The Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) chief of staff Capt Chris S. Chambers highlighted the ways on how the Philippines can further contribute to anti-piracy campaigns though standardization of training and prodding ships' principals and manning agencies in the use of best management practices (BMP) while sailing the Somali Basin and the Gulf of Aden.
"There is a need to standardize the training of seafarers. Also, government can ensure that the manning agencies are aware of BMP as an pre-emptive measure to repel pirate attacks," he said at a presentation at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) yesterday.
He cited the valuable participation of the Philippines in the Contact Group for Piracy and encouraged the Philippines to join the Combined Marine Forces to gain staff access and also for CMF to be able to gain from the Philippine Navy's perspective.
Capt Chambers added that the Philippines can continue prodding Flag States to do more in enforcing BMP compliance among the vessels that carry its registry.
He enumerated the BMP passive defense measures that vessels must observe such as having a comprehensive security plan to include risk assessment, having lookouts at all times, mastering speed and maneuver, observing limited lighting, registering with the Maritime Security Centre - Horn of Africa (MSC-HOA), staying in communication with MSC-HOA, UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) and/or Maritime Liaison Office (MARLO), avoiding high-risk areas if possible, and participating in group transits.
Capt Chambers also mentioned the BMP active defense measures such as securing hatches, limiting access to crew and control spaces, rigging fire hoses, rigging barriers such as barbed wire, fencing, especially in low freeboard areas, having non-lethal measures such as having long range acoustic devices (LRAD), flares, and instituting professional security teams capable of repelling pirate attacks.
He also stressed that a citadel complements other BMP measures and must be implemented properly by making sure it should contain the complete crew safely; there should also be enduring communications in place, retention of control of movements, and there should be provisions for consumables such as food and water. Recently, citadels have been successful 13 times in preventing piracy.
During the presentation, Capt Chambers discussed the CMF's security operations and command, and the operations of the Combined Task Force (CTF) 151 and its counter-piracy campaign plan.
He also talked about the maritime industry's BMP and the CMF's future plans and operations. The CTF 151 was initiated in response to piracy attacks in shipping lanes off the coast of Somalia.
CTF 151 aims to actively deter, disrupt, and suppress piracy in order to protect global maritime security and to secure freedom of navigation for the benefit of all nations.
He cited the formation and existence of the Shared Awareness and De-confliction (SHADE) meetings which is a regular, formal mechanism for naval counter-piracy consisting of 130 participants from 32 nations, industry and law enforcement.
This mechanism coordinates the efforts of international counter-piracy forces in the region and patrols the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC), among other areas.
The SHADE meetings greatly improved information sharing on counter-piracy as navies are now working more closely together than ever before on counter-piracy. SHADE implemented formal IRTC naval coordination procedures and improved counter-piracy air coordination procedures.
Meanwhile, Undersecretary for Special and Ocean Concerns Jose S. Brillantes reiterated the Philippine government's determination to seek greater protection for the Filipino seafarers who traverse the most dangerous waters in the world today.
"We hope that this event will usher in more cooperation between the Philippines and the CMF to pursue more concrete measures in our common quest to combat piracy and to ensure the freedom of navigation in the waters off the coast of Somalia," Undersecretary Brillantes stated.
"Filipino seafarers who comprise at least a third of the world's total number of seafarers contribute a significant portion to our country's economy and is in fact one of the reasons why we have weathered the challenges to our financial system. Despite this, our so-called modern day heroes have been exposed to the greatest risk that has confronted the global maritime industry in recent times," he said.
Philippine Ambassador to Bahrain Ma. Corazon Yap-Bahjin, through Philippine Foreign Liaison Officer to the Combined Maritime Command in Bahrain, Navy Captain Collado, arranged the visit of Capt Chambers. The CMF is stationed in Manama, Bahrain.
Representatives from shipping companies, seafarers and manning agencies, concerned government agencies, other stakeholders in the maritime industry, DFA officials, and media attended the presentation.
Filipino seafarers have been victims of piracy in the Somali Basin and the Gulf of Aden. At present, there are 119 seafarers aboard 11 vessels in captivity by Somali pirates.