Resources of the Week: Modern-Day Piracy
By Shirl Kennedy, Senior Editor
No, we're not talking about downloading "illegal" media. We're talking about piracy on the high seas -- something that has lately bubbled to the surface in the news media. 2008 has been a good year for pirates, judging by this Live Piracy Map from UK-based ICC Commercial Crime Services (CCS), the anti-crime arm of the International Chamber of Commerce.
This map shows all the piracy and armed robbery incidents reported to the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre during 2008. If exact coordinates are not provided, estimated positions are shown based on information provided. Zoom-in and click on the pointers to view more information of an individual attack. Pointers may be superimposed on each other.
IMB stands for International Maritime Bureau, "a specialised division of the International Chamber Of Commerce...established in 1981 to act as a focal point in the fight against all types of maritime crime and malpractice." The IMB's Piracy Reporting Center is an excellent place to read up on the problem.
Before 1992, shipmasters and ship operators had nowhere to turn to when their ships were attacked, robbed or hijacked either in port or out at sea. Local law enforcement either turned a deaf ear, or chose to ignore that there was a serious problem in their waters.
The International Maritime Bureau aware of the escalating level of piracy, wanted to provide a free service to the seafarer and established the 24 hour IMB Piracy Reporting Centre (PRC) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The main objective of the PRC is to be the first point of contact for the shipmaster to report an actual or attempted attack or even suspicious movements thus initiating the process of response.
The main aim of the PRC is to raise awareness within the shipping industry, which includes the shipmaster, ship-owner, insurance companies, traders, etc, of the areas of high risk associated with piratical attacks or specific ports and anchorages associated with armed robberies on board ships.
The PRC works closely with various governments and law enforcement agencies and is involved in information sharing in an attempt to reduce and ultimately eradicate this crime. Besides the piracy map, the agency offers other current information, such as:
Maritime Administration Advisories rapidly disseminate information on maritime danger, safety, and government policy, and other time sensitive matters pertaining to U.S.-flag vessel operations. Maritime Administration Advisories are issued by the Office of Security to vessel masters, ship operators, and other U.S. maritime interests. Advisories are communicated via telex or other message formats, and published on the Maritime Administration’s web site and the National Imaging and Mapping Agency's Weekly Notice to Mariners.
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