.

Securiforce International America can assist. Whether you are a commercial entity or a private citizen we can provide you with advice on:

• Passage Planning including the International Recommended Transit Corridor.
• Kidnap and Ransom Insurance.
• Negotiation.
• Contacts with EU and other Naval Forces in the Region particularly the UK Maritime Trade Organisation (UKMTO) and Maritime Liaison Office (MARLO).
• On board anti-piracy measures.
• Passive and active resistance.
• Armed Intervention.