Piracy and what SAMI is doing about it
To date, no vessel has been hijacked while carrying armed guards.
The numbers of reported maritime security incidents off Somalia and in the Indian Ocean continue to grow, writes Steven Jones of the newly formed Security Association for the Marine Industry (SAMI).
The 2011 data makes grim reading, as the first few months of the year have included 248 total incidents. The Maritime Security Review figures include, amongst others, 191 incidents of piracy or attempted piracy, 8 acts of terrorism and 27 incidents of piracy and hijack of vessels.
As piracy attacks rise, private security guards are being used to safeguard vessels from hijack. Some owners/operators use unarmed personnel, while increasingly others are opting for armed security teams. Given that, to date, no vessel has been hijacked while carrying armed guards it is perhaps understandable that the carriage of weapons is becoming more accepted.
The tactics used by pirates are well documented, and from either shore bases, or more commonly ‘motherships’, they send out speedboats and skiffs full of pirates to attack ships. The pirates fire machine gun rounds and rocket propelled grenades and hope to gain access to the vessel and take it over. They then hold the crew and vessel for ransom.
Such attacks inevitably create a demand for security, which in turn creates new problems. The burgeoning business opportunities have seen many new companies appearing in the market, but who are they and how can we safeguard the standards in place?
Unfortunately, some companies operate without adequate experience, without necessary licenses to carry arms and without the insurances necessary to protect clients and employees in the event of something going wrong. However, there are some signs of progress as the Security Association for the Maritime Industry (SAMI) brings together security companies and the maritime industry to forge robust, reliable and reassuring vetting processes and standards. Ship owners can now turn to providers who are members of SAMI, safe in the knowledge that the company is of a certain level.
SAMI founder Peter Cook recognises concerns over the quality of some security providers. “It is fair to say that the current business opportunity is attracting companies who have gained experience ashore rather than at sea. This does have implications for the quality of service, the understanding of seafarers and ships, and of the foundations many start-up firms are built upon.
“The vetting standards we are developing mean that all can be sure of the quality they can expect from a SAMI member company.”
All too often choosing a security provider was done on trust. Until now there was no real way of knowing the standard of those employed. With today’s security marketplace a mix of established names and new start-ups, membership of SAMI will help to clarify and clear the confusion.
SAMI has been established with the support of the Marshall Islands administration and a range of reputable international maritime security companies. Safeguarding and promoting the very highest of professional standards, while ensuring that security providers are subject to robust checks and a thorough due diligence process are vital stages in mitigating the risk of accidents, injuries and loss of life.
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