Posted:
March 1, 2011
The Save Our Seafarers (SOS) campaign, an international drive supported by American Maritime Officers to compel governments to crack down on piracy, was launched today by BIMCO, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), the International Shipping Federation (ISF), Intercargo, INTERTANKO and the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF).
The campaign calls on individuals around the world to participate and send a message to governments: recognize the dire threat to seafarers and the world economy, and take the necessary steps to eradicate piracy at sea and ashore.
"Pirates are getting stronger, more violent and richer every day as a result of inertia by governments," said ITF General Secretary David Cockroft. "On behalf of all the major shipping organizations, we're calling for help from governments to tackle this human and economic terror being inflicted upon innocent seafarers. We hope that by working together and encouraging support from the global community we can ease the current crisis of Somali piracy."
The Round Table of international shipping associations and the ITF have launched a Web site for the SOS Save Our Seafarers campaign. From the site, supporters can send a pre-prepared letter, signed by them, to their chosen government officials. The Web site will feature up-to-the minute information on the piracy situation, and an SOS TV page with film clips and pictures.
The SOS Save Our Seafarers campaign is requesting governments acknowledge the threat posed by piracy to seafarers and the world economy, and take the necessary steps to eradicate piracy, including:
"Yet even when caught by naval forces, 80 percent of pirates are released to attack again. Why? Because the world's politicians don't realize the severity of this critical situation. The governments give the orders. The governments hold the key to resolving this crisis. But they seem unwilling to face reality and act. Their brief to the naval forces is simply to deter and disrupt, unless it involves a national interest."
International Save Our Seafarers anti-piracy campaign launched today
The Save Our Seafarers (SOS) campaign, an international drive supported by American Maritime Officers to compel governments to crack down on piracy, was launched today by BIMCO, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), the International Shipping Federation (ISF), Intercargo, INTERTANKO and the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF).
The campaign calls on individuals around the world to participate and send a message to governments: recognize the dire threat to seafarers and the world economy, and take the necessary steps to eradicate piracy at sea and ashore.
"Pirates are getting stronger, more violent and richer every day as a result of inertia by governments," said ITF General Secretary David Cockroft. "On behalf of all the major shipping organizations, we're calling for help from governments to tackle this human and economic terror being inflicted upon innocent seafarers. We hope that by working together and encouraging support from the global community we can ease the current crisis of Somali piracy."
The Round Table of international shipping associations and the ITF have launched a Web site for the SOS Save Our Seafarers campaign. From the site, supporters can send a pre-prepared letter, signed by them, to their chosen government officials. The Web site will feature up-to-the minute information on the piracy situation, and an SOS TV page with film clips and pictures.
The SOS Save Our Seafarers campaign is requesting governments acknowledge the threat posed by piracy to seafarers and the world economy, and take the necessary steps to eradicate piracy, including:
- Reducing the effectiveness of the easily-identifiable pirate mother ships
- Authorizing naval forces to detain pirates and deliver them for prosecution and punishment
- Fully criminalizing all acts of piracy and intent to commit piracy under national laws in accordance with their mandatory duty to co-operate to suppress piracy under international conventions
- Increasing naval assets available in this area
- Providing greater protection and support for seafarers
- Tracing and criminalizing the organizers and financiers behind the criminal networks
"Yet even when caught by naval forces, 80 percent of pirates are released to attack again. Why? Because the world's politicians don't realize the severity of this critical situation. The governments give the orders. The governments hold the key to resolving this crisis. But they seem unwilling to face reality and act. Their brief to the naval forces is simply to deter and disrupt, unless it involves a national interest."