Proceedings magazine is a communication tool for the Coast Guard's Marine Safety & Security Council. Each quarterly magazine focuses on a specific theme of interest to the marine industry.
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FDUULHUV WKHLU VHQLRU VKLSV· RIÀFHUV DQG WKH VHFXULW\ teams helps to establish roles and expectations. In DGGLWLRQ RIÀFHUV DQG FUHZ EHFRPH IDPLOLDU ZLWK WKH weapons packages deployed on their ships and the issues surrounding weapon placement and storage. The coordinated efforts of the armed personnel and WKH FUHZV FUHDWHV D VHFXUH SUHVHQFH WKDW EHQHÀWV WKH customers, the mariners, and their families. Perhaps most important, relieved of the burden of physical security, mariners are able to focus on what they know best—the ship. Consistent Rules Among Coastal States As the international maritime industry grows to accept the need for armed security to protect mari- ners against piracy, there remains a corresponding QHHG IRU FRDVWDO DQG ÁDJ VWDWHV WR GHYHORS SROLFLHV WKDW facilitate deployment of armed security teams and permit ships to transport weapons without delays. "I've been forced to transfer defense weapons ashore for overland trans- port when calling on consecutive ports in the same country. Many times this involves maneuvering the vessel in close proximity to shoals in less than ideal weather. "No company is interested in hearing that the vessel is anchored, awaiting weapons, because service boats will not come out to the vessel a safe dis- tance from shoal water, due to high winds." —Capt. M. J. Hight What's Next? Today, mariners all over the world continue to be concerned about piracy and work to actively participate in developing anti-piracy practices. Implementing best management practices and adding onboard armed secu- rity teams help mariners protect themselves, but evolving pirate tactics may enable out- laws to defeat anti-piracy measures. Foul weather, fatigue, and isolation from fam- ily are common stressors that take a toll on seafarers. Now, the escalation of piracy in the Gulf of Aden, the Indian Ocean, and around the world, adds even more stress. Mariners will continue to adapt, endure, and serve in their efforts to power world economies; the world owes them its best effort at ending the scourge of piracy. About the authors: Capt. M.J. Hight is in his 18th year with the American 0DULWLPH 2IÀFHUV XQLRQ ZKHUH KH KDV VDLOHG ZLWK VHY- eral contract companies on various types of ocean-going vessels. He is also a 1994 graduate of Maine Maritime Academy. CDR Mike Rodriguez, USN, is serving on active duty with the National Maritime Domain Awareness Coordi- QDWLRQ RIÀFH +H LV D JUDGXDWH RI WKH 8 6 0HUFKDQW Marine Academy, sailed for 16 years, and served as an ITF delegate to the IMO. Endnotes: 1. International Maritime Bureau, "Piracy News and Figures." Website: www.icc-ccs.org. 2. International Transport Workers' Federation, "Review of guidance provided by the Organization for preventing and suppressing piracy and armed robbery against ships," (MSC 84/17/2) presented at the 84th Session of the Maritime Safety Committee, May 7 to 16, 2008. 3. International Maritime Organization, "Report of the Mari- time Safety Committee on its 86th Session," (MSC 86/26). 4. BMP4, "Best Management Practices for Protection against Somalia Based Piracy," Version 4. Witherby Publishing Group Ltd., Scotland, August 2011. www.uscg.mil/proceedings Spring 2012 Proceedings 23 Jan.-Sept. 2011, Worldwide 326 ships attacked t 33 successful hijacks