Piracy, protection and profits: SOMALI STYLE

With last month’s hijacking of the French luxury yacht Le Ponant, shippers should be reminded that off the coast of East Africa, piracy is alive and well. This isn’t the sort depicted in Hollywood, or glorified in historical accounts, but rather a modern and sophisticated operation, where mobile phones, speedboats, and assault rifles are the tools of the trade.

"We stood facing each other. No one had ever pointed a loaded gun at me before and staring into the barrels, I became weak with fear. I knew I had to maintain some control. The older boy massaged the trigger with his forefinger.

He jabbed the barrel of his rifle into my ribs, silently egging, taunting, challenging. His deep-set eyes, like black glass marbles, drilled into mine with inexplicable anger. I stood before him with my teeth clenched, unflinching, staring into those depthless sockets. He poked my gut, then jabbed harder, testing the tenderness of the meat. Emboldened, he jabbed again as if the barrel of his gun were a bayonet," writes John S. Burnett in his book Dangerous Waters: Modern Piracy and Terror on High Seas.

Most shipping agents and cargo handlers have heard the stories. Notoriously active off the coast of Somalia, piracy hijackings are on the rise as of late. With no effective government since 1991, the pirates have blazingly roamed free, unaccountable to sovereign jurisdiction.

Somali pirates have not been too interested in the theft of cargo, but attracted more to the crew’s personal belongings and contents of the ship’s safe or lock box, which often contains large amounts of cash needed for port fees or payroll. This money is often used to acquire more weapons or advanced technology such as GPS devices or satellite phones. Many are fishermen, as well as trained fighters, and often dress in military fatigues, posing as Somalian navy or coast guard.

Pirates understand the real treasure is in the taking of hostages, while demanding ransom from the vessel owners or shipping companies. Knowing the high value of ships, goods and personnel, pirates correctly calculate the ransoms private owners or corporations of the ships are sure to pay.

“While their ability to seize ships gets a lot of attention, their real strength is organisation,” says Bob Couttie, Founder of the Maritime Accident Casebook.

“Once a ship is seized, a logistics chain ensures that those aboard can hunker down during extended ransom negotiations with supplies of food, water and cigarettes for a long period, and replacement pirates put on board to allow the other pirates some rest and recreation. It’s an expensive business but the rewards of the warlords who finance the operations are high.”

Ships are normally recommended to stay more than 400 kilometres off the Somali coast. Though pirates have responded to this by using ‘motherships,’ or large boats stationed in open waters well off the coastline. With the ability to launch smaller speedboats, ‘motherships’ also act as a refreshing point for returning pirates.

“You can’t do much to a people that have nothing and who are already hurting desperately. Calls not to pay ransom are little more than bluster, and often politically hypocritical. One seafarer, at least, has been executed to make the point, and one wonders how many seafarers’ deaths would be acceptable. Refusal to pay doesn’t work, the kidnappers will simply move on, perhaps after executing the ship’s crew, to another target. Put it like this, if a thug puts a gun to your face and demands your wallet, will he stop robbing people if you refuse to give it over? Of course, not. He’ll shoot you and move on,” says Couttie.

Piracy is seen to be increasing around the world. In 2006, there were 239 attacks globally, 77 crew members were kidnapped and 188 taken hostage, while 15 of the pirate attacks resulted in murder. In 2007, the attacks rose by 10 per cent. Could this be a trend?

“Piracy isn’t going to go away anytime this century,” says Couttie.

If passage through a dangerous strait is necessary, proceed with caution and take the appropriate actions required. “Most importantly,” Couttie says, be watchful of your surroundings.

“When near pirate waters keep a lookout, especially at the pirate’s favourite boarding point, the stern. If unknown vessels approach or behave suspiciously get the crew on deck, show they’re alert, lay out high pressure hoses. And alert the appropriate folk, including the IMB (International Maritime Bureau).