by
Your MET Staff | Thursday, July 31, 2014 |
On June 20,
2014, the White House released the United States Counter Piracy and Maritime
Security Action Plan. The White House press release explains that this new
maritime security and piracy plan “provides clear strategic guidance for
counter-piracy efforts and outlines that the United States will use all
appropriate instruments of national power to repress piracy and related
maritime crimes.”
The
Goal and Vision of the Plan
The vision of
anti-piracy security plan is increasingly safe seas with a lower risk of
piracy. The U.S. aims to continue to counter the threat of piracy, raise the
bar in terms of safety and security for mariners, and promote the unhindered,
lawful flow of international commerce.
The anti-piracy
maritime security plan was made in alignment with Presidential Policy Directive
18 and supersedes the Countering Piracy off the Horn of Africa: Partnership and
Action Plan.
Its purpose is:
- to secure and
affirm our national interest in maritime security and countering maritime
crime; and
- to provide guidance
for developing and enhancing maritime security goals in international
waters based on evolving threats.
The Plan
takes an integrated and comprehensive approach. The U.S. seeks to involve any
agency, country, organization, or entity that has an interest in maritime
security and piracy counteraction, hoping to lead and inspire international
efforts to suppress piracy, enrich the global economy, and encourage freedom of
the seas.
Priorities
for Combating Piracy
The Plan
clarifies U.S. priorities for combating piracy-related maritime crime. It states nine actions the U.S. government
will take in doing so:
- reduce vulnerably
on the water and in foreign territory;
- prevent attacks on
vessels and individuals;
- intervene and cease
acts of piracy in
accordance with applicable laws;
- facilitate the
persecution of pirates and
other criminals so that they are held legally accountable for their actions;
- uphold rights and
freedoms on the seas;
- protect maritime
commerce and the marine transportation industry;
- lead and support international
anti-piracy efforts;
- improve and build
regional political efforts and
resolve to combat piracy; and
- strengthen laws
that combat and prosecute piracy and
related maritime crimes.
Implementation
of the Anti-Piracy Plan
The maritime security and piracy
counteraction plan focuses on three core areas for preventing and responding to
piracy:
- Attack prevention – the plan discusses the practice
of avoiding pirate attacks, particularly when sailing
through high-risk areas. It explains, “The first and best defense against
piracy and related maritime crime, as shown through best management
practices, is to reduce the vessel’s risk and susceptibility to attack and
to be prepared for a potential assault.”
- Responding to
maritime crimes –
the plan provides measures for mariners, nations, and coalitions to
implement in response to attacks. The plan iterates: “Piracy and related
maritime crime must not be ignored. A rapid and effective response will
deter future criminal acts.”
- Enhancing security
– the anti-piracy
plan also provides objectives for developing regional governance because “[a]
lack of shore-side governance and the failure of governments to deploy
adequate maritime security measures is a primary factor that allows piracy
and related maritime crime to flourish.”
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