Thursday, December 1, 2011
Publications: Journal Of International Peace Operations, November-December 2011
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Friday, November 25, 2011
Maritime Security: Greece To Allow Armed Guards On Cargo Ships Against Piracy
Good. It’s nice to finally see these countries wake up when it comes to what works. If armed guards on boats works, then a country needs to re-evaluate their view on the monopoly on the use of force and do what makes sense. Especially if a government has limited funds necessary to raise a navy to protect all of it’s flagged vessels and battle piracy.
So I wonder what country will change their position on armed guards on boats next? –Matt
Greece to allow armed guards on cargo ships against piracy
November 26, 2011
GREECE will let its large commercial fleet employ armed guards to ward against a surge in pirate attacks, the ministry in charge of security said, satisfying a long-standing shipowner demand.
“To improve safe sailing and crew safety aboard Greek ships crossing seas with increased piracy cases, an initiative has been taken to draft legislation for the embarkation of armed individuals on commercial ships,” the ministry said.
The legislation will enable the hiring of a minimum of six guards per ship on six-month contracts that can be renewed, a ministry source said.
The new arrangement will mainly apply to Greek-flagged ships but could be extended to vessels sailing through Greek waters, the source told AFP.
This modification will enable Greek-owned ships flying flags of convenience – around 500 vessels according to the union of Greek captains – to also be eligible.
Greek authorities had initially resisted shipowner calls to beef up security, a move opposed by crews fearing the presence of armed guards will ultimately only result in pirates switching to heavier weaponry to secure their prize.
“This measure threatens to set off an arms race with the pirates,” said George Tsouris, the head secretary of the Greek captains’ union, who has himself fallen victim to pirates on his voyages.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Maritime Security: SeaHold GEOSHIPS Subsidiary Wins Contract For Anti-Piracy Vessel
“This is an exciting contract for us and vessel protection is an area of increasing concern. The escort vessel offers 24/7 protection to commercial vessels passing through high risk areas.
“It can establish the intent of crafts in the vicinity of the commercial vessel and intercept if needed. This safety cordon around the client vessel helps to protect it from potential criminal activity.” -BSL, managing director, Rennie Cameron
Congrats to all of the parties involved with this contract. Hopefully these vessels do the trick for escort work? The other part of this deal is what they have planned for the future.
Plans are already in place to consider expanding with BSL as ship managers, to four or five vessels in 2012, which would lead to a turnover of around £7.5 to £9.5million per annum.
Now I have yet to hear any recent news about JLT’s private navy deal, but it looks like these guys are certainly spinning up their own little armada and pressing forward? –Matt
SeaHold GEOSHIPS subsidiary wins contract for anti-piracy vessel
November 22, 2011
SeaHold GEOSHIPS Ltd’s subsidiary company Brooking Shipping Limited (BSL), has been awarded a contract for an ‘escort vessel’ which is anticipated to generate £1.9 million each year.
This is the first contract BSL has been awarded since being acquired by the shipping and marine contractor, GEOSHIPS.
BSL, the marine division of GEOSHIPS, has been appointed the escort vessel contract by Mercator International Limited, for the technical and crew management of the new build 36m vessel, Express Opportune, a fast support intervention vessel capable of 25 knots and specifically prepared for the anti-piracy role.
BSL took delivery of the vessel in Singapore and the contract is initially for six months with automatic extensions. The work will primarily be in support of commercial ships transiting the Arabian Gulf and East Africa areas.
Escort vessels act as a visible threat deterrent and enforce an exclusion zone around a commercial vessel. They also provide specialist security teams trained in the use of fast intercept craft and counter boarding operations.
For the initial six months, the value of the contract to the company is worth over £1million and a Letter of Intent has been received for a second escort vessel to operate in similar geographical regions.
GEOSHIPS, group chief financial officer, Neil Donald, said: “I am delighted that Brooklyn Shipping Ltd has secured its first contract under the GEOSHIPS umbrella and is diversifying its skills out with the oil and gas industry.
“Entering into this contract reinforces the firm’s continued commitment to optimising safety for crews. This type of vessel allows operators to take advantage of business in new areas that were previously considered too high risk to enter.”
BSL, managing director, Rennie Cameron, said: “This is an exciting contract for us and vessel protection is an area of increasing concern. The escort vessel offers 24/7 protection to commercial vessels passing through high risk areas.
“It can establish the intent of crafts in the vicinity of the commercial vessel and intercept if needed. This safety cordon around the client vessel helps to protect it from potential criminal activity.”
Plans are already in place to consider expanding with BSL as ship managers, to four or five vessels in 2012, which would lead to a turnover of around £7.5 to £9.5million per annum.
GEOSHIPS current fleet of three multi-purpose offshore vessels includes its first vessel Stril Explorer, which was taken on an 18 month charter earlier this year, and two new vessels, Loch Erisort and Loch Roag, which are on long term charters and will be delivered during 2012.
Story here.—————————————————————
ESCORT VESSELS
Escorts can be provided for vessels transiting high risk areas or those engaged in specialist operations such as cable laying, rig moves and surveying. Escorts can be a platform for accommodation, maintenance and as a base for protection. The advantage of an escort vessel is the ability to intercept and determine the intent of approaching craft. This creates a cordon around the client vessel enabling it to operate safe from the risk of attack. It can also provide an early warning of benign craft such as fishing vessels and nets. Potential threats can be identified early and with the vessels clearly visable protection and trained security personnel onboardis often itself an effective deterrent against piracy and criminal activity.
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Friday, November 18, 2011
Monday, November 14, 2011
Film: Paul Greengrass Directs And Tom Hanks To Star In Maersk Alabama Piracy Drama
“I am sure whoever plays me will do fine, but front-runners could be Danny DeVito or Queen Latifah,” he said.-Captain Richards said in interview.
This is cool and hopefully this makes it all the way into the can and onto the big screen. It should make it with all of the players involved, but you never know. From the little bits I am hearing, the crew is heading to New Orleans to film, and they have been looking for Somalis to play pirates in the movie. No word on when this thing will come out, and I will let you know when the trailer comes out. –Matt
Edit: 11/18/2011- I forgot to mention that this is not the first group to look at producing and filming this thing. Kevin Spacey expressed interest back when this first came out.
Paul Greengrass Offered Somali Pirate Pic By Sony Pictures, Talks Starting
By MIKE FLEMING
Wednesday June 8, 2011
UPDATE: I’ve learned that Memphis won’t be an impediment to Paul Greengrass directing this Somali pirate movie, so I expect this to move quickly and that this will be the director’s next film.
EARLIER: Director Paul Greengrass and Sony Pictures have moved a step closer to the filmmaker coming aboard to steer the Sony Pictures’ Somali pirate drama to star Tom Hanks as Captain Richard Phillips. Greengrass was among a short list of directors for the gig but I’m told Sony Pictures has just offered him the picture and talks are about to begin. Phillips was the skipper of the cargo ship Maersk Alabama who gave himself up as a hostage to Somali pirates to keep his crew from having to leave the ship with them. After three days of being held hostage alone with the armed pirates in a small lifeboat, Phillips was saved by Navy SEALs who staged a dramatic rescue that left the captain unharmed, three captors dead and another in custody. The film is based on Phillips’ memoir A Captain’s Duty: Somali Pirates, Navy SEALs, and Dangerous Days at Sea, which was published last year by Hyperion. Sony Pictures’ The Social Network team of Scott Rudin, Michael De Luca, Dana Brunetti and Kevin Spacey are producing. Hanks signed on in March after sparking to a script written by Billy Ray. Elizabeth Cantillon is supervising for Sony Pictures.
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