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Professional Security Teams are Critical
Piracy in the Gulf of Aden is largely a derivative of the complex social and economic problems within Somalia. Somalia has been without a functioning Government since 1991. Piracy in general, however, continues to be a global crime affecting all parts of the world and has been going on for centuries. With that being said, I share my opinions coming from a seventeen-year law enforcement career in the United States.
Piracy, like most crimes involve an opportunity for a criminal element to take advantage of. The criminal opportunity is usually set up by a combination of timing, locale, accessibility and value of the target. The entire world is now aware of the opportunities present in the Gulf of Aden and how the pirates from Somalia are the criminal element taking advantage of it. They have a perfect setting of valuable targets, established timing for their planning, and a favorable locale.
Highlights of this article:
- Record number of attacks in 2008
- Somalia without functioning Government since 1991
- Gulf of Aden and Somalia ranked as the #1 hot spot for pirate attacks
- More than 63 vessels attacked and over 537 crew members taken hostage
- Over 30 million US dollars paid in ransom during 2008
- Somali Pirates armed with RPG's and Automatic Weapons
- Extension of UNSC resolution 1816
- Maritime Security Patrol Area establishedNaval Commanders recommend hiring armed security teams for commercial vessels
The Gulf of Aden and the east coast of Somalia were ranked as the number one hot spot for pirate attacks in 2008. There were over 63 vessels hijacked, and more than 537 crew members taken hostage by pirates. This region has accounted for over 62% of the attacks between January and September of 2008. The pirates from Somalia are armed with automatic weapons and rocket propelled grenades (RPG’s). They are launching attacks from “mother vessels” more than 400 nautical miles from shore. Their tactics and weaponry have improved, and are believed to have support from known terrorist organizations. The Somali Pirates commonly take control of the hijacked vessel and sail to a pirate controlled region off the coast of Somalia. The pirates will then make contact with the ship owners for discussions about the ransom they are seeking. There have been reports indicating Somali Pirates have received over 30 million U.S. dollars for ransom demands in 2008.
As a result of piracy, the maritime shipping industry stands to lose millions of dollars due to the increase of insurance costs and unfavorable changes to normal operating procedures used to traverse the Gulf of Aden. Some commercial vessels have increased their speed through the Gulf of Aden to minimize their exposure time and to make their vessels harder for pirates to approach. This has increased the fuel consumption by their ships. Other shipping vessels have avoided the Gulf of Aden and have re-routed their ships around the Cape of Good Hope, adding to voyage time and fuel expenses. This does not even take into account the associated dangers the crew members are subjected to while operating in these dangerous waters. It is mind boggling that there were over 500 crew members taken hostage off the coast of Somalia resulting from hijacking. It certainly stands to reason why the International community has started to address this problem in the Gulf of Aden.
 The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is seeking an extension of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 1816. Resolution 1816 and the Somalian government have outlined terms for foreign countries who are supporting anti-piracy efforts to enter Somalian territorial waters to use “all necessary means” consistent with international law to stop piracy. The commander of the U.S. Naval Central Command has directed the establishment of a Maritime Security Patrol Area (MSPA) in the Gulf of Aden. There are over thirteen (13) international navies providing anti-piracy patrols. The international shipping industry leaders have indicated they appreciate the response from the countries providing naval support, but are largely disappointed with what they are referring to as an inadequate response. The shipping industry is dismayed by recent comments from some of the commanders operating within the MSPA. Commanders have commented about the shipping industry needing to provide their own defense, up to and including providing armed security teams onboard their vessels. The international shipping industry has publicly rejected this recommendation, and has taken the stance this would only add to the danger and escalate the violence.
The efforts by UNSC will not solve the piracy problem in the Gulf of Aden, it will only reduce the opportunity for Somali Pirates to pursue their criminal actions. The maritime shipping industry will need to take advantage of this historical international response and utilize the limited time window they have to improve onboard security procedures. Maritime companies expecting crewmembers to defend their vessels with high-pressure water hoses while encountering pirates armed with automatic weapons and RPG’s are not thinking clearly of the consequences of their expectations. I would expect the maritime industry to see an increase in civil litigation brought upon by their own employees when an unfortunate injury or death occurs during this unreasonable expectation. I agree with the shipping companies reasoning in not arming their own crewmembers with firearms to address the problem. This option would certainly create a dangerous environment for the crew, and subject the shipping companies to a separate area of liability. I will add one more thought regarding what I believe to be a knee-jerk response or desperate measures on the part of some shipping companies; Hiring Private Military Companies (PMC). The PMC’s are a great resource and supplement to military operations in conflict areas such as Iraq and Afghanistan. Most PMC’ are structured with military philosophy and market their employment of ex-special force operators. Members of the Special Forces are the best at what they do….operate in critical high-risk environments conducting military operations. However, their missions are distant from the intricacies of civil liability and accountability to the public. No doubt, the PMC’s could provide a lethal solution to the piracy problem in the Gulf of Aden. This would most likely expose the shipping companies to unnecessary tangible risk factors not appropriate for private companies working in the civilian arena.
As I mentioned at the beginning of this article, I come from a law enforcement background with experience in Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT). Municipal SWAT Teams are highly trained and equipped to operate in high-risk situations, while remaining accountable to civil litigation and maintaining the public trust through transparency. Transparency is not a luxury for us; it is mandatory and the best way to maintain public trust.
Somali Pirates are similar to Drug Cartels and Street Gangs operating in large cities. I have spent my entire law enforcement career dealing with these types of criminal organizations. Even though these criminal gangs are normally well financed and violent, they are not a military problem. Modern police departments and their officers are equipped and trained to handle organized and violent criminals. Most larger Law Enforcement agencies have SWAT Teams available if the need arises. These tactical teams deploy highly trained officers with advanced weaponry and equipment.
Maritime security teams structured after modern SWAT Teams would be well suited to deny the violent pirates from gaining access to commercial vessels. The available tactics would address the liability concerns of today’s shipping companies. SWAT teams have very effective less-lethal applications, and are well disciplined with their lethal weapons if needed.
We prepare all of clients with operational plans, which will always include less-lethal capabilities, along with lethal options and contingency planning. Effective planning is paramount to every event…..there are no exceptions.
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