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.