Pirates Remain a Problem to Commercial Shipping

Somali and Asian pirates continue to be a problem for mariners.

Approximately 43 armed attacks took place in the Asian region during the first half of 2009. According to the task force Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP) Information Sharing Center, 38 cases were actual incidents and the rest were attempts to attack ships.

The Asian region includes the South China Sea, Singapore and the Straits of Malacca. During the opening six months of 2009, the 38 cases included seven acts of piracy and 30 incidents of armed robbery. While, there has been a drop off of incidents during the past months, piracy experts conclude once the monsoon season is over attacks may very well increase.

Piracy Warning to Mariners:

The U.S. Navy has reported that in the Gulf of Aden, 130 ships were attacked off Somalia and 28 of the ships were seized. With 20 percent of global trade using the Gulf as a transit zone, the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) are warning mariners of the possibility of increased attacks as the monsoon season comes to an end.

The CMF says while 30 naval ships from various countries including aircraft and helicopters patrolling the region the closes ship or aircraft may not be close enough to provide assistance to commercial mariners. They also warn that mariners are the first line of defense against attacks.

The CMF also said that vessels traveling slowly with low freeboard and not using lookouts when in high risk areas are the most frequently attacked ships. Crews and companies must have contingency plans in place and maintain vigilance.