Light Relief - South Park Style

All the talk of the worsening piracy situation can get tiresome.

So its over to South Park to break up the news with a little sympathy and a lot of humour.

UKHO Releases Anti-Piracy Chart

(Picture: UKHO)

The United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) has released a 'anti-piracy' chart free of charge.

This chart covers the Somali coast, Arabian sea and Gulf of Aden.

It also includes important advice on actions in the event of pirates attacking.

The intention is that making this chart freely available will encourage all vessels transiting this area to carry a copy.

A PDF version of chart Q6633 is available to download here.

Indiscriminate Piracy a Fact of Life

(Photo: Reuters)

Any vessel transiting the Somali coast or further offshore risks attack by pirates and not just those ship or crews of the greatest value.

After 10 days of captivity and beatings the Indian crew of the dhow 'Vishvakalyan' were surly relieved to see the Portuguese naval vessel NRP Corte-Real, seen behind the crew of the dhow in the picture above.

Their release was not to be the end of their ordeal, once the pirates departed it became apparent that they had left them with absolutely no supplies.

Fortunately it was only a day until help came in the form of the NATO flagship of operation 'Protector' NRP Corte-Real.

This vessel was able to offer much needed aid to the crew.

The story is not without some controversy though, it has been noted that the dhows cargo of charcoal is understood to have originated from the port of Brava, south of Mogadishu.

Charcoal is a banned export from Somalia.

Philips Receives Burke Award

(Photo: U.S. Navy/Andrew Geraci Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class)

Captain Richard Phillips, the Master Mariner who after the capture of his ship surrendered himself as hostage to ensure the safety of his crew, has received an award from the US Navy League.

The 'Burke' award is awarded annually in recognition of outstanding leadership.

The award according to the Navy League takes its title from "Navy Admiral Arleigh Burke an American hero whose achievements, ethical standards, and unselfish dedication personify all that is noble in the American character."

J. Michael McGrath, national president of the Navy League said "The Arleigh Burke Leadership Award is our most prestigious award, [We are proud] to recognize such a hero [as Captain Phillips]".

EU Continues Commitment to Fighting Piracy

(Photo: EU NAVFOR)

The European Union has yesterday announced that it is to continue it's commitment to fighting piracy off the Somali coast.

Operation 'Atalanta', currently consisting of 13 warships and 3 surveillance aircraft, was due to cease in December this year.

It will now continue it's work until the 13th December 2010.

Combined Maritime Forces Advice Continued

(Picture: NASA/Robert Simmon)

Last weeks update to CMF piracy avoidance advice made note of taking advantage of the current high wind/wave conditions expected during the Southwest monsoon season.

These conditions are least favorable for the fast but small skiffs, preventing boarding and reducing their ability, even with the now common use of 'mother ships', to stay offshore long enough to find and attack a transiting vessel.

The Southwest monsoon lasts from May through to early September and only time will show just what sort of effect it will have on the umber acts of piracy taking place this year.

The increased frequency of hard won observations have come about because of the increased number of navy vessels operating in this piracy hotspot.

Combined Maritime Forces Update Advice to Mariners

The Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) group has offered an update to earlier advice regarding the current piracy situation and lessons learn from recent incidents.

They are also clear in drawing attention to the fact that despite the freely available piracy best practice guide and wealth of information available for ship operators/managers the basic precautions for preventing successful pirate attacks are not being followed.

Low speed/low freeboard vessels continue to prove easy pickings for the pirates, with good sea state/visibility aiding them further.

They also highlight the recent attacks taking place at night, this could be the early signs of the adoption of new tactics.

This might indicate an awareness that a stealthy approach and boarding would deny a member of the coalition of navies both the opportunity and time to intervene. While safe in the knowledge that once onboard and in control of a vessel the International navies present are reticent to intervene in case the crews are used as hostages.

South Korea Hosts International Piracy Meeting

(Photo: European Press Association)

A large gathering of security experts, thought to number around 100 and representing 34 countries attended the 'high level' piracy meeting held over the 9th and 10th June in Seoul, South Korea.

Topics discussed included solutions to the piracy problem as well as the broader issues of the situation in Somalia which is the cause of so many of these maritime issues.

South Korea is committed to this issue having seen a number of it's vessels attacked over the past year and the bulk carrier 'Bright Ruby' hijacked in September 2008.

Swedish Navy Hands Over Pirates

(Photo: Zumapress)

The 7 suspected pirates previously captured by the Swedish naval vessel 'Malmo' were handed over to Kenyan authorities on Monday the 8th June.

They were transfered to the Kenyan authorities for prosecution, as previously agreed between the republic and the European Union.

This is thought to bring the total number of suspected pirates to be tried in Kenya to 81.

BBC Radio 4 Piracy Documentary

(Picture: BBC)

The BBC continue their excellent reporting of the security situation in the Gulf of Aden with a documentary broadcast of an investigation into the hijacking and subsequent release of the general cargo ship 'CEC Future'.

Including interviews with the vessels owner, captain and the pirates negotiator it makes interesting listening.

It is available to UK residents who wish to listen again on the BBC iPlayer until the 11th June, or for all those outside the UK as a podcast. Alternately a text/transcript version is available on the BBC News website.

Somali Cruises

Despite the desperate situation along the coast of Somalia someone can still find a humorous take on the situation.

A spoof cruise company, Somali Cruises, offers an alternative to the rather more sedate world cruises. While the testimonials are either amusingly self effacing or highlight a rather more disturbing parody of gun-toting stereotypes.

New Commander for EU NAVFOR - ATALANTA

(Photo: The Council of the European Union)


(Photo: The Council of the European Union)

Anti-piracy operation EU NAVFOR - 'ATALANTA' leadership changes hands.

The EU operation sees Rear Admiral Philip Jones (bottom) hand over command to Rear Admiral Peter Hudson(top).

EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, Javier Solana welcomed him saying "I would like to congratulate Rear Admiral Peter Hudson on taking office today as the new EU Operation Commander of Operation EU NAVFOR - ATALANTA, the EU's anti-piracy mission off the coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden. He may be assured of my full support and that of the European Union as a whole. I look forward to working with him.

I also would like to extend my warmest thanks to Rear Admiral Philip Jones for the excellent work he has performed during his term as the first Operation Commander. His leadership and his handling of some highly complex issues have led to ground-breaking advances in maritime counter-piracy and the successful start of the EU's first naval operation."

HMS Cumberland to Join the Action Again

(Photo: U.S. Navy/Shawn Eklund Photographer's Mate 2nd Class)

The United Kingdom Royal Navy are set to send the frigate HMS Cumberland to join the anti-piracy operations of the Gulf of Aden.

This is the vessels second tour fighting piracy in the region.

The Type 22 frigate departed Plymouth on the 25th of May, where she had undergone maintenance work on a number of key systems, since return to the port in December 2008.

Captain David Dutton OBE, Commanding Officer of HMS Cumberland said:

"Cumberland is well prepared for this deployment. We are going to an area recognised internationally as one of the most unstable parts of the world... However, the UK is committed to maintaining a national and coalition presence in the region and all of us in Cumberland are looking forward to and ready to face the challenges ahead."

HMS Portland Successfully Intercepts and Disarms 2 Pirate Skiffs

(Photo: U.S. Navy/John K. Hamilton Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class)

The call went out from the Spanish patrol aircraft making a reconnaissance flight over the Gulf of Aden.

It had spot 2 suspicious skiffs, flying over them revealed that rather than being rigged for fishing they were prepared for armed boarding, the tell-tale drums of fuel for endurance and RPGs gave away their intent.

The UK Navy Frigate HMS Portland was on hand to intercept the pirates and did so by RHIB.

With the cover of a heavily arm Lynx helicopter, also dispatched from HMS Portland, a boarding team of Royal Navy and Royal Marine personnel boarded the skiffs (Seen above at an earlier boarding).

They discovered 10 pirates and all the trappings of a team engaging in or preparing to attack nearby shipping transiting the area.

However without evidence these 10 men were actively participating in an act of piracy they were unable to arrest them and after confiscating their weapons and destroying one of the skiffs the boarding team release the pirates.

This once again raises questions over what real effect military intervention can have over the lawlessness and piracy around the Indian Ocean.

Despite the successful intervention by the HMS Portland, part of CTF 151, the 10 pirate go away from this encounter with the message that should there be any doubt of their intent, despite the evidence, they will sail free.

The Best Defense is...

(Photo: U.S. Navy/Bryan Reckard Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class)

self defense apparently. Despite the large numbers of military vessels in so many pirate hot spots the best defense continues to be self defense.

This will come as no surprise to experienced mariners the world over who appreciate that their decisions make all the difference in an emergency situation, whether their defense of their vessel is ultimately successful or buys enough time for military intervention.

Just as the solution to piracy does not lay with military action rarely does it provide a solution to the attacks that take place.

These solutions are both found ashore, whether with the high standards of training of mariners, no matter their nationality, or the stability which will remove the motivation sending so many young men to sea to rob and kidnap.

That is not to belittle the part the military play, alone the numbers that were released by the CTF 151 show what a positive impact they are having is making the seas safer and ensuring safe passage is still possible. A difficult feat when you consider the vast areas of operation.

2nd Attack for Stolt Strength

(Photo: Dinie en Jan)

The tanker 'Stolt Strength' was attacked by pirates in the Red Sea over the weekend.

During the incident the vessel suffered both automatic fire and rocket propelled grenade attack, sustaining damage to the bridge, but ultimately evading the pirates.

This same vessel was only recently released (21th April 2009) from captivity, having fallen foul of pirates on the 10th November 2008.

It is believed that a $2.5 million ransom had previously been paid to secure it's release.

Piracy in the Gulf of Aden Continues to Rise

(Photo: U.S. Navy/D. Keith Simmons Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class)

Figures released by the Combined Task Force 151 indicate the problem of piracy continues to rise at an alarming rate.

Attacks are already nearing the number recorded in 2008, as of the 28th May totaling 115.

The task force commander Turkish Navy Rear Admiral Caner Bener noted "A major contributor to our success against piracy is our ability to coordinate our actions and operations with other professional navies, with more than one million square miles to patrol, synchronizing our collective efforts is essential to ensure we're protecting sea lines of communication as effectively and efficiently as possible."

This is borne out by the number of pirates encountered, totaling 443 since 26th August 2008 and 28 vessels confiscated or destroyed.

Those figures in full:

International Response: August 26, 2008 to May 28, 2009:
• 443 pirates encountered
• 212 released; 184 turned over for prosecution; 8 killed; 39 pending
• 26 pirate vessels destroyed; 12 pirate vessels confiscated
• 189 small arms, 39 RPGs, 80 RPG projectiles confiscated

2009 Piracy Statistics, as of May 28:
• 115 piracy events: 27 successful attacks, 85 unsuccessful attacks
• 14 ships and more than 200 merchant mariners currently held hostage by pirates

2008 Piracy Statistics:
• 122 piracy events: 0.37 percent of overall traffic
• 42 successful attacks, 80 unsuccessful attacks

Ross Kemp on Pirates

(Photo: Sky.com)

Ross Kemp returns with a documentary film crew for Sky with a new series on piracy.

Set to screen on Sky 1 on the 8th of June the 3 part series looks at the situation in Somalia and Nigeria.

As with his past TV outings he has immersed himself with his subjects, spending time with those fighting piracy aboard the UK Royal Navy Frigate HMS Northumberland and ashore with pirates themselves.

Trailers are available from the Sky website.

Australia Sails in Support of ITF 150

(Photo: Royal Australian Navy)


(Photo: Royal Australian Air Force)

The Australian Defence Force has today announced it's continued support of anti-piracy operations around the Horn of Africa.

It is to re-deploy both Navy and Air Force assets in the form of the Anzac Class Frigate 'HMAS Warramunga' and an AP-3C Orion Maritime Patrol Aircraft.

Both were previously deployed under anti-terrorism operation 'Slipper' in the Middle East.

Another Day Another Rescue

(Photo: U.S. Navy/Eric L. Beauregard Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class)

The US Navy are once again lending a hand as rescuers whilst out on patrol with the Combined Task Force 151.

The dhow pictured had been adrift for approximately 2 days with engine troubles before the crew of the guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg, patrolling the coast, were able to assist.

Swedish Navy Releases Video of Pirates Pursuit

(Video: Forsvarsmakten)

The pursuit and capture of a pirate skiff were captured in high definition by the Swedish Navy (Forsvarsmakten), who have release this unique insight into the daily fight against piracy experienced by members of the Operation Atalanta Task Force.

More Pirates Captured

(Photo: Jimmie Adamsson/Forsvarsmakten)


(Photo: Mats Nystrom/Combat Camera/Forsvarsmakten)


(Photo: Mats Nystrom/Combat Camera/Forsvarsmakten)


(Photo: Mats Nystrom/Combat Camera/Forsvarsmakten)

EU NAVFOR Operation Atalanta task force member HMS Malmo, a Swedish Warship (far left of top image), today engaged pirates after a distress call was received from a Greek flagged Bulk Carrier transiting the Gulf of Aden.

A skiff containing 7 pirates fired both small arms and rocket propelled grenades at the Bulk Carrier before the warship intervened firing warning shots and flares. After a short pursuit the skiff surrendered to the Swedish boarding team and are currently being held on board the HMS Malmo.

A search of the skiff revealed an assortment of weapons and equipment, all carefully prepared to ensure the success of the pirates once a target was acquired.

This is the second party of pirates captured in under a week, with 9 pirates detained by the Italian frigate ITS Maestrale on Friday after another attack upon a greek vessel.

US Navy Rescues 52

(Photo: U.S. Navy/Daniel Barker/Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class)


(Photo: U.S. Navy/Daniel Barker/Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class)


(Photo: U.S. Navy/Daniel Barker/Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class)

US Naval Cruiser USS Lake Champlain proved that it's not just there for the bad things in life. Whilst patrolling the coast of Somalia, in an effort to restore peace to the busy trade route, a helicopter on a routine exercise spotted a drifting skiff.

Upon closer inspection it was noted that the vessel was in distress, having broken down approximately 7 days previous. The skiff had been adrift for this time with little chance of rescue.
In total 52 people were rescued and treated aboard the USS Lake Champlain for severe dehydration and associated complaints.

Lessons Learned in the USA

(Photo: US T&I)

The subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation at the House of Representative met to discuss the security situation and the effect of piracy against US flagged Vessels.

Their paper on recent lessons learned as well as a video of the hearing is available here.

This paper highlights just how large an explosion in piracy has been experience in the first half of 2009.

Teenager Pleads Not Guilty

Suspected pirate and currently detained Abduwali Abdukhadir Muse pleaded not guilty to the charges presented by the New York court yesterday.

EU Proves Commitment to Pirate Fight

The European Union demonstrated it's commitment to the fight against piracy in the Indian Ocean with the recent extension of the operational area of the anti-piracy task force based there.

The 'Area of Operations' now includes the Seychelles Islands, an area which has seen an increase in pirate activities recently.

Vessel Released by Pirates

(Photo: Marcelo Lopes)

The bulk carrier 'Patriot' was released yesterday after being held for 26 days.

IMO Recognises Deteriorating Somali Situation

(European Press Association)

The deputy director of Maritime Security and Facilitation at the International Maritime Organization, Nicolaos Charalambous, recognised the severity of the Somali/Gulf of Aden in a speech given at the Kuala Lumpur International Conference on Piracy and Crimes At Sea yesterday.

"The situation is a symptom of a wider problem of lack of (a functioning and effective central) government and the rule of law, both ashore in Somalia and the sea (of Somalia".

Iranian Warships Join Fight

Iran takes the threat to the tankers servicing it's crude export market very seriously.

It is to demonstrate this commitment with the deployment of 2 warships to the Gulf of Aden.

And as the world's 5th largest crude exporter it has every reason to get involved in this ever worsening situation.

It should be arriving in the Gulf over this weekend.

South Korean Intervention - Update

(Photo: U.S. Navy/Eric L. Beauregard Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class)

The US naval cruiser 'USS Gettysburg' working with the South Korean destroyer as part of Combined Task Force 151 also intervened and captured all 17 suspected pirates.

A cache of arms were found aboard their vessel and the suspects are now aboard the cruiser for interrogation.

South Korean Intervention

On Wednesday a South Korean destroyer intervened in a suspected pirates approach to an Egyptian vessel.

The deployment of snipers aboard a military helicopter was enough to stop the attempted hijacking.

The military team were sent from the destroyer 'Munmu the Great" which was operating under the joint task force nearby.

(Reuters)

2nd Death at the Hands of Pirates This Year

The recent release of the tanker Sea Princess II has brought with it news of the 2nd killing of a mariner in 2009.

The Directorate of Shipping of India released a press statement detailing the incident which left 1 seaman dead and another injured.

This is the 2nd killing this year of a captive, on the 23rd of March a yachtsman was murdered during a robbery off the coast of Thailand.

Pirate Attacks Continue to Increase

A statement issued by Captain Pottengal Mukundan, director of the International Maritime Bureau yesterday highlights the desperate times currently being experienced by mariners transiting security hotspots.

The worst increases in crime in the 1st quarter of 2009 once again come from the Somali/Gulf of Aden area.

The Somali/Gulf of Aden issue in numbers:

62% of global pirate attacks take place in the Somali/Gulf of Aden area
21% of vessels appraoced in this area are then fired upon
12% of attacks end in a successful hijacking
478 is the number of seafarers currently held hostage hostage

All of this highlights the desperate problems that are very real to the mariners operating in this area.

Piracy Premiums Boost Hiscox Growth

Hiscox Ltd (LSE:HSX) boasts a very healthy growth of 51% (GBP) in the 1st quater of 2009.

This is in part due to the continued success of it's Guernsey based 'Kidnap and Ransom' team which saw it's premiums increase by 26% (Q1) to $28.5 million.

The Hiscox Group Chairman stated "Our Kidnap and Ransom team continues to lead the market in response to piracy in the Gulf of Aden, giving shipowners and charterers the ability to trade despite the risk involved. We have had considerable interest in our products and our underwriting expertise and swift service has set us apart."

Informants Help Pirates

The Guardian reported today that evidence has come to light suggesting the Somali pirates are receiving assistance from London based consultants.