Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Insurers could deploy private fleet

Insurers could deploy private fleet: "A private fleet of armed patrol boats could be created at the behest of insurers from the City of London, CNA has reported.

The speculation has arisen in response to the ongoing piracy from Somalia, afflicting the Gulf of Aden and other waters near to and far from the Horn of Africa.

The idea came about following discussions with ship owners, freight operators and governments.

Somalian pirates in the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden have captured and hold more than 30 vessels, and the insurers’ fleet, dubbed the Convoy Escort Programme, aims to offer increased protection in the dangerous seas around Somalia."
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Merchant Vessel Defense Against Pirates





Preemptive Measures Can Prevent Boarding and Hostage Taking

Too often, ship operators fail to take proper anti-piracy security measures, effectively turning their merchant vessels into “Golden Geese” ripe for the taking, writes the author. He goes on to discuss proven methods of hardening commercial ships and training their crews to prevent pirates – whether from Somalia or elsewhere – from boarding vessels and taking crews hostage.