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(The photo below, taken by Chris Nelson, shows the panel from left to right: Lucy Chabot Reed, Andy Carrie, Patrick Estebe, Jake Desverges, and Steve Mort.)

The panel was moderated by Lucy Chabot Reed, editor of The Triton Newspaper, and the other panelists were Andy Carrie, a former Security Consultant for Shell Oil, Jake Desverges from U.S. Maritime Training, and Steve Mort, the newly-appointed Vice President of Security at Wright Maritime Group. Reed's approach was relaxed and open-ended. She prompted the audience, which consisted mostly of captains and crew aboard large yachts, to bring up topics for discussion, and she let the panelists decide among themselves who would respond.

One of the topics that received a lot of attention was the International Maritime Organization's approach to security, which dictates, among other things, that vessels remain highly visible in international waters. While many in the room agreed with the IMO's procedures, there were some that didn't, suggesting that it's best to turn all lights off and stay off the V.H.F. radio when transiting waters were piracy is common. Steve Mort and Patrick Estebe disagreed on this front, Estebe saying that maintaining a low profile and staying silent and unlit is on of the better ways to avoid becoming a target, and Mort saying that it's best to keep on as many lights as possible.

While everyone agreed that it's best to stay out of waters where activity has been high, comparing piracy-prone waters to bad parts of town where you wouldn't want to drive alone at night, there were several delivery captains in the audience who lamented the fact that sometimes you don't have a choice. If the boat's owner wants the boat taken up the Red Sea, you either do it or you lose your job.

Another thing that came up was the frequency of small-scale attacks in Caribbean countries like Jamaica whose economies have been hurt by recent hurricanes. Anytime the economy is bad, there is going to be increased piracy activity. Political climate has much to do with the issue as well, causing increased problems with stowaways and illegal immigration. As one recent book, The Outlaw Sea, says, "(Ships) are possibly the most independent objects on earth, many of the without allegiances of any kind, frequently changing their identity and assuming whatever nationality—or 'flag'—allows them to proceed as they please." The ocean tends to be a place where laws either don't exist or can't be enforced, and the un-traceability of many ships makes disappearances go unnoticed.

Most of the discussion revolved around generalities and hypothetical situations. Very little was shared about the panelists' or others' actual experiences with piracy, as time was limited to two hours, but people left with a definite sense of what to do in order to avoid bad situations. Some of the precautions mentioned were:

• Take advantage of the local Coast Guard or similar agency by filing a float plan
• Always make sure someone else knows where you plan to be
• Avoid high risk areas, if at all possible
• Either reduce your visibility by doing things like taking down your radar reflector or increase your visibility by turning on all the lights
• Travel with others
• Communicate often with vessels you know on the VHF, perhaps on a frequency other than the hailing and distress frequency
• If you carry weapons, be prepared to declare them and be prepared for the consequences of using them

The discussion was most likely the first of many to take place at Bluewater and elsewhere on this subject. We are living and sailing in uncertain times and dangerous waters, and the panelists agreed that the increased activity is not likely to subside any time soon.

To receive a list of books related to piracy, please call Melanie Neale at (954) 763-6533, ex 228. The photo below, taken by Chris Nelson, shows the panel from left to right: Lucy Chabot Reed, Andy Carrie, Patrick Estebe, Jake Desverges, and Steve Mort.