The most effective proven deterrent to piracy
In April 2010, there were no successful pirate attacks in the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC), which is the route patrolled by the Counter-Piracy Task Force. Although elsewhere in the region there were 19 attacks and three vessels successfully pirated, this is a significantly reduced number compared to the corresponding period last year.
While the efforts of naval task forces in the area have helped combat piracy, the military alone cannot prevent all pirate attacks, and commercial vessels must not depend solely upon military intervention to ensure their safe passage. The commercial shipping industry is now demonstrating that the most effective proven deterrent to piracy is by their actions.
Merchant vessels that have adopted industry recommended “Best Management Practices” and that have registered with the Maritime Security Centre – Horn of Africa and the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Organization, Dubai (e-mail: [email protected]) reduce the likelihood of their becoming victims of piracy. This advice is not based on theoretical data but on proven statistics. Best Management Practices that were adopted by the last three vessels to avoid a successful pirate attack in April 2010 included the use of fire hoses; increased speed; evasive manoeuvres and the securing of hatches.
Source: Commander Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), U.S. Naval Forces Central Command