As Reported HERE
I have not re posted the entire article and you can read it by clicking on the link above. Any company taking arms into Eritrean waters is violating the UN arms embargo in place on Eritrea. So not only do these persons have an issue with the Eritrean authorities, they absolutely will have issue with the arms embargo issue
No. 1: One way to sail through the pirate-infested Gulf of Aden with peace of mind is purchasing security services. Protection Vessels International, Ltd. is one of such security corporations founded by former British special forces personnel. It provides escort and protection services to merchant ships. PVI is a maritime version of Blackwater Inc., which provides security services to officials and military personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan.
When a security vessel of the PVI visited the port of Masswa, Eritrea, on Dec. 24 for refueling, the company’s employees were arrested by the Eritrean police on charges of possession of illegal firearms.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Captain Killed in Cross Fire
As Reported HERE
Captain of hijacked Taiwan boat died in crossfire
Published: Saturday, May. 28, 2011 - 8:05 pm
TAIPEI, Taiwan -- Taiwan's Foreign Ministry says the captain of a hijacked Taiwanese fishing boat was killed in crossfire between U.S. Navy personnel and Somali pirates.
The ministry says the USS Stephen W. Groves and pirates aboard the hijacked Jih Chun Tsai 68 fishing trawler exchanged fire over the Indian Ocean during the U.S. frigate's anti-piracy patrol mission earlier this month.
The ministry said in a statement late Saturday that three pirates and Taiwanese captain Wu Lai-yu were killed in the incident.
The ministry said pirates hijacked the boat off the Somali coast in March 2010 and used the vessel to launch maritime attacks.
Confrontations with Somali pirates have turned increasingly violent in recent months.
The ministry says the USS Stephen W. Groves and pirates aboard the hijacked Jih Chun Tsai 68 fishing trawler exchanged fire over the Indian Ocean during the U.S. frigate's anti-piracy patrol mission earlier this month.
The ministry said in a statement late Saturday that three pirates and Taiwanese captain Wu Lai-yu were killed in the incident.
The ministry said pirates hijacked the boat off the Somali coast in March 2010 and used the vessel to launch maritime attacks.
Confrontations with Somali pirates have turned increasingly violent in recent months.
Monday, May 23, 2011
US Navy Predicting Pirate Attacks
After reading this article HERE I had to have a chuckle as this is another example of the US spending probably millions on this prediction model and software, when we have been doing the exact same thing for over two years now. We actually publish this on a monthly basis, in addition to our daily reports supplied to our teams on the water.
Naval researchers update the anti-pirate program every 12 hours with new data about winds, wave heights and
The U.S. Navy Thinks They Can Predict Where Pirate Attacks Will Happen Next
Let us not forget pirates still exist. In fact, SEAL Team Six exterminated a pack of Somali pirates a couple years back. And because they're still a threat, the Navy developed advanced software that flags high risk pirate attack zones. According to Discovery, the app takes weather, known pirate locations, vulnerable shipping routes and past history into consideration. Thousands of simulations are run, which determines the most probable areas of attack. When the factors all align, the alarms go off.Naval researchers update the anti-pirate program every 12 hours with new data about winds, wave heights and
undersea currents — all factors that affect the pirates' ability to operate small skiffs to attack commercial ships. The model, known as the Piracy Attack Risk Surface (PARS), also uses classified reports about pirate whereabouts from captured sailors or unmanned drone aircraft patrolling the skies.In addition, the Navy is developing a high-speed, remote control boat called the Predator, which can run down pirates with a swiftness. Excellent.
The result is a color-coded map that divides the ocean into zones of probability of pirate strikes, much like NOAA's hurricane forecast.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
US Navy Fires on Pirates
As Reported HERE
The interdiction took place at 10:35 a.m. local time. The Norfolk, Va.-based Bulkeley, assigned to Joint Task Force 150, had received a mayday call from the German-owned, Panamanian-flagged crude carrier Artemis Glory, which said it was being chased and attacked by pirates.
Bulkeley responded to the mayday call, first heard by a Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship and relayed to Combined Maritime Forces, by launching an SH-60B Seahawk helicopter assigned to Helicopter Squadron Light 48, Detachment 4, to investigate. When it arrived on station — a command spokesman could not provide the distance or transit time — the crew saw four individuals in a skiff firing at Artemis Glory, using small arms.
The helicopter crew opened fire on the skiff under what command spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Sam Hearn of the Royal Navy said was the principle of “extended unit self-defense” on behalf of the crude carrier. All four pirates are believed to have been killed, Hearn said. Hearn said he did not know which weapon system was employed but noted that the SH-60B is equipped with a single M-240 machine gun.
Officials do not believe the helicopter was fired upon by the pirates, Hearn said.
Hearn said Bulkeley did not pick up the bodies, and could not say whether the skiff was sunk. Once it was determined that Artemis Glory was out of danger, the ship continued on its way, Hearn said. The ship is transporting a cargo of crude oil from Saudi Arabia to China.
None of Artemis Glory’s 23 crew members were injured, according to the command.
It’s at least the second run-in with piracy in the region for Bulkeley. On March 5, the simple arrival of Bulkeley in response to a hijacking attempt on a Japanese oiler — a Turkish frigate subsequently joined the U.S. ship — convinced four pirates already on board to surrender to a boarding team without a shot being fired.
Navy: Helo fires on pirate skiff, killing 4
The crew of a Navy helicopter launched from the destroyer Bulkeley fired upon and is believed to have killed four pirates who were in the process of attacking a crude oil carrier while it was transiting the Gulf of Oman on Monday, according to Combined Maritime Forces.
The interdiction took place at 10:35 a.m. local time. The Norfolk, Va.-based Bulkeley, assigned to Joint Task Force 150, had received a mayday call from the German-owned, Panamanian-flagged crude carrier Artemis Glory, which said it was being chased and attacked by pirates.
Bulkeley responded to the mayday call, first heard by a Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship and relayed to Combined Maritime Forces, by launching an SH-60B Seahawk helicopter assigned to Helicopter Squadron Light 48, Detachment 4, to investigate. When it arrived on station — a command spokesman could not provide the distance or transit time — the crew saw four individuals in a skiff firing at Artemis Glory, using small arms.
The helicopter crew opened fire on the skiff under what command spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Sam Hearn of the Royal Navy said was the principle of “extended unit self-defense” on behalf of the crude carrier. All four pirates are believed to have been killed, Hearn said. Hearn said he did not know which weapon system was employed but noted that the SH-60B is equipped with a single M-240 machine gun.
Officials do not believe the helicopter was fired upon by the pirates, Hearn said.
Hearn said Bulkeley did not pick up the bodies, and could not say whether the skiff was sunk. Once it was determined that Artemis Glory was out of danger, the ship continued on its way, Hearn said. The ship is transporting a cargo of crude oil from Saudi Arabia to China.
None of Artemis Glory’s 23 crew members were injured, according to the command.
It’s at least the second run-in with piracy in the region for Bulkeley. On March 5, the simple arrival of Bulkeley in response to a hijacking attempt on a Japanese oiler — a Turkish frigate subsequently joined the U.S. ship — convinced four pirates already on board to surrender to a boarding team without a shot being fired.
IAMSP Releases First Online Training Course
As Reported HERE
IAMSP is proud to announce the release of its first online professional development course, available as part of the Full and Associate membership within the Association. This course, the first of four, concentrates on the Duty of Care and is part of a series that is intended to set the baseline for professional conduct in the domain.
This training is intended to meet two critical needs within the industry.
First, IAMSP's offering allows its Full and Associate members the opportunity, without incurring additional costs, to demonstrate to the industry that they are willing to expand their knowledge and understanding with respect to professional conduct. This serves to meet the industry's need for a clear, verifiable means of determining the security practitioner's understanding of key concepts that can be traced back through common and accepted audit processes.
Second, this offering demonstrates IAMSP's commitment in support of its membership and the shipping industry, providing realistic, cost-effective alternatives to meet the shipping industry's evolving requirements. As a further expression of good will, IAMSP's Executive has also taken the decision to allow, assessed on a case-by-case basis, the release of the material to recognized and accredited maritime institutions as a tangible demonstration of our Association's commitment to building long term solutions to these challenges in return for proper attribution of the work.
IAMSP's commitment in this regard is to provide the industry, academic institutions, and practitioners with a cost-effective platform by which their members can broaden their knowledge and understanding of the maritime security domain. At the same time, these short courses will also be used as part of the Continuing Education and Upkeep requirements associated with the Certified Maritime Security Professional.
IAMSP is proud to announce the release of its first online professional development course, available as part of the Full and Associate membership within the Association. This course, the first of four, concentrates on the Duty of Care and is part of a series that is intended to set the baseline for professional conduct in the domain.
This training is intended to meet two critical needs within the industry.
First, IAMSP's offering allows its Full and Associate members the opportunity, without incurring additional costs, to demonstrate to the industry that they are willing to expand their knowledge and understanding with respect to professional conduct. This serves to meet the industry's need for a clear, verifiable means of determining the security practitioner's understanding of key concepts that can be traced back through common and accepted audit processes.
Second, this offering demonstrates IAMSP's commitment in support of its membership and the shipping industry, providing realistic, cost-effective alternatives to meet the shipping industry's evolving requirements. As a further expression of good will, IAMSP's Executive has also taken the decision to allow, assessed on a case-by-case basis, the release of the material to recognized and accredited maritime institutions as a tangible demonstration of our Association's commitment to building long term solutions to these challenges in return for proper attribution of the work.
IAMSP's commitment in this regard is to provide the industry, academic institutions, and practitioners with a cost-effective platform by which their members can broaden their knowledge and understanding of the maritime security domain. At the same time, these short courses will also be used as part of the Continuing Education and Upkeep requirements associated with the Certified Maritime Security Professional.
IAMSP Vetting of Training Process Released
As Reported HERE
IAMSP is proud to announce that it has passed another benchmark in its efforts to provide support for professionalization within the maritime security industry. The Vetting of Training document provides the framework within which the Association can assess training from providers that are seeking the Association's endorsement. This serves two purposes. First, it holds the provider to a high standard in the development of the training and then monitors that training to ensure that it is continuing to meet those requirements. Second, it ensures that the Association's efforts in this respect are both clearly understood and transparent to the submitter, holding the Association accountable for maintaining a clearly communicated, documented, repeatable and audit-able process.
This benchmark is one of the final steps in the Association's adherence to two key standards. The first, ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management Systems(and its associated documents) describes a management system that ensures that the requirements of the client, in this case the submitter and the candidate, are met. The second tier of documents, including ISO 17024:2003 Conformity Assessment - General requirements for bodies operating the certification of persons is intended to ensure that the training being endorsed has been through a process that clearly demonstrates its relevance to the industry.
The Vetting of Training document can be accessed from the Vetting of Training page for those that have registered on the IAMSP website.
IAMSP is proud to announce that it has passed another benchmark in its efforts to provide support for professionalization within the maritime security industry. The Vetting of Training document provides the framework within which the Association can assess training from providers that are seeking the Association's endorsement. This serves two purposes. First, it holds the provider to a high standard in the development of the training and then monitors that training to ensure that it is continuing to meet those requirements. Second, it ensures that the Association's efforts in this respect are both clearly understood and transparent to the submitter, holding the Association accountable for maintaining a clearly communicated, documented, repeatable and audit-able process.
This benchmark is one of the final steps in the Association's adherence to two key standards. The first, ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management Systems(and its associated documents) describes a management system that ensures that the requirements of the client, in this case the submitter and the candidate, are met. The second tier of documents, including ISO 17024:2003 Conformity Assessment - General requirements for bodies operating the certification of persons is intended to ensure that the training being endorsed has been through a process that clearly demonstrates its relevance to the industry.
The Vetting of Training document can be accessed from the Vetting of Training page for those that have registered on the IAMSP website.
IAMSP Endorses Oceanus Live
As Reported HERE
IAMSP is pleased to announce the results of the Technical Evaluation Team’s (TET) review of the OCEANUSLive.org service currently in beta testing and expected to move into full production mode in the near future. This review, undertaken by a team of three persons under the oversight of the President, examined the offering based upon its adherence to the latest and sound principles associated with maritime domain awareness, information and intelligence production, and its utility to the maritime security effort currently underway in the Indian Ocean (and applicable elsewhere).
This review touched on 168 topics that included reviewing the concept, design, fragility, safety, maintenance, life cycle management, risk management and training elements associated with the service being offered and took place over a six week period.
As a result of this effort, it is the assessment of the TET that the service does address a significant need or vulnerability currently evident within the maritime security awareness domain, has demonstrated that (under normal operating conditions) to be consistently reliable and to be reasonable in terms of integration and maintenance within organization’s normal operating routines.
The IAMSP is of the belief, based on sound doctrine and experience, that timely information communication and sharing is an essential element in helping protect our seafarers during higher-risk transits. We further echo the concept that such information sharing must be done across the full community of those seeking to protect our seafarers and add our voice to calls to the various reporting centers and organizations to focus on this important goal.
IAMSP is pleased to announce the results of the Technical Evaluation Team’s (TET) review of the OCEANUSLive.org service currently in beta testing and expected to move into full production mode in the near future. This review, undertaken by a team of three persons under the oversight of the President, examined the offering based upon its adherence to the latest and sound principles associated with maritime domain awareness, information and intelligence production, and its utility to the maritime security effort currently underway in the Indian Ocean (and applicable elsewhere).
This review touched on 168 topics that included reviewing the concept, design, fragility, safety, maintenance, life cycle management, risk management and training elements associated with the service being offered and took place over a six week period.
As a result of this effort, it is the assessment of the TET that the service does address a significant need or vulnerability currently evident within the maritime security awareness domain, has demonstrated that (under normal operating conditions) to be consistently reliable and to be reasonable in terms of integration and maintenance within organization’s normal operating routines.
The IAMSP is of the belief, based on sound doctrine and experience, that timely information communication and sharing is an essential element in helping protect our seafarers during higher-risk transits. We further echo the concept that such information sharing must be done across the full community of those seeking to protect our seafarers and add our voice to calls to the various reporting centers and organizations to focus on this important goal.
IMO Endorses Armed Maritime Security
HERE As Reported
About one in 10 ships off the Somali coast already carry armed guards.
But observers say this number is likely to rise now that the UN has endorsed the practice.
The IMO says there were 489 reports of piracy and armed robbery against ships in 2010 - up more then 20% on 2009.
The areas worst affected were the Indian Ocean, East Africa and the Far East including the South China Sea, South America and the Caribbean.
So far this year more than 200 cases have been reported.
Correspondents say piracy in the Indian Ocean is getting more lucrative and more violent, despite an anti-piracy EU naval force patrolling the area.
Torture The IMO's new recommendations are backed by the independent trade body for security companies operating at sea, the Security Association for the Maritime Industry (Sami), launched last year.
Peter Cook, co-founder of Sami, told the BBC: "The pirates have been killing - they have been torturing and doing fake executions and the level of violence is increasing.
"It is clear that something has got to be done in order for free trade to be able to continue and it is for that reason that the IMO have decided to go down this very unusual route."
The IMO insists that the guidelines are not intended to institutionalise the use of armed, privately contracted security staff on ships and that they do not address all the legal issues that could be linked to their use.
The IMO describes the guidance as "interim recommendations" and says it will review them in September.
IMO endorses use of armed guards on ships
The UN's International Maritime Organization (IMO) has endorsed the use of private armed guards to protect ships from piracy.
After a meeting in London, the IMO issued guidelines for the use of guards on board ships in areas of high risk, including in the Indian Ocean. About one in 10 ships off the Somali coast already carry armed guards.
But observers say this number is likely to rise now that the UN has endorsed the practice.
The IMO says there were 489 reports of piracy and armed robbery against ships in 2010 - up more then 20% on 2009.
The areas worst affected were the Indian Ocean, East Africa and the Far East including the South China Sea, South America and the Caribbean.
So far this year more than 200 cases have been reported.
Correspondents say piracy in the Indian Ocean is getting more lucrative and more violent, despite an anti-piracy EU naval force patrolling the area.
Torture The IMO's new recommendations are backed by the independent trade body for security companies operating at sea, the Security Association for the Maritime Industry (Sami), launched last year.
Peter Cook, co-founder of Sami, told the BBC: "The pirates have been killing - they have been torturing and doing fake executions and the level of violence is increasing.
"It is clear that something has got to be done in order for free trade to be able to continue and it is for that reason that the IMO have decided to go down this very unusual route."
The IMO insists that the guidelines are not intended to institutionalise the use of armed, privately contracted security staff on ships and that they do not address all the legal issues that could be linked to their use.
The IMO describes the guidance as "interim recommendations" and says it will review them in September.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
ISSG and 21st Century Business
As Reported HERE
ISSG Holdings, Ltd., is an international business company engaged in merchant vessel protection. We have a solution based mindset providing a ISSG Holdings, Ltd., is an international business company engaged in merchant vessel protection. They have a total solution based mindset providing a
bespoke service to the maritime industry. They believe in due diligence and exercising due care with a business approach.
The company specializes in long term, multiple transit contracts as this is the most cost effective solution for the maritime industry. Their security consultants include former Marine / Navy Commandos that are all trained in ship defense, boarding and hostage recovery.
Any security safeguard should be based on a properly conducted risk assessment involving trained security personnel with experience in the region, as well as the maritime domain. Each vessel and transit should be weighed on its own with the safeguards ensuring appropriate protection for life, property and operations.
The company maintains a 24 / 7 operations command and control center, with contingency back-up with Evolutionary Security Management, Inc. of Canada. This allows a total monitoring of all vessels, weather, communications with vessels and naval forces and continual updated risk assessments. Continuous monitoring is conducted in North America and Asia simultaneously.
ISSG Holdings, Ltd., provides armed security escorts for merchant vessels sailing in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean. They have been able to overcome the obstacles that previously hindered the carriage of firearms in various ports and countries. By having an armed one on one escort, there is no need to place firearms on board the merchant vessel itself, overcoming the liabilities
and potential hazards for carriage of arms on board.
For more information visit www.issg-seamarshals.com
ISSG Holdings, Ltd., is an international business company engaged in merchant vessel protection. We have a solution based mindset providing a ISSG Holdings, Ltd., is an international business company engaged in merchant vessel protection. They have a total solution based mindset providing a
bespoke service to the maritime industry. They believe in due diligence and exercising due care with a business approach.
The company specializes in long term, multiple transit contracts as this is the most cost effective solution for the maritime industry. Their security consultants include former Marine / Navy Commandos that are all trained in ship defense, boarding and hostage recovery.
Any security safeguard should be based on a properly conducted risk assessment involving trained security personnel with experience in the region, as well as the maritime domain. Each vessel and transit should be weighed on its own with the safeguards ensuring appropriate protection for life, property and operations.
The company maintains a 24 / 7 operations command and control center, with contingency back-up with Evolutionary Security Management, Inc. of Canada. This allows a total monitoring of all vessels, weather, communications with vessels and naval forces and continual updated risk assessments. Continuous monitoring is conducted in North America and Asia simultaneously.
ISSG Holdings, Ltd., provides armed security escorts for merchant vessels sailing in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean. They have been able to overcome the obstacles that previously hindered the carriage of firearms in various ports and countries. By having an armed one on one escort, there is no need to place firearms on board the merchant vessel itself, overcoming the liabilities
and potential hazards for carriage of arms on board.
For more information visit www.issg-seamarshals.com
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Ship Company Believes Ship Hijacked
As Reported HERE
A shipping firm says Somali pirates have likely hijacked a chemical tanker with 25 crew members off the coast of Kenya.
Shipping Company Says Pirates Hijack Tanker
A shipping firm says Somali pirates have likely hijacked a chemical tanker with 25 crew members off the coast of Kenya.
Singapore-based Glory Ship Management says it believes the MT Gemini was seized by pirates on Saturday, as the ship sailed toward the Kenyan port city of Mombasa.
A company statement says the vessel is now headed toward Somalia.
The Gemini was carrying 28,000 tons of crude palm oil from Indonesia. Its crew consists of 13 Indonesians, five Chinese, four South Koreans, and three citizens of Burma.
The shipper says it is making "every effort" to secure the crew's release.
Somali pirates made hundreds of millions of dollars hijacking ships for ransom over the past few years.
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