§ Mr. ToddTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures are available(a) to British seafarers to protect themselves against piracy and (b) to the Government to protect seafarers against piracy; and what plans he has for further measures. [38329]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonAdvice to seafarers on how to protect themselves against acts of piracy is available from:
The Piracy and Armed Robbery Merchant Shipping Notice (No. 1517) which is being revised and re-issued shortly. This gives practical advice on how to deter and deal with acts of piracy and armed robbery and will be widely disseminated throughout the industry and to seafarers.The Marine Safety Agency's Code of Safe Working practices for Merchant Seamen which is also being revised and re-issued and includes counter piracy advice.Information on piracy incidents is now made widely available to seafarers so that they may take appropriate counter measures and the FCO includes incident information in Travel Advice Notices.The Government have always considered the best and most sensible way to combat the problem is through concerted international action through the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and we will be supporting any appropriate counter piracy initiatives that are put forward there.
We have agreed to contribute financially to a series of counter piracy seminars being organised by the IMO; and are considering whether we might be able to send experts to problem areas overseas to offer advice.
The Government share the concerns of the shipping industry and seafarers and accept that piracy is a problem, particularly in some areas of the world where attacks continue and British ships and seamen are at risk. I raised this concern at the Ministerial Conference on Port State Control held in Vancouver at the end of last month and was supported by the delegates from Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Sweden, the European Commission, Norway, New Zealand, Canada and the IMO.