Consultants guide to Ship Anti Piracy work in GoA

" Which the beginning of the control of the PSC's & PMC's in EU "

Will not happen during my lifetime.
Maybe after 2050.
I will bet a fine bottle of Scotch Single Malt, any takers?

( This will be in the same category as - " EU weapons permit ", When the pigs start to fly! ):rolleyes:

KURT
 
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Good evening from my location to the forum , and thank you for your very interesting observations , all generally true and well presented.
I understand MARSEC are hosting an event with and alongside NATO/NURC/USCG/OCIMF/UKMTO US 6th fleet reps called 'Action Stations'
[url]www.actionstations.org[/URL] on the 10th and 11th of Feb 2011...? can anyone clarify the situation and confirm who the organizers are? , i am led to believe MRM
(Capt John Dalby) is pitching it.
As i believe, the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard are accomodating .
To reafirm some of the comments made on the forum.. I get the impression that politics are the rule of thumb and that the 'one with the longest stick who draws blood first', wins.. is not really a valid or worthwhile subject due to the agressivness it incurrs, am i mistaken?
I have been operational in Africa , done some time down on the west coast , been busy with the Spanish fishing fleet operating out of the Seychelles under their flag of conveniance and also Suez/GOA Indian Ocean Mombassa routes, which hopefully permits me the comment i made above to be publicised on the forum with the MOD's permission.
I also remember TYCOS cable laying contact and the problems they had with a 'PSC' who got 'left behind' due to insatisfactory vias requirements,... and promptly got 'sea-jacked' whilst 'naked'. I bring this up because i also have had experiences where foriegn ports documentation had been 'unrecognised' and the sweet smell of €/$'s has been the only 'documentation' allowed..
I am of the opinion that the only way to combat the piracy situation is by superior firepower and training, forward inteligence, agressive posture, elimination of the threat once engaged and also reprisals against known warlords to deter the recurrance against known shipping companies, flags, or cargos.
Presently there has been about €50,000,000.00 paid in ransoms to the pirates , they then reinvest.. we should not make any mistake about this.. they are actively sourcing javelin's and depleted uranium ammunition, they also have a plan to 'capture' a cruise ship with 3000+ aboard as well and or a LPG transport to vent her once in a pre selected port for the medias attention , and if its got anything to do with the Magrebi branch of Al Queda, the targets will be Gib Lisbon,or the Spanish enclaves in the North of Africa..
There are underlying currents hard at work in todays polarization of Christanity and Islam, and it need financing...
 
Now wouldnt this be a great business idea..( easy reading and looking for investors.)

Good day to all of the forum , good morning to the MOD, and hope this light venue proposal will bring some smiles, some ideas, and maybe a couple of you out there would be interested in contacting me to ascertain or study viabilities due to the fact that we are all getting poorer defending the faith, whilst others are driving Merc's Astons and Bently's..in the sand.

Special cruise 2009 offer for adventurous travelers.

'Troubleshooter' inc. Offer a Somali cruise package that departs from Sawakin (in the Sudan ) and docks at Bagamoya (in Tanzania ).
The cost is $800 per person double occupancy. What we want to offer is a cruise to encourage people to bring their 'High powered weapons' along on the cruise.

If you don't have weapons you can rent them right here on the boat, and we have a blacksmith on board for those who require it. We will also have reloading personnel every afternoon.​
​
The cruise lasts from 4-8 days and nights and costs a maximum of $3200 per person double occupancy (4 days). All the boat does is sail the coast of Somalia and wait to get hijacked.

Here are some of the costs associated with the package:

$800.00 US/per day double occupancy (4 day max billing)

M-16 full auto rental $25.00/day - ammo at 100 rounds of 5.56 armour piercing ammo at $15.95

Ak-47 rifle @ No charge - ammo at 100 rounds of 7.62 com block ball ammo at $14.95

Barrett M-107 .50 cal sniper rifle rental $55.00/day - ammo at 25 rounds 50 cal armour piercing at $9.95

​
Crew members can double as spotters for 30.00 per hour (spotting scope included).
we also offer RPG at $350 per day and $200 per 3 loads

"Everyone gets use of free complimentary night vision equipment and coffee and snacks on the top deck from 7pm-6am ."

Meals are included.

Most cruises offer a mini-bar.



"MOUNTED MINIGUN AVAILABLE @ $450.00 per 30 seconds of sustained fire"


"We guarantee that you will experience at least two hijacking attempts by pirates or we will refund half your money back including gun rental charges and any unused ammo ( mini gun charges not included)..

How can we guarantee you will experience a hijacking?

We operate at 5 knots within 12 miles of the coast of Somalia . If an attempted Hijacking does not occur we will turn the boat around and cruise by at 4 knots.

We will repeat this for up to 8 days making three passes a day along the entire length of Somalia .

At night the boat is fully lit and bottle rockets are shot off at intervals and loud disco music beamed shore side to attract attention. Cabin space is limited so respond quickly. Reserve your package before April 29th and get 100 rounds of free tracer ammo in the calibre of your choice."

Here we offer some testimonials

I got three confirmed kills on my last trip. I'LL never hunt big game in Africa again. I felt like the Komandant in Schindlers list!"----

Lars , Hamburg Germany

"Six attacks in 4 days was more than I expected. I bagged three pirates and my 12yr old son sank two rowboats with the minigun. PIRATES 0 -PASSENGERS-32! Well worth the trip. Just make sure your spotter speaks English"

Ned, Salt Lake city , Utah USA

I haven't had this much fun since flying choppers in NAM . Don't worry about getting shot by pirates as they never even got close to the ship with those weapons they use and their shitty aim--reminds me of a drunken 'juicer' door gunner we picked up from the motor pool back in Nam" ?

"chopper' Dan ---- Toledo USA .



"Like ducks in a barrel. They turned the ship around and we saw them bleed and cry in the water like little girls. Saw one wounded pirate eaten by sharks--what a laugh riot!! This is a must do.---

Zeke-Minnahaw Springs Kentucky USA


Now.. the question is: is this a viable project and what could a serious group of merc's be able to do?






 
troubleshooter said:
Good evening from my location to the forum , and thank you for your very interesting observations , all generally true and well presented.
I understand MARSEC are hosting an event with and alongside NATO/NURC/USCG/OCIMF/UKMTO US 6th fleet reps called 'Action Stations'
http://www.actionstations.orgwww.actionstations.org on the 10th and 11th of Feb 2011...? can anyone clarify the situation and confirm who the organizers are? , i am led to believe MRM
(Capt John Dalby) is pitching it.
As i believe, the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard are accomodating .
To reafirm some of the comments made on the forum.. I get the impression that politics are the rule of thumb and that the 'one with the longest stick who draws blood first', wins.. is not really a valid or worthwhile subject due to the agressivness it incurrs, am i mistaken?
I have been operational in Africa , done some time down on the west coast , been busy with the Spanish fishing fleet operating out of the Seychelles under their flag of conveniance and also Suez/GOA Indian Ocean Mombassa routes, which hopefully permits me the comment i made above to be publicised on the forum with the MOD's permission.
I also remember TYCOS cable laying contact and the problems they had with a 'PSC' who got 'left behind' due to insatisfactory vias requirements,... and promptly got 'sea-jacked' whilst 'naked'. I bring this up because i also have had experiences where foriegn ports documentation had been 'unrecognised' and the sweet smell of €/$'s has been the only 'documentation' allowed..
I am of the opinion that the only way to combat the piracy situation is by superior firepower and training, forward inteligence, agressive posture, elimination of the threat once engaged and also reprisals against known warlords to deter the recurrance against known shipping companies, flags, or cargos.
Presently there has been about €50,000,000.00 paid in ransoms to the pirates , they then reinvest.. we should not make any mistake about this.. they are actively sourcing javelin's and depleted uranium ammunition, they also have a plan to 'capture' a cruise ship with 3000+ aboard as well and or a LPG transport to vent her once in a pre selected port for the medias attention , and if its got anything to do with the Magrebi branch of Al Queda, the targets will be Gib Lisbon,or the Spanish enclaves in the North of Africa..
There are underlying currents hard at work in todays polarization of Christanity and Islam, and it need financing...
Click to expand...

"Action Stations" is being put together by MRM for more info please visit their website. Home | Marinerisk
MARSEC/NATO/NURC/USCG/OCIMF/UKMTO US 6th fleet reps have nothing to do with the organisation of this event.
MARITIME SECURITY CONFERENCE

10th &11th February 2011

Action Stations -
Maritime Security for Professionals
Over the past few years there has been an upsurge in so-called Maritime Security Conferences – largely organised by highly professional conference organisers. Some have been more successful than others. However, what has become apparent to those of us in the Professional Maritime Security (MarSec) industry is that there is very little to distinguish one from the other. Indeed, they all – almost without exception – share two common failings​

* They are organised by companies that excel at organising conferences on many different topics without specialist knowledge of any of them
* At the same time they invite the same key speakers, or categories of speakers everytime - thus making one indistinguishable from the other.
This Conference has been created to address this imbalance and is aimed at the Professional MarSec industry and those who are genuinely interested in supporting embattled shipowners, insurers and above all crews.


Regards





 
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" Now.. the question is: is this a viable project and what could a serious group of merc's be able to do? "


It is a joke.
A serious group of merc's would get themself in serious trouble, that's for sure!

A group of merc's without a valid mandate would be just like the pirates in any court of law.
That's a fact, you like it or not.
 
Good evening to the forum and all the participants.

I would appreciate it if 'escondido' could drop me a contact point or let me know his present location regarding possible co-operation in a couple of ongoing ideas and contracts i am presently negotiating.
Escondido , puedo preguntar si usted es un Espanol nacional o extranjero?, mi razon es para confirmar su capacidad en Espana de asistir en algunos asuntos.
Un saludo cordial.
Troubleshooter.
 
Kurt.
Hi.

Do you have any knowledge of the discussions under way in Europe concerning 'letters of Marque' as there had been quite a lot of email airway traffic by Matt of Feral jundi last month.
I am unsure as to whether it is a viable option and my question is:
' Can any soveriegn territory make up or request these documents to hunt down or protect their fleets? , and will they be legal licenses to operate under?'

Regards

Troubleshooter.
 
"Do you have any knowledge of the discussions under way in Europe concerning 'letters of Marque' as there had been quite a lot of email airway traffic by Matt of Feral jundi last month "

- I think this is not a viable option in EU. I can't see it happening. Have not heard about any serious conversations on any forum that would carry any weight.

' Can any soveriegn territory make up or request these documents to hunt down or protect their fleets? , and will they be legal licenses to operate under?'

- International Maritime Law has already in place a law that would allow them to use up to deadly force to protect their vessel & crew from pirates, terrorists etc.

- Only the territory ( country ) that the pirates operate in has a clear right to HUNT down the pirates, terrorists etc. ( right to protect their water and border )

- I can't see UN or any other similar body coming up with a mandate to HUNT down the pirates

Hope this is to any help.
Disclaimer: just my 02. cents worth

KURT
 
Nick.
Hi..
Thank you for the great information supplied for the operational requirements to work within the correct framework and maritime law.
I would like to ask your permission to print your comments as they will assist me in informing contracting companies when dealing with them of how to avoid non professional companies from jepordising contracts and allow me to correctly inform them to whom they should be addressing their requests to.
Personally i and our company have been operational in this field but will acknowledge that we lacked some of the fundamental documentation you kindly pointed out.

Kind regards and will awit your written permision.

Troubleshooter'
 
Kurt.
Thanks for your reply and my apologies for not having acknowleged it earlier.
I am interested in the debate as to whether LoM ( letters of Marque ) will have a mandate as it seems a possible solution to a legal requirement for armed convoy security almost as a 'man of war' escort to the high risk VLCC's running the hostile water passages.
I can foresee a time where it will be finacially more viable to a petrochemical company or other such like to have a deparment solely and exclusivley dedicated to ensuring the safe arrival of the cargo, and physically anouncing it by advertising its intentions via private documents from both supply and delivery ports , ie both countries permitting in territorial waters the shadowing by a fully armed anti piracy defence vessel capable of hunting down on the high seas and erradicating ' threats' to the companies cargos.
Letters of Marque at one time was the permission required to 'clear' the area and create a safe passage or corridor..
Its an interesting subject and may even work , even just for a year...

T/S
 
Letters of Marque were banned for European nations by Treaty back in the 1800s although intriguingly they are preserved by the US Constitution in the US where in theory they remain lawful. There has been the odd move in this direction by marsec companies in the US lobbying senators like Senator Paul.

LoM gave rights to privateers to hunt out pirates and to capture their ships and property to be sold in prize courts. I appreciate that that is not what this is about but the real question is whether the international community (or the US if it went down this route alone) wants to sanction private companies being given a wider mandate to be pro active in this area. What is it that you would want the private companies to do? Mount sea borne operations against the pirates at sea? Ashore? That in legal terms would be to sanction companies to operate outside the law as it would apply to everyone else including the military. I cant see it happening....there is concern enough about accountability.
 
Acropolis said:
Letters of Marque were banned for European nations by Treaty back in the 1800s although intriguingly they are preserved by the US Constitution in the US where in theory they remain lawful. There has been the odd move in this direction by marsec companies in the US lobbying senators like Senator Paul.

LoM gave rights to privateers to hunt out pirates and to capture their ships and property to be sold in prize courts. I appreciate that that is not what this is about but the real question is whether the international community (or the US if it went down this route alone) wants to sanction private companies being given a wider mandate to be pro active in this area. What is it that you would want the private companies to do? Mount sea borne operations against the pirates at sea? Ashore? That in legal terms would be to sanction companies to operate outside the law as it would apply to everyone else including the military. I cant see it happening....there is concern enough about accountability.
Click to expand...

I agree with your post.
I just can't see it happening.
I don't see any governing body pushing hard to give private companies any wider mandates than they already have.

Also there are too many countries around GOA that will GAIN from the increased pirate activity in the area.

Don't forget, ALL of the pirates in the area are of particular religion.
We don't want it to look like we are at war against THEM.:rolleyes:

I think this is a MAJOR factor.
 
Acropolis said:
Letters of Marque were banned for European nations by Treaty back in the 1800s although intriguingly they are preserved by the US Constitution in the US where in theory they remain lawful. There has been the odd move in this direction by marsec companies in the US lobbying senators like Senator Paul.
Click to expand...

Acropolis,
I believe letters of marque were only banned by the European countries that were signatories of the Treaty of Paris of 1856 ending the Crimean War. At roughly the same time, they signed the Paris Declaration Respecting Maritime Law.
In the case of the U.S. Constitution, it is true that letters of marque are a right of Congress, but the U.S. signed the Hague Convention in 1907 effectively abolishing privateering. Signing this treaty has the effect of law in the U.S.
 
Gentlemen.. great info. Thanks to you all.

I now beg to ask the question.. Could a few of us lobby the EEC in Strazbourg to propose a LoM style permission for a private entity to take charge of the criteria and ROE that would enable an 'asset recovery'?
I feel that with the correct approach via representation to the security council we could put forward a case for the rescripting of the documents to allow vessels under sovereign flags to publically announce their intentions to protect the 'corridors' via dedicated offensive operations paid by the EEC and not burden individual companies with the costs.
What if there was a fee payed for the capture of pirate vessels and their crews? , almost like a bounty' that was used to fund the costs of the support vessels.., the individual petrochemical/VLCC companies could contract the services of a dedicated platform , fund the fuel costs, and let the personel be payed by the EEC, after all it is in the interests of all that the cargo gets through and the crews return home safely ,.. bounties being payed on the capture of pirates and presented to an EEC base for processing.. paying say $300 per capture.
Being paid is an incentive and it is time to turn the tables on the piracy issue and let the hunters become the hunted.. and to know it.
...just my personal thoughts, and possibly a little naive , but would appreciate any of you all correcting me and any criticisms that i may learn from would be well received.

Regards to all.

T/S Darrell.
 
troubleshooter said:
Gentlemen.. great info. Thanks to you all.

I now beg to ask the question.. Could a few of us lobby the EEC in Strazbourg to propose a LoM style permission for a private entity to take charge of the criteria and ROE that would enable an 'asset recovery'?
I feel that with the correct approach via representation to the security council we could put forward a case for the rescripting of the documents to allow vessels under sovereign flags to publically announce their intentions to protect the 'corridors' via dedicated offensive operations paid by the EEC and not burden individual companies with the costs.
What if there was a fee payed for the capture of pirate vessels and their crews? , almost like a bounty' that was used to fund the costs of the support vessels.., the individual petrochemical/VLCC companies could contract the services of a dedicated platform , fund the fuel costs, and let the personel be payed by the EEC, after all it is in the interests of all that the cargo gets through and the crews return home safely ,.. bounties being payed on the capture of pirates and presented to an EEC base for processing.. paying say $300 per capture.
Being paid is an incentive and it is time to turn the tables on the piracy issue and let the hunters become the hunted.. and to know it.
...just my personal thoughts, and possibly a little naive , but would appreciate any of you all correcting me and any criticisms that i may learn from would be well received.

Regards to all.

T/S Darrell.
Click to expand...

Nobody would be willing to pay any bounty.
Reason: No EU-Country want them to THEIR court. THEM ( read TAX PAYERS ) to PAY Lawyers for the Pirates, getting them a fair trail. FEEDING and HOUSING them for FREE. If convicted, FEED and HOUSE them for some 10 yrs?

Mandate to hunt Pirates? Not in EU. We are too Pussified continent.
We cant even keep the $%^& Radical Islamists out of EU!

Pirates are like the Romanian Gypsies, nobody wants them, nobody is ready to kick their butt back where they belong.

Your idea is good, just that people in general are not ready for it ( never will be ).
 
Hi Lads

Am ex RM also you will need Yellow fever cert and get yourselves vaccinated for Hep A, Hep B (which is 3 jabs over a 21 day period!) Typhoid to. Total cost for this is around £140, seamans card around £80
 
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