“This is a great example of how merchant mariners can take proactive action to prevent being attacked and why we recommend that ships follow industry best practices if they’re in high-risk areas,” Gortney said in a statement.
However, Roger Middleton, a piracy expert at the London-based think tank Chatham House, said the international maritime community was still “solidly against” armed guards aboard vessels at sea, but that American ships have taken a different line than the rest of the international community.
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If I knew what company was being contracted to provide the security, I would totally credit them in this deal. So if any of the readers have a clue, let me know and I will edit this thing. Bravo to the security team for sticking it to these booger eaters. Also, I think Mr. Middleton should re-think his opinion on armed guards. Every company out there has the right to defend itself, and in the face of this threat, bad language or LRADs do not work. Pirates only understand the language of superior firepower. –Matt
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Maersk-Alabama Repels Suspected Pirate Attack
November 18, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASERelease #195-09
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nathan Schaeffer
MANAMA, Bahrain – Motor Vessel (M/V) Maersk-Alabama came under attack from suspected pirates today at 6:30 a.m. local time while transiting 560 nautical miles off the northeast coast of Somalia.
Four suspected pirates in a skiff came within 300 yards of M/V Maersk-Alabama and used small arms weapons in an attempt to board the ship.
The security team embarked aboard Maersk-Alabama responded to the attack by using evasive maneuvers, Long-Range Acoustic Devices (LRADs) and small arms fire, causing the suspected pirates to break off their attack.
“Due to Maersk Alabama following maritime industry’s best-practices such as embarking security teams, the ship was able to prevent being successfully attacked by pirates,” said Vice Adm. Bill Gortney, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command. “This is a great example of how merchant mariners can take pro-active action to prevent being attacked and why we recommend that ships follow industry best practices if they’re in high-risk areas.”
No injuries or damage were reported aboard M/V Maersk-Alabama.
M/V Maersk-Alabama is proceeding to the ship’s initial destination of Mombasa, Kenya.
Suspected Somali pirates briefly seized M/V Maersk-Alabama off the coast of Somalia on April 8 and held the ship’s skipper, Capt. Richard Phillips, hostage for five days on a skiff. U.S. naval forces rescued Phillips on April 12, killing three suspected pirates and taking one into custody.
Story link here.
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Vice Adm. Bill Gortney of the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, said the Maersk Alabama had followed the maritime industry’s “best practices” in having a security team on board.
“This is a great example of how merchant mariners can take proactive action to prevent being attacked and why we recommend that ships follow industry best practices if they’re in high-risk areas,” Gortney said in a statement.
However, Roger Middleton, a piracy expert at the London-based think tank Chatham House, said the international maritime community was still “solidly against” armed guards aboard vessels at sea, but that American ships have taken a different line than the rest of the international community.
Read the rest here.