POORLY trained, locally employed and under-manned armed security teams are no match for West African pirates, said British security firm GoAGT's chief executive Nick Davis.
One recent fatal incident could have been avoided, Mr Davis declared as he reviewed the April 29 pirate attack on the 7,654-dwt SP Brussels en route from Port Harcourt to Lagos off Nigeria's coast, which resulted in the death of its chief engineer.
The crew retreated to the citadel, but chief engineer and the third officer were cut off. Two armed guards, having killed the two pirates in a firefight, later found the chief dead and the junior officer with minor injures.
Said Mr Davis: "This is a recognised high risk area. Criminal gangs are well armed and will stop at nothing. While the Brussels had a citadel, this can only be effective if the security team and the crew have trained hard in anti-piracy and citadel drills."
This requires a security team that has a thorough knowledge of the ship and has established highly effective communications and coordination procedures with the crew, he said.
"Only this way will they maintain an effective lookout that allows all the crew to react in time and achieve shelter in the citadel," said Mr Davis.
The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) said the two pirates boarded at dusk undetected by lookouts, and vessel having little freeboard was vulnerable to boarding from many points. The two guards traded fire as the crew took to the fortified citadel.
This is the second time SP Brussels was attacked in Gulf of Guinea, the first incident took place in December 2012 with five crew taken hostages and later released safe, apparently for a ransom.
PIRACY
08 May 2014 - 08:00
GoAGT: Poorly trained, locals no match for West African pirates
POORLY trained, locally employed and under-manned armed security teams are no match for West African pirates, said British security firm GoAGT's chief executive Nick Davis.
PIRACY
08 May 2014 - 08:00
GoAGT: Poorly trained, locals no match for West African pirates
This news 7281 hits received.
These news may also interest you