在最近一起令人震惊的事件中,一艘悬挂巴拿马国旗的普通货船在喀麦隆海岸被犯罪分子盯上,导致六名船员被绑架。根据海事安全咨询公司Ambrey的报告,这起事件发生在上周五的杜阿拉锚地。
这一不幸事件凸显了几内亚湾海盗日益增长的威胁,该地区近年来发生了多次袭击事件。
海盗登船时,这艘船停泊在离岸约0.8海里的港口附近。干舷高度为1.84米,很容易受到此类袭击。犯罪分子抓住了这个机会,当他们强行控制船只时,船员们的心中充满了恐惧。
当局迅速对求救电话作出反应。事件发生几分钟后,两艘喀麦隆军舰抵达现场,为迅速解决问题带来了希望。然而,他们在一个多小时后离开,船员和船东正在努力应对严重袭击的后果。
这一事件并不令人意外,因为就在三天前,船东们还被警告过该地区海盗袭击的威胁加剧。几内亚湾周围的海域因海盗猖獗而臭名昭著,引发了对海上安全的重大担忧。报告显示,今年上半年已经发生了多起袭击事件,这加剧了加强安全措施的迫切需要。
不幸的是,这并不是一个孤立的事件。就在一周前,几内亚科纳克里海岸发生了另一起海盗袭击事件。一艘悬挂马绍尔群岛旗帜的瑞士散货船成为了犯罪分子袭击的受害者。在突袭中,船员遭受***,受伤。海盗们手持带刃武器强行进入船只,抢劫了船上的保险箱,然后逃离了现场。
鉴于此类事件的普遍性,海员的安全和福祉仍然是一个最令人关切的问题。船员被绑架不仅对他们的家人和亲人造成了毁灭性打击,而且也突出表明了迫切需要国际合作和协调努力,打击几内亚湾的海盗行为。
该地区的海盗危机对全球海上贸易及其沿岸国家的稳定和经济增长构成了重大威胁。国际社会、海事组织和各国政府必须联合起来,制定全面的战略来阻止和防止此类袭击。加强海上执法,共享情报,增加在受影响地区的巡逻和存在,对于确保船只在这些危险水域航行的安全至关重要。
船东和运营商在保护其船员和船舶方面也发挥着至关重要的作用。实施强有力的安全协议、进行风险评估以及为工作人员提供充分的培训和资源,可以增强准备和应对能力。此外,与专门从事海上安全的***保安公司合作,可以为通过高风险地区的船只提供额外保护。
最近的事件清楚地提醒我们,海盗行为仍然是对海上贸易和海员生命的持续威胁。国际社会必须迅速果断地采取行动解决这一问题,采取积极措施威慑海盗,保护那些依靠海洋谋生的人。通过共同努力,我们可以努力在几内亚湾及其他地区创造一个更安全、更有保障的海洋环境。
英文原文
In a recent alarming incident, a Panama-flagged general cargo vessel was targeted by criminals off the coast of Cameroon, resulting in the abduction of six crew members. According to reports from maritime security consultancy Ambrey, the incident occurred last Friday at the Douala anchorage.
This unfortunate event highlights the growing threat of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, which has witnessed numerous attacks in recent years.
The vessel, anchored approximately 0.8 nautical miles offshore, was near the port when the pirates boarded it. With a freeboard of 1.84 meters, the ship was vulnerable to such an attack. The criminals seized the opportunity, striking fear into the crew’s hearts as they forcefully took control of the vessel.
Authorities were swift to respond to the distress call. Two Cameroonian military vessels arrived at the scene within minutes of the incident, offering hope for a quick resolution. However, their departure a little over an hour later left the crew and shipowners grappling with the aftermath of the severe attack.
This incident is unsurprising, as shipowners had been warned about the heightened threat of pirate attacks in the region just three days prior. The waters surrounding the Gulf of Guinea have earned a notorious reputation as a piracy hotspot, causing significant concerns for maritime security. Reports indicate that the first half of this year has already witnessed multiple attacks, amplifying the urgent need for enhanced security measures.
Sadly, this is not an isolated incident. Just a week prior, another piracy attack occurred off the coast of Conakry in Guinea. Flying the Marshall Islands flag, a Swiss bulker fell victim to the criminals’ assault. During the raid, the crew members suffered violence, sustaining injuries. Armed with bladed weapons, the pirates forcefully entered the vessel and proceeded to rob the onboard safe before fleeing the scene.
The safety and well-being of seafarers remain a paramount concern, given the prevalence of such incidents. The kidnapping of crew members is not only a devastating blow to their families and loved ones but also highlights the urgent need for international collaboration and coordinated efforts to combat piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.
The piracy crisis in this region poses a significant threat to global maritime trade and the stability and economic growth of the countries along its coast. The international community, marine organizations, and governments must unite to develop comprehensive strategies to deter and prevent such attacks. Strengthening maritime law enforcement, sharing intelligence, and increasing patrols and presence in the affected areas are crucial to ensuring vessels’ safety and security navigating these perilous waters.
Shipowners and operators also have a vital role to play in safeguarding their crews and vessels. Implementing robust security protocols, conducting risk assessments, and providing adequate training and resources to the staff can enhance preparedness and response capabilities. Additionally, collaboration with private security firms specializing in maritime security can give extra protection for vessels transiting high-risk areas.
The recent incident is a stark reminder that piracy remains a persistent threat to maritime trade and seafarers’ lives. The international community must act swiftly and decisively to address this issue, taking proactive measures to deter pirates and protect those who rely on the seas for their livelihoods. Through concerted efforts, we can strive towards creating a safer and more secure maritime environment in the Gulf of Guinea and beyond.
免责申明:本文根据Safety4Sea, Cameroon Concord News等内容整理,如有误差,以英文为准;仅代表作者观点,不代表中国海员之家立场。其真实性及原创性未能得到中国海员之家证实,在此感谢原作者的辛苦创作,如转载涉及版权等问题,请作者与我们联系,我们将在第一时间处理,谢谢!联系邮箱:cnisu@54seaman.com
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