Vice Admiral Gortney says vessels need self-protection to combat piracy

The Sirius Star at anchor off the coast of Harardhere, Somalia, as seen by a U.S. Navy aircraft flying overhead. The ship was attacked Nov. 15 more than 450 miles off the East coast of Africa, and was forced to proceed to an anchorage in Somali territorial waters (U.S. Navy photo by Aviation Warfare Systems Operator 2nd Class William S. Stevens.)U.S. Vice Adm. Bill Gortney, Commander, Combined Maritime Forces, said ships must take security measures to help combat piracy. Approximately 10 days after Gortney gave his recommendation, a ship owned by Oceania Cruises was attacked. A news release on the Oceania website reported the Nov. 30th attack:
“M/S NAUTICA was transiting through the Gulf of Aden within the prescribed Maritime Safety Protection Area which is patrolled by international anti-piracy task forces. As the vessel sailed past several groups of non-hostile fishing vessels, two small skiffs were sighted by the Officer on Duty and deemed potentially hostile. The skiffs, approaching from a range of approximately 1000 meters [1,094 yards], attempted to intercept the vessel’s course. Captain Jurica Brajcic and his officers immediately began evasive maneuvers and took all prescribed precautions. NAUTICA was immediately brought to flank speed and was able to out run the two skiffs. One of the skiffs did manage to close the range to approximately 300 yards and fired eight rifle shots in the direction of the vessel before trailing off. No one aboard NAUTICA was harmed and no damage was sustained.”

Gortney issued a statement prior to the attack on the Oceania, on Nov. 19 after the Sirius Star was hijacked. Press TV (Iran) reported Nov. 30, “The deadline has run out for the payment of a 25 million dollar ransom to Somali pirates holding the Saudi super-tanker Sirius Star. “

Gortney said, “Our presence in the region is helping deter and disrupt criminal attacks off the Somali coast, but the situation with the Sirius Star clearly indicates the pirates’ ability to adapt their tactics and methods of attack…Piracy is an international crime that threatens global commerce. Shipping companies have to understand that naval forces can not be everywhere. Self protection measures are the best way to protect their vessels, their crews, and their cargo.”

Out of 15 recent pirate attacks in the Gulf of Aden, at least 10 involved ships operating outside the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) recommended traffic corridor or failing to employ recommended self protection measures, making them more vulnerable to a successful attack.  “Most notably, none of the vessels had embarked security teams. Embarked security teams would have prevented these successful attacks,” said Gortney. “Companies don’t think twice about using security guards to protect their valuable facilities ashore. Protecting valuable ships and their crews at sea is no different.”

Gortney’s advice is well-placed. Press TV said, “Though the international community is urging a tougher stance toward piracy in the region, experts argue the piracy problem will never be resolved until there is an end to the relentless fighting in Somalia, devoid of a central government for the past 18 years and ravaged by civil war.”

The Associated Press reported most of southern Somalia is controlled by Islamic insurgents. Most Western media refer to terrorists as insurgents. The International Chamber of Commerce maintains a Piracy Reporting Center through the International Maritime Bureau. Weekly piracy reports and bulletins about piracy prone areas are available on the IMB website.

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