6 - Perils of the Seas: Piracy, Stowaways, and Irregular Migration

Abstract

Piracy, stowaways, and the recent tsunami of irregular migrants crossing the seas are costly perils for the commercial maritime industry and present challenges to the security of ships and ports, as well, are a financial and operational burden for the navies that patrol the seas. Irregular migration, specifically into Europe, currently is a humanitarian crisis of epic proportions and is exposing seafarers to increased risk of injury, disease, and death. Incidents of piracy and armed robbery at sea, while ending in East Africa, have spun upward in West Africa and Southeast Asia, where there is a greater level of violence to crew. In this chapter, we discuss the history, techniques, trends, and ramifications of piracy and armed robbery at sea in the two current hotspots—the greater Gulf of Guinea and Southeast Asia—and the link between piracy, organized crime, and terrorisms. We also discuss the motivation and profile of stowaways, as well as techniques used by them to access ships, and trends in irregular migration. Last, we review the legal requirements placed on the Shipmaster regarding stowaway and migrants and offer practical recommendations for ship security.