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Combatting Piracy:. |
Under the aegis of the Indian Seafarers Federation (ISF), the National Union of Seafarers of India (NUSI) and the Maritime Union of India (MUI) organized a one-day seminar on “Piracy and Armed Robbery” on 7th April, 2010. Capt. M. M. Saggi, Nautical Advisor, Government of India inaugurated the seminar. The two key speakers were Capt. H. Khatri, Dy. Director General of Shipping, who spoke on the “Role of the Maritime Administration” and Mr. Jim Mainstone, UK based Security Expert, spoke on the topic “The threat from piracy and current trends” and “How to reduce ship vulnerability”.
More than 104 participants representing 75 Indian and foreign flag companies participated in the seminar.
The following is the gist of the interactive session:-
Some of the suggestions or action points needs to be taken up by the social partners and the Maritime Administration and some by the Government of India.
The action to be taken up by the social partners and the Maritime Administration are as follows:-
1. An anti-piracy course to be developed. Taking the views of the Naval Authorities in developing the course will add the required expertise to the course. The contents of the course should be standardized and the same should be made available to be conducted through in-house company systems, training institutes etc.
2. A CD on anti-piracy measures should be made available during the briefing of seafarers when they join the ships and also during onboard company training modules.
3. The issue of manning was also discussed. In this connection we are enclosing herewith the IMO resolution on Principles of Safe Manning, wherein it is very clear that while many aspects needs to be taken into consideration in the finalization of the safe manning, one of the key aspects is to look into the need to undertake emergency duties and responsibilities. It was pointed out during the seminar that in some cases of pirate attacks the seafarer onboard the ship came to know only after the pirates were already in the bridge house. This was due to inadequate manning which restricted the watch. So it was stressed by the group that manning levels should be adequate enough and not just safe manning but also operational to take care of the emergency situations including piracy.
4. The ISPS code should be further strengthened to cover the aspect of piracy also.
5. In case a ship is taken over by the pirates in which there are Indian seafarers the social partners i.e. the shipowners and the seafarers unions expect more support from the Government of India. The support should also include putting pressure on the flag state of the ship etc. |
6. The Maritime Administration should also be more vocal and forceful with the Government of India in seeking support for combating the menace of piracy.
7. The co-ordinates of the Naval patrol should also be available to everybody and not only to the memberlines of INSA, MASSA and FOSMA.
8. During the hijack situation the company, the seafarers unions and the Maritime Administration should interact with the families to provide moral support and also counsel them. Financial assistance should be made available to the families of the seafarers by the company.
9. After undergoing the traumatic experience when the seafarers come back there needs to be procedures for;
i) Systematic help which should include medical and
psychiatric counseling. This should not be a cosmetic exercise f one or two sessions but more elaborate. Individual cases need to be reviewed and followed up periodically
ii) The services of the DG approved Doctors can also be used for this purpose.
iii) Companies should be encouraged to give extra financial incentives to the hijacked seafarers.
iv) The companies should provide jobs to the hijacked seafarers on priority after exhaustive proper counseling and medical help.
10. A twenty-four hour helpline service should be made available in India. The helpline number should be publicized extensively so that Indian seafarers can contact to seek guidance on issues related to piracy.
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The action to be taken up by the Ministry of Shipping and the Government of India.
1. It was a general view that the Government of India is really concerned about the issue of piracy. The involvement of Indian Navy has given the necessary support to Indian seafarers in the Gulf of Aden. The Indian Navy has shown leadership on many occasions and is the most sought after convoy by the ships of different flags.
But it also maintained that the tanker crew chiefs failed to act promptly to minimize the spillage. No date has been set for the Supreme Court hearing.
2. More needs to be done and more Indian Naval ships needs to be deployed in the pirate-infested region.
3. It was the view of the seminar that while countries are having the Naval patrol and are doing their own bits in isolation, the practical and long-term solution is only through the unified command of the United Nations. The Government of India should emphasize this aspect and strongly advocate for patrolling under the United Nations mandate.
4. For seeking a unified approach the Indian Government should take the support of the major seafarers labour supplying countries like Philippines, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Ukraine, China, Croatia etc.
5. The United Nations should also look into possibilities of effectively administering “No Sail Zones” in the borders of Somalia.
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6. Coast Guards of the respective countries should also be approached.
7. International efforts on legalities of prosecution should also be strengthened in dealing with arrested pirates so that the whole anti-piracy exercise should not become a farce.
National Union of Seafarers of India (NUSI) and the Maritime Union of India (MUI) took the initiative in organizing the well attended industry seminar on piracy in the interest of seafarers in particular and Indian shipping in general. The very fact that the Hon. Prime Minister of India, Hon. Governor of Maharashtra and the Hon. Minister of Shipping were concerned about the issue of piracy in Somalia reflects the seriousness of their intent in combating the menace of piracy. Given the concerns of Government of India about the issues, the participants were of the firm view that the Government of India should also be informed about the gist of the seminar in New Delhi.
We are sanguine that the Directorate General of Shipping will take into account the deliberations, suggestions and action required in the interest of the Indian shipping.
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In response to above mentioned coverage, the Jobships.com users from all over the world responded quickly and criticized the South Korean Court orders and demanded a quick a decisive action by Indian Government and also suggested ways to pressurize the South Korean Government. (Click here to read the article and comments by users).
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| Posted on 17 th January 2009 |
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Check out what our Readers have to say on this Article.
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Shipping Oil Companies which is making millions should contribute to a fund which gives money to military personnel and war ships which is patrolling in the GOA area.By this way they can request one or two navy countries which is most responsible to protect the shipping industry in GOA.
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abhisan2000@gmail.com
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August 22, 2010
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written procedure for handling the pirate attack should be added in sms and security plan. and also there should a muster list in the event of attack. equipment should be fitted at the ship side to injure the pirates. ships railings should modified to avoid pirates claiming.
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rajucapt@yahoo.com
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August 11, 2010
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Conducting seminars & taking views of surveyors of Govt of India will not provide concrete solution for such serious problem. surveyors are defined as "People who dont have confidence to sail" & by sitting in conference room they cannot visualize situation we face at sea.
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ciya_10278@yahoo.com
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August 05, 2010
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Waste of time for seafarers ands pots of money for institutes.
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pick22zap@yahoo.com
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August 03, 2010
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Cnducting seminars will not give solution to piracy attacks. Its just a waste of time and money where different people come together with intention to have good tome, increase paper work and increase burden on examination candidates. At the end of the seminar they are back to square one.
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kamat_jv@yahoo.co.in
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July 28, 2010
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this is just white wash, better to do some thing positive about this like providing one soldier with machine gun to pass the affected area or organised monitoring by the Navy or Coast Guard.
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sr.dilip@gmail.com
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July 18, 2010
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Everyone should start exercising their right to REFUSE to go to war zone areas, and DEMAND their relief prior to a GoA transit... that will make ship owners start taking our lives seriously. People, start reading your contracts... the CBA states that the employer HAS to give u the choice to offsign.
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jaspal.oberoi@gmail.com
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July 17, 2010
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Good old days of shipping are over. now only paper work, discussions,seminars,courses with increased tensions and low output
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rca492@yahoo.com
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July 10, 2010
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all crap....nothing much will happen....yes we indians will surely increase our paperwork for our security.
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raghupanchkaran@gmail.com
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July 08, 2010
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Its a good idea to impart antipiracy training to seafarers, but solely depending on the seafarers will not solve the problem,instead providing security guards only for the antipiracy duties may solve the problem(Prevention is better than cure)
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nmgbivera@yahoo.co.in
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June 24, 2010
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In the very interest and safety of seafarers,provision of security personals by the company, on board, whenever ships transit these pirates infested areas,will be the best solution.
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karkala_k@yahoo.co.in
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June 10, 2010
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the concerned government should take some action.
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sailorpama69@yahoo.com
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June 04, 2010
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Whilst we pursue govt.and other agencies for suitable anti-piracy measures,self help is the best help.Armed guards need to be embarked by all ships prior entering pirate infested areas.
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iksaluja2002@yahoo.com
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May 15, 2010
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afterall seaafers have to fight against LMGs,SMGs,RPGs, with the fire hose and cargo claster, isnt it?
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hilton_love_1984@yahoo.com
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May 13, 2010
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good idea to minimise the risk.put govt also in this picture.
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kbina@redifffmail.com
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May 10, 2010
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already flourishing institutional industries can nourish along with some hidden beneficiaries and already burdend seamen can drain their pockets further and they get a certififate to fight armed pirates with bare hands. GOD SAVE THE SEAMEN !
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rajannm@hotmail.com
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May 04, 2010
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what we as seafarers need is armed guards atleast 3-4 onboard whilst the vessel is in pirate infested waters, if the companies cant afford i think each seafarer can contribute their one days wages to pay for these guards.
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atuldutt@sify.com
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May 02, 2010
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not discuss how to minimize this issue,just overcome that is not much imp.company must be involved if any incide take place and give money without any doubt
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sanjeevchoudhry@rediffmail.com
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May 02, 2010
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what are you trying to explain,that you fight with hammers and crowbars against LMGs,SMGs,RPGs - its a great idea indeed!
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neerajsanyal@hotmail.com
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April 23, 2010
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