Counter-Piracy Task Force Efforts Reduce Numbers Of Successful

MANAMA, BAHRAIN

04.29.2010

Courtesy Story

U.S. Naval Forces Central Command / U.S. 5th Fleet           

MANAMA, Bahrain - The Gulf of Aden and the coast of Somalia plays host to some of the most travelled shipping lanes on the globe, making transit of these pirate-infested waters a necessity for many commercial shipping companies.

Combined Task Force 151, which is part of the Combined Maritime Forces, is the counter-piracy task force of the Combined Maritime Forces, which patrols these waters, along with EU, NATO and other navies operating independently in the region. The work of CTF 151 in patrolling these waters has had a significant effect in deterring pirate attacks.

In the month of April, there have been no successful pirate attacks in the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor, which is the route patrolled by the task force. Although elsewhere in the region, there have been 19 attacks and three vessels successfully pirated, this is a significantly reduced number compared to the corresponding period last year.

Royal Navy Commodore Tim Lowe, Deputy Commander, Combined Maritime Forces, said: "The success of CTF 151 in deterring piracy can not be underestimated. With the catch, disarm and release policy the pirates are continually being thwarted before they can make a successful attack. The efforts of a coordinated naval presence demonstrates to potential pirates that the
international community is working together to halt their illegal activities."

While the efforts of CTF 151 and other task forces in the area have helped combat piracy, the military alone cannot prevent all pirate attacks and commercial vessels must not depend solely upon military intervention to ensure their safe passage. The commercial shipping industry is now
demonstrating that the most effective proven deterrent to piracy is by their actions.

Merchant Vessels who have adopted industry recommended 'Best Management Practices' and who have registered with the Maritime Shipping Centre - Horn of Africa and the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Organization reduce the likelihood of their becoming victims of piracy. This advice is not based on theoretical data but proven statistics. Best Management Practices that were
adopted by the last three vessels to avoid a successful pirate attack this month, included the use of fire hoses; increased speed; evasive manoeuvers and the securing of hatches.

CTF 151 is a multi-national task force established in January 2009 to conduct counter-piracy operations under a mission based mandate to actively deter, disrupt and suppress piracy in order to protect global maritime security and secure freedom of navigation for the benefit of all nations.
It operates in the Gulf of Aden and the east coast of Somalia, where it has had a significant effect disrupting piracy. Although the number of piracy attempts has increased over the past year, the number of successful attacks has been reduced by 40% over this same time.

• Date Taken: 04.29.2010
• Date Posted: 04.29.2010 07:13
• Story ID: 48870
• Location: MANAMA, BH