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.
Issue link: https://uscgproceedings.epubxp.com/i/57858
2010 Counter-Piracy Summit The summit's highlight: a facilitated counter-piracy exercise that allowed participants to: t t t t EFTDSJCF UIFJS SPMFT JOUFSFTUT TQFDJmD PCKFDUJWFT and expectations; JEFOUJGZ IPX UIFZ UZQJDBMMZ JOUFSBDU XJUI DPPQFSBU- ing counter-piracy forces in the region; TIBSF IPX UIFZ QSFQBSF GPS BOE SFTQPOE UP QJSBUF attacks; EJTDVTT GBDUPST PG TVDDFTT BOE GBJMVSF Anti-Piracy Measures Homeland Security Studies and Analysis Institute facilitators led participants through a discussion on "normal operations," followed by a guided conver- sation regarding a situation of "heightened alert," "under attack," and "boarded and seized." The Take-Aways The exercise uncovered counter-piracy procedures that U.S.-flag vessel operators can use to respond and support their crews should a piracy incident occur. The facilitated discussions also identified the need for guidance clarification and improvement and noted matters for subsequent resolution. Piracy Action Team Due to the dynamic nature of piracy, the Coast Guard hosts periodic "piracy coordination" calls with mem- bers of the piracy action team 2 to validate security measures and incorporate lessons learned. About the author: /&'5 -DPHV 7 )RJOH ZRUNV LQ WKH 2IÀFH RI 9HVVHO $FWLYLWLHV Domestic Compliance Division at U.S. Coast Guard headquar- ters. He provides program oversight for the safety and security of 8 6 ÁDJJHG FRPPHUFLDO YHVVHOV Endnotes: 1. SOCP is an industry/government partnership formed in 1993 to share resources in development and evaluation of technologies to advance shipboard safety, regulations, environment, training, reliability and productivity in an effort to improve the competitiveness of the U.S. maritime industry. 2. The piracy action team members include representatives from the 'HSDUWPHQW RI 6WDWH 2IÀFH RI WKH 6HFUHWDU\ RI 'HIHQVH -RLQW &KLHI; of Staff, Department of Transportation/Maritime Administration, 2IÀFH RI 1DYDO ,QWHOOLJHQFH 'HSDUWPHQW RI &RPPHUFH; 'HSDUWPHQW of Justice, Military Sealift Command, Global Maritime Situational Awareness, Overseas Security Advisory Council, United States Agency for International Development, Naval Criminal Investiga- tive Service, Customs and Border Protection, Transportation Security Administration, U.S. Africa Command, U.S. Central Command, U.S. Transportation Command, and Coast Guard Atlantic Area. This team serves as an information-sharing and coordination mechanism to support a whole-of- government approach to countering piracy. Rep- resentatives use this forum to examine changes in the piracy landscape and how those changes impact current U.S. counter-piracy policy. The Coast Guard hosts "piracy coordination" calls to validate security measures and incorporate lessons learned. Future Maritime Industry Engagement The Coast Guard and the U.S. government inter- agency remains committed to working with our maritime industry stakeholder partners to develop effective strategies for combating piracy, and improve counter-piracy policy and doctrine. It is the Coast Guard's goal to develop a program for continued engagement with industry, with a schedule of meetings devoted to updating stake- holders regarding experiences in the region, secur- ing recommendations about revisions to best prac- tice procedures and directives, and exercising to sustain skills and uncover issues. 28 Proceedings Spring 2012 www.uscg.mil/proceedings