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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ADM Robert J. Papp Jr. Commandant U.S. Coast Guard The Marine Safety & Security Council of the United States Coast Guard RDML Frederick J. Kenney Judge Advocate General Chairman RADM Paul Zukunft Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety, Security and Stewardship Member Mr. Jeff Lantz Director of Commercial Regulations and Standards Member RDML Cari B. Thomas Director of Response Policy Member CAPT Paul Thomas Director of Prevention Policy (acting) Member Mr. Dana A. Goward Director of Marine Transportation Systems Management Member Mr. Craig Bennett Director of National Pollution Funds Center Member RDML Stephen Metruck Assistant Commandant for 5HVRXUFHV &KLHI; )LQDQFLDO 2I¿ FHU Member RDML Karl Schultz Director for Governmental and Public Affairs Member LCDR Erin Ledford Executive Secretary Ms. Kathryn Sinniger Legal Advisor View Proceedings online at www.uscg.mil/proceedings 4 Assistant Commandant's Perspective by RADM PAUL ZUKUNFT Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety, Security and Stewardship Piracy is one of the oldest international crimes and has probably existed as long as sea- borne trade itself. Piracy, along with crimes against humanity, genocide, slavery, and tor- ture is one of the international offenses that establishes universal jurisdiction. Maritime piracy puts the lives of seafarers in jeopardy, and affects the economic interests of all nations. The February 2011 attack on the S/V Quest and the tragic murder of four American citizens illustrate pirates' indiscriminate and escalating violence. Somalia-based piracy along the Horn of Africa impacts more than 2 million square miles of ocean and sea lanes and threatens global shipping. Approximately 33,000 vessels transit the Gulf of Aden and Suez Canal annually, including those transporting more than 10 per- cent of the world's daily oil supplies. The scope and complexity of piracy around the Horn of Africa require a multilateral and whole-of-industry approach to curtail pirate activity. The combination of maritime law enforcement activity by coalition forces and implemen- tation of best management practices by the shipping industry has dramatically reduced the success rate—but not the occurrence—of piracy attacks in the high-risk waters. In DGGLWLRQ WR À UPO\ HVWDEOLVKLQJ WKH UXOH RI ODZ LQ 6RPDOLD HOLPLQDWLQJ SLUDF\ UHTXLUHV D holistic approach that takes maritime security into account while also addressing root causes, which often include poverty and a lack of good governance and rule of law. The U.S. strategy for counter piracy was developed by the National Security Council and published as the "Countering Piracy of the Horn of Africa: Partnership and Action Plan." The plan lays out objectives via three lines of action: (1) prevent attacks by reducing vulnerabilities; (2) interrupt and terminate acts of piracy; and (3) ensure that those who commit acts of piracy are held accountable for their actions by facilitating prosecution. Accomplishing these objectives requires a coordinated whole-of-government approach that integrates military, law enforcement, judicial, diplomatic, and commercial interests in and beyond the affected region. In accordance with this national strategy, the Coast Guard continues to be a leader, in coordination within the U.S. interagency and with industry partners. The Maritime Trans- portation Security Act of 2002 provides the legal authority for the Coast Guard to regulate VDIHW\ DQG VHFXULW\ WR SURWHFW 8 6 PDULQHUV VKLSV DQG FDUJRHV %H\RQG 8 6 Á DJ GLUHFWLRQ the Coast Guard has a unique role to play internationally. Leveraging our experience, as well as the strength and expertise of our U.S. interagency partners, the Coast Guard works closely with the International Maritime Organization and the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia to improve the protection of shipping in these high-risk waters. We will remain engaged with the international maritime community, the U.S. interagency, and the maritime industry to implement counter-piracy measures. The Coast Guard's RYHUVLJKW RI WKH 8 6 Á DJ Á HHW LV WKH LQWHUQDWLRQDO JROG VWDQGDUG DQG ZH ZLOO FRQWLQXH WR make improvements wherever possible. Proceedings Spring 2012 www.uscg.mil/proceedings