Countering Piracy by
Enhancing Vessel Security U.S. Coast Guard efforts to develop and refine
guidance for merchant ships in high-risk waters. by CDR LEE BOONE
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Pirates have been operating with success off Somalia's 2,300-mile coast, the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Aden, and surround- ing ocean waters for years. This success is fueled by a weak rule of law in Somalia, and the opportunity for multi-million- dollar ransom payments.
Concerted efforts are necessary to miti- gate the threat that these illegal activi- ties pose to merchant shipping, given the enormous size and complexity of the affected area. The U.S. Coast Guard leveraged existing statutory authority, access to robust U.S. government subject matter expertise and resources, and a mature commercial industry partnership to develop a tailored security program to protect U.S.-flagged vessels against the threat of piracy.
History, Serendipity Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Congress passed the Maritime Transportation Secu- rity Act (MTSA) of 2002 to address port, vessel, and waterway security LQ WKH 8 6
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merchant vessels operating worldwide. The act gave the U.S. Coast Guard the authority to require vessels and port facilities to conduct risk assessments and develop security plans to mitigate that risk, thus cre- ating a consistent security program for all the nation's ports and vessels.
24 Proceedings Spring 2012
The MTSA was initially created to counter the threat of terrorism, however the drafters did not exclude any particular type of security threat. These regulations focus on countering any threat to life, property, the HQYLURQPHQW RU WKH ÁRZ RI FRPPHUFH GXH WR SROLWLFDO terrorism or criminal or other disruptive acts. Simply put: Security is security in the United States.
The MTSA allows the U.S. Coast Guard to issue maritime security (MARSEC) directives containing pertinent sensitive security information directly to affected mariners, while protecting this information's release to the general public. This tool proves to be valuable in creating a tailored and adaptive counter- piracy security program and allows U.S. vessels to counter the unique threat of piracy and armed rob- bery, which is still prevalent off the Horn of Africa.
For example, in February 2006, the Coast Guard released MARSEC Directive 104-6 to vessels sub- ject to MTSA, providing general direction to vessels operating in waters where acts of piracy and armed robbery against ships are prevalent.1 included requirements to:
This directive
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www.uscg.mil/proceedings
Prevention
