Sir Peter Blake - Killed by Pirates

Dear sirs,

I am sure you are well aware of the tragic death of New Zealand Yachtsman Sir Peter Blake, Shot dead in a pirate attack last week in Brazil.

It is difficult to see how anything positive can come from such a shocking tragedy but I believe the attack and murder of such a high profile person can be turned into some good, no matter how painful the process may be.

We have a duty to seafarers and their families world wide and the maritime community in general to use this attack and murder to bring sharply into public and political focus the ongoing and quickly rising levels of piracy with which the worlds seas and coastal areas are becoming plagued.

I would suggest the following immediate action be taken.

Via the Highest Diplomatic levels, immediate and positive recognition of piracy in countries which are considered to be at risk.
An undertaking from such countries that immediate steps will be taken to ensure local police, naval and coast guards make it known that persons and or groups engaged in acts of piracy will be caught and dealt with severely, one way or another. Brazil should be encouraged to take a lead in this especially in the light of this past tragedy as well as that countries past and present history of violent armed attacks on shipping and seafarers.
Across the board diplomatic assurances need to be obtained that governmental indifference to piracy will stop and a proactive stance against this type of International Crime will be actively pursued. This should apply to all countries geographically connected to the sea and especially those having an identified pirate risk.
Flag states need to be much more involved in diplomatically protesting to the countries in whose waters pirates carried out their attack on a vessel registered in the flag state country. This is one of the really big issues missing from any modern policy to combat piracy. Such a diplomatic protest should become the norm. In essence the flag state should diplomatically protest to the country concerned about an act of terrorism carried out against a vessel carrying their flag. Piracy is Terrorism no more no less. Should you have any doubts ask the families of the 72 seafarers who lost their lives to piracy in the year 2000. Piracy and terror are one and the same.

I fully recognise the enormity of the task facing some governments and the various agencies in combating piracy especially in those countries faced with large populations, poverty and internal conflict but the fact remains that piracy is getting quickly out of hand. The world is changing fast with regard to safety and security, powerful and modern weapons are not hard to come by.

Piracy is changing its face to much more organized, persistent and violent attacks. The motivation to carry out an act of piracy is changing, people are less and less motivated by poverty and more motivated by crime and underworld connections as well as the simple criminal goal of a low risk chance of easy money. In what other criminal activity can a determined group of persons lay their hands on large amounts of money and valuable goods with little or no chance of detection or capture?

Without input and action at the highest International and Diplomatic Governmental levels there will be no positive results achieved in combating and reducing piracy at sea.

I feel the tragic death of one of the worlds finest seafarers at the hands of pirates should be a catalyst for an instant renewed level of awareness and action at the highest of international levels.

It would be tragic if a safer and more secure maritime environment did not arise out of Sir Peter Blake's death.

Unfortunately clever words are not enough. Real input is required by those who have influence at the highest levels.

Without this immediate and motivated stance there will be no chance of discernible change where it matters most, that is on the decks of the vessels plying the oceans and rivers of the world regardless of vessel type, yacht or super tanker the goal would be the same. To reduce the alarming increases in pirate attacks.

IMO will be holding a Security Conference in December 2002 I see this as an excellent platform to further explore the avenues available for combating piracy (terrorism) at sea. I'm sure the shocking events of the 11th September will be the catalyst for much of the Security Conference. I would suggest that Sir Peter Blake's Death at the hands of Pirates be the Catalyst for Security at sea with regard to piracy.

I would be more than happy to receive any comments.

Yours Sincerely
Captain Trevor Whelan. MNI, IFSMA Individual Member
Chairman New Zealand Branch The Nautical Institute.

SEE ALSO IFSMA RESOLUTION CONCERNING PIRACY - LINK ON WELCOME PAGE