Goa: MP pleads for finalizing maritime policy to face pirates

Rajya Sabha member from Goa Shantaram Naik has pleaded with the Centre for finalising the country's maritime policy that could bring together international community against the piracy in the high seas. In a fax message to Union Minister of Shipping G.K.Vasan, and Director General of Shipping Lakshmi Venkatachalam, Mr.Naik said the policy should respond to the welfare of the sea farers particularly in times of contingencies like piracy as reported in Somalia. He had also urged the authorities to be in touch with families of seafarers on board the recently hijacked India ship MV Al Khaliq, residing in Goa, Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Gujarat.

He had also requested the authorities to do their best to rescue the seafarers on board the ship, a Panamanian-flagged bulk carrier, hijacked by pirates on October 21 with 24 crew members on board, out of which, a few are reportedly Goans. Mr Naik expressed confidence that the Directorate General of Shipping will be closely monitoring the developments and that; the Government of India will try their best to seek the help of international community. It is learnt that more than 130 crew members from seven ships are currently being held, including about 70 from the latest attacks, Mr Naik said.

In his letter, Mr Naik has expressed happiness that recently, sophisticated US military surveillance drones capable of carrying missiles have begun patrolling waters off Somalia in the hope of stemming rising piracy. Unmanned U.S. military surveillance planes 'MQ-9 Reapers' stationed on the island nation of Seychelles are being deployed to patrol the Indian Ocean in search of pirates, he said.

The 36-foot-long Reapers, with the size of a jet fighter, can fly about 16 hours and are capable of carrying a dozen guided bombs and missiles. They are outfitted with infrared, laser and radar targeting. This is a good development, Mr. Naik said. 'However, even the drones and the presence of an international naval armada are unlikely to deter pirates, according to experts, as pirates are prepared to take their chances against the warships that are patrolling the area, simply because the potential for big financial gain is significant,' Mr. Naik added.