Maritime Security - "Who's Watching The Watchers?"
Op-ed by Michael Durao of Beowulf Defense And Security
In a series of op-eds relating to maritime security, Beowulf's Michael Durao underlines the need to ensure that the maritime security field, expanding on a monthly basis, is professionally managed and accountable. As the call for armed guards increases and the potential for lethal escalation by pirates in response to the success of MarSec teams grows, the importance of regulation cannot be understated, including for governmental and state approval - OCEANUSLive Team.
Adapting
Since the end of monsoon season pirate activity in the Horn of Africa has predictably skyrocketed, but has also increased in ferocity on an unprecedented scale. Pirate Action Groups have adapted to the half-baked security services that pervade our industry with massed attacks of up to 20 skiffs that are more willing than ever to use their constantly modernized and expanded inventories of RPGs and other heavy weapons.
Lethal Force
Such large attacks have taken place at least twice in the last week alone, most notably against an Iranian tanker in the Strait of Mandeb that safely transited only with the aid of naval forces. These threats cannot be met with under-equipped or under-trained security teams. The pirates' coordination and firepower must be countered with weapons capable of engaging multiple targets and quickly neutralizing them, as well as trained and disciplined personnel that are proficient in the operation of said weapons. The maritime security industry may have finally realized that lethal force is a necessary component of any realistic use of force continuum, but hunting rifles and shotguns are not adequate tools to guard clients’ property and employees’ lives against pirates who are utilizing military tactics and weaponry.
Avoid Setback
Today, we enjoy touting the perfect record of having never lost a ship with an armed security team on board, but as the pirate threat escalates and complacent, ill-prepared firms continue to operate, it has become only a matter of time before the pirates catch up. Unless all maritime security firms upgrade their hardware, training, and tactics, those who are stuck in the past risk disaster, and we all stand to suffer a setback in what is already an uphill battle to build a positive image.
Regulation
However, maintaining that image also requires distancing ourselves from the irresponsible 'cowboys' who have sullied our collective reputations through carelessness and excessive force. Without naming names, many of these companies have signed onto ICoC, joined SAMI and IAMSP, but there are no truly effective enforcement agencies to keep them in line. Rather than waiting for strict, suffocating national and international law to be brought down on us by bureaucrats, wholly unfamiliar with the realities of maritime security, it is essential that MarSec firms self-regulate, and accredit firms that act responsibly and ethically. We need to go beyond pledging “To do the right thing”, and actively monitor members’ conduct to weed out those who do not.
Drive Efforts
With the situation in the Horn of Africa escalating to new levels of violence and many of our colleagues remaining unprepared to meet this new challenge, the spectre of regulation looms over us all, and it’s essential to make sure that we drive these efforts, rather than being imposed upon from the top-down and stifling our capabilities.
Michael Durao - Research Analyst Beowulf Defense and Security
Michael Durao is a Beowulf Research Analyst who's concentration lies in the analysis of the capabilities and proliferation of Eastern air defense and air-to-air systems, defense acquisition reform, and the evolving paradigms of 21st Century war-fighting.
BDS Disclaimer: The preceding opinion contains generalizations that may not accurately include the entire membership base of the organizations referenced. Every attempt has been made to accurately present factual information, however if you feel something stated in the article is in error, do not hesitate to bring it to the attention of the contributor. Beowulf Defense and Security is primarily a Consulting Think Tank and private security firm based out of the United States, which performs independent research, however this research does not necessarily effect the operations of our Maritime Security arm--BDS Maritime.
The views stated are those of the contributor and do not necessarily reflect those of OCEANUSLive.
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