Thread by @timwalker919

1/ It's worthwhile scrutinising @IMB_Piracy reports for the stories, trends, and unresolved issues behind (beneath) the headlines and soundbites... 🌍🧵🏴‍☠️🚢⚓️🧵

#Piracy #maritimesecurity #Africa

https://twitter.com/IMB_Piracy/status/1414487816042602499

2/ The one death and all 50 crew members kidnapped took place on for which the nearest coastal state was African. The current whereabouts and safety of 20 kidnapped sailors are not included in this report and this information needs to be urgently ascertained.

3/ The conditions of the other 30 and the means by which their release was secured are not explained (only the date of their release is given). Details such as where they were taken, how they were treated, and if they were kept with other crew/hostages must be followed up on...

4/ In regards to African countries and waters (my focus), there were 24 reported incidents (I cannot under-emphasise the importance of the word 'reported') - 9 armed robberies at sea and 15 incidents consistent with acts/legal definition of piracy.

5/ 5 of the 15 incidents are classified as attempted - we can think of them as either failure from the pirates' perspective, and successfully evaded/repelled by those onboard the vessel being attacked. The short narratives of these (surely terrifying) incidents are often banal...

6/ I think we can barely grasp the experiences and feelings of the crew - terror during an approach and attack, or, if the ship escapes unboarded, the exhilaration of safety. Phrases such as 'warning shots', 'hardening measures' and 'evasive manoeuvres' do not do them justice...

7/ 11 incidents that are attributed to/identified with an African country were resolved by a naval/security vessel response. We must explore this more because African navies turn out to be very active and involved, yet we seldom hear if this is part of a +/- trend!

8/ FYI I am including Q1 and Q2 together.

I think I should have said "I cannot stress enough the importance…"

9/ Q1+Q2 2021 🇬🇭 despatched navy/responded to 4 incidents of piracy. 1) technical difficulties encountered = Nigerian security team used, 2) security patrol team despatched to Takoradi anchorage after an unauthorised boarding, 3)&4) vessels despatched to escort victims to safety

10/ On 3 occasions (including the incident mentioned☝️) a 🇳🇬 security team or vessel was despatched and escorted the victims to safety. All three incidents occurred over 200 nautical miles from the nearest coastal state (Ghana, Benin and Nigeria).

11/ 🇬🇦 authorities intercepted a hijacked fishing vessel, and 🇦🇴 despatched a patrol boat to Luanda Anchorage after a vessel reported that thieves had robbed it of ships stores and escaped unnoticed.

12/ What is interesting is 3 incidents involved international/non-regional navies - 🇵🇹 rendezvoused with 🇨🇲 and 🇬🇶 boats after pirates had boarded and damaged a product tanker. 🇬🇶 also took over escort duties of a tanker from an unnamed international warship.

13/ An 🇮🇹 frigate intervened after pirates boarded a containership 132 nautical miles NW of 🇸🇹 on 23 April. Pirates failed to kidnap and crew and the 🇮🇹 frigate escorted the vessel safely to its destination.

14/ There are more incidents involving non-regional navies in West Africa than I expected, and African navies have been far more active and involved than is typically known or told… I apologise for excluding some dates and details - read the @IMB_Piracy report for more info too!

@threadreaderapp unroll