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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Anti-Piracy Education and Training by CAPTAIN JON S. HELMICK, PH.D., USMS Director, Maritime Logistics and Security Program U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Midshipmen at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) receive anti-piracy, maritime security, and anti-terrorism training during their senior bridge resource management course. During this time, they learn how to develop security and anti-piracy plans for a prospective voyage. USMMA midshipmen also take maritime security awareness training prior to WKHLU ÀUVW ´VHD \HDUµ SHULRG DV FDGHWV DERDUG RSHUDW- ing commercial vessels. USMMA Industry Research Midshipmen in the USMMA mar- itime security research seminar and in the logistics and intermodal transportation program capstone course conduct applied research projects for outside organiza- tions on maritime security issues, including counter-piracy strate- gies and tactics. One of these agen- cies, the National Nuclear Security Administration, requested a proj- ect focus on counter-piracy begin- ning in 2009. In subsequent iterations, midship- men—many of whom have tran- sited areas at high risk for piracy— undertook research on other aspects of piracy. Most recently, midshipmen investigated the sup- ply chain implications of Somali pirate attacks and analyzed the use of alternative ship routing to avoid the threat. www.uscg.mil/proceedings State Maritime Academies Several of the state maritime academies are active in anti-piracy education and training at the undergrad- uate and professional education levels. For example, Maine Maritime Academy operates an anti-piracy defense course at the continuing educa- tion level, which is designed to inform merchant ves- VHO RIÀFHUV DQG FUHZ DERXW WKH PRWLYDWLRQ DQG WDFWLFV Training, drills, and exercises promote vigilance and awareness that help crews prevent, detect, and deter piracy. All photos courtesy of Captain Jon S. Helmick. Spring 2012 Proceedings 39 Prevention