UN body to use Piracy theme for World Maritime Day

by Des Ryan on 16 Aug 2010 While the good news was that there were no recorded piracy incidents against yachts this last 'pirate season', the even better news was that the International Maritime Organisation, the United Nations' specialized agency responsible for improving maritime safety and preventing pollution from ships, has approved the theme for World Maritime Day 2011 as Piracy: Orchestrating the Response

Much publicity is given to the awful plight of merchant seamen held hostage while their companies scrabble to pay their ransoms, and to the two cruising sailors still held hostage since 2009, but little attention is paid to the marginal effects of the fear of piracy in other quarters.

The Seychelles, once a prized stop on the routes of those cruising the Indian Ocean, is now greatly avoided by cruising sailors. Then there's Kenya, destinations that used to see visiting yachts - Kilifi creek with the attraction of Hemingway's in Watamu, Lamu in the North or Pemba in the south, not to mention Tanga in Tanzania.

If the general threat of piracy in the western Indian Ocean can be solved, it will again open these wonderful cruising grounds to all wandering sailors.

The theme Piracy: Orchestrating the Response, to be held on 22nd September, 2011, links to the Year of the Seafarer, in that it will directly address the impact of piracy and armed robbery against ships on seafarers and their families, and seek to eradicate the root causes of piracy in Somalia.

IMO said possible activities aimed at addressing a number of objectives being included in an action plan for the year, such as an increase pressure at the political level including at the UN Security Council to bring about a solution to the Somali problem and facilitate and expedite the release of hostages.

Calling the world’s attention to the unacceptable plight of all those being held by pirates ‘ seafarers by creating a worldwide demand for action to set them free would be part of the objective.

The IMO would aslo strengthen the protection of persons and ships sailing though piracy-infested areas by constantly improving guidance to the industry; promoting even greater levels of support from navies; and providing care for those attacked or hijacked by pirates and support to their families.

Ships would also be assured on how to access the available naval protection, and that they are implementing the recommended preventative, evasive and defensive measures effectively;
IMO would also promote co-operation between and among states, regions and organizations in reducing the risk of attacks on ships through information-sharing; coordination of military and civil efforts; and regional initiatives, such as the Djibouti Code of Conduct; and build up the capacity of affected states to deter, interdict and bring to justice those who commit acts of piracy and armed robbery against ships, thereby enhancing maritime law enforcement and the safety of life at sea.

The industry and IMO would help tackle the root causes of piracy through the provision of assistance to states for the development of their maritime capacities and the protection of their maritime resources.

IMO and industry representatives had agreed on the need to ensure ship operators and personnel be aware of the existing guidance on preventing piracy attacks and how to deal with an attack once it occurred.