US maritime agency warns ships of increased piracy

[September 10, 2009]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- The U.S. government warned mariners on Tuesday to expect an increase in piracy off the Horn of Africa and in the Indian Ocean and counseled seamen on U.S.-flagged ships to be prepared to defend against boarders.

An advisory from the Maritime Administration said increased piracy can be expected because the monsoon has ended in the area off eastern Africa, and pirates from lawless Somalia will have easier access to passing ships.

The advisory suggested that crew members "demonstrate a willingness to defend yourself" if pirates climb aboard despite evasion tactics. Shippers were advised to pass through suspect areas at the highest speed possible.

If pirates board a ship despite such evasion, Matsuda said, the crew should emulate the seamen of the Maersk Alabama.

Alabama's crew resisted pirates who attacked their ship in April. Despite the kidnapping of their captain, the crew never surrendered the vessel, and more than a dozen alleged pirates were killed by U.S. Navy sharpshooters or captured and put on trial as pirates. The Navy also rescued the Alabama's captain, Richard Phillips.

"We must apply the lessons learned from the crew of the Maersk Alabama," Matsuda said. "We are urging mariners to take defensive measures and not surrender at the first sign of a threat."

The Maritime Administration is a part of the U.S. Department of Transportation.

___

On the Net:

Maritime Administration: http://www.marad.dot.gov/

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.