In recent years, thousands of seafarers have been killed, injured, assaulted, taken hostage or threatened as piracy and armed robbery have increased dramatically.
What can be done to combat piracy?
The ITF believes that a range of measures are needed to prevent piracy and the dangers it poses to seafarers. These include:
• International assistance for those States willing to combat piracy but who lack the means.
• International pressure to address the problem of states not willing to take remedial action when piracy takes place in their
jurisdiction, on their flagged vessels or affects their nationals.
• Action by coastal States when requested, including criminal proceedings, with no undue delay of vessel and/or crew
• Flag States to assist vessels flying their flag who are victims of piracy
• States to assist their seafarer nationals who are victims of piracy
• Close cooperation between all partners in the shipping industry to fight these crimes
• Greater awareness and vigilance by seafarers about the dangers of piracy and armed robbery
• Immediate reporting of all incidents, including the nationality of seafarer victims
• Greater use of equipment such as CCTV to detect and deter attack
You can help stop this evil trade in human hostages and help free the seas, too.
Visit www.SaveOurSeafarers.com and you’ll find letters to email to the UN and your government demanding action.