‘SA’s rough seas could deter pirates’

Ships on South African waters could be vulnerable to attack from pirates especially since piracy has already reached the Mozambique coast, according to Captain Brian Watt, the former chief executive of the South African Maritime Safety Authority. “It (any form of attack) is possible, however, in South Africa we suffer tremendously rough seas throughout the year, and I doubt that the boats used by the pirates would survive in our waters. However, having said that, it is possible,” he said. Earlier this month the International Maritime Organisation said there had been 286 piracyrelated incidents off the coast of Somalia in the past 12 months; 67 ships had been hijacked with 1130 seafarers on board; and 714 seafarers were being held for ransom on 30 ships scattered at various points of the country’s coastline. Watt said the South African defence force’s patrolling of the sea in Mozambique to combat piracy was important since it had already reached the channel. “If the patrol was able to engage with pirates I trust that they would not be as lenient as the EU forces and behave more like the Russians and Indians.” Russia and India have intensified their efforts against piracy in the Gulf of Aden, including the use of covert action against pirates. Watt said South Africa had laws in place to deal with pirates and believed that rough seas and the fact that sheltered landing sites along the coastline were few and far between, deterred criminals. But this could change in an instant. Retired SA Navy officer Captain Jock Deacon said appropriate legislation was in place and that the government had a duty to protect people and property. In his 30 years at sea, Captain Deacon said he had never experienced piracy.