How To Make Crime Pay: The Somalian Way

So once again Somalia, or more specifically, Somali-based hi-jackers, have thrust themselves back into the international spotlight.

Apart from coming to terms with the sheer audacity of just exactly how a few Somali pirates managed to board and seize a supertanker the size of the Sirius Star (ok we are reliably informed that their usual modus operandi is to open fire on the bridge with an assortment of weapons at which point the captain, under standard merchant vessel instructions not to resist attack once arms are employed, will throw down a boarding ladder!) one has to question why on earth there appears to be little or no onus on the owners to protect such a vessel, it's cargo and crew.

We know there is a multi-national task force operating in the area, and has been for some years, but they aren't omni-present.

The ship itself is worth in the region of $150 million whilst the cargo of two million barrels of crude oil, equivalent to a quarter of Saudi Arabia's daily ouput, is probably worth $100 million. As for the 23 crewmen, barely given a mention in the headlines screaming "OIL", what price on their heads?

Any other similarly valued cargo travelling by land or air would be given somewhat more closer protection and yet even now the ship's owners have entered into negotiations with the pirates on securing release of the crude, vessel and crew (no doubt in that order of importance) for a substantial amount estimated by some to reach in the region of $5 million. Insurers will have to pick up that tab and pass on the collateral to all of us.

Two things immediately spring to mind here.

Firstly, if I were a Somali hi-jacker I would be planning my next fun day out as soon as possible; what an easy way to make money. In fact I'm considering going over there and joining them. Where else in the world would this preposterous situation be allowed to prevail?

And secondly, why as a pre-condition of insurance for such vessels is it not mandatory for the owners to have their own sea marshals on board to act as sufficient deterrent? A dozen or so suitably armed individuals would do the trick. There are enough ex-forces personnel out there who would jump at the chance and cost a damn sight less than $5 million!