Security Risks on the High Seas

What does the average tourist on a cruise ship and the crew member on a supertanker have in common? They both face life and death security risks just by sailing on a vessel at sea. The risks are diverse in nature that the following observations will focus only on cruise ship security, cargo security, terrorist security, and modern day piracy. The vulnerability of the world’s seagoing vessels is underestimated by virtually all of the maritime community. It is the “Won’t happen to me” syndrome in action and a review of the changes and improvements currently being implemented provide only a marginal sense of safety.

To reiterate for clarity; More than 190,000 people have been killed in shipping accidents in the last twenty years. (California Maritime Academy) This is a large number and only includes reported accidents. Consider that may grow to a much larger number if the security risks are not addressed in a globally effective manner.

The recreational cruising ships are aware of the problem and have implemented crew and passenger tracking systems but have done little to screen cargo or baggage. Imagine how easy taking over a cruise ship would be and holding thousands of people hostage. It could be as simple as a small sailboat carrying guns, explosives or poison.

The world’s cargo is at great risk due to the sheer quantity and points of origin. The United States imports 95% of is goods through the maritime industries. In 2002 more than 7 million shipping containers entered US ports. (GAO DHS Report) The Department of Homeland Security can only inspect an incredibly small portion of these containers and generally consists of comparing the container weight to the shipping manifest. Consider the hundreds of tons of illegal drugs that are smuggled into the country inside shipping containers and apply that number to more dangerous and hazardous cargo.

The terrorist threat to the seagoing vessel remains impossible to quantify except to be assured that seagoing vessels are on the target list and have already been threatened, if only in failed attempts and false alarms. These false alarms display our inability to respond in a timely and meaningful way. The example of how effective a terrorist attack at sea can be compared to the impact of a single food poisoning incident on a cruise ship. This of course in not terrorism, but does have a similar, immediate and widespread impact to passengers. Like terrorism we only have the ability to respond after the fact.

The last and most obscure security threat is modern day piracy. These incidents are underestimated due to the poor methods of reporting acts of piracy. The available statistics showed that there was an increase of 57% in the year 2000 over the previous year with Indonesian waters recording the highest number of attacks. The reported statistics for 1998 show 15 merchants vessels high jacked by pirates; 138 merchant vessels boarded by pirates; 11 merchant vessels fired upon by pirates; 35 merchant crew members badly injured; over 400 merchant crew members taken hostage by pirates; and over 75 merchant crew members murdered. Current statistics are beginning to indicate that the incidents are increasing by over 50% per year. (Source:IMB). These statistics make even the most salty of sailors’ questions whether they want to sailing in the Indian Ocean or South Pacific?

I believe that these examples alone indicate an immediate need for action. Understandably the number of primary players is immense; still, initiating incremental changes to improve global maritime security are essential to our global economy and personal safety. A unified effort needs to be undertaken to protect human life and economic resources.