Russia to launch search for Arctic Sea
Russia’s navy is to launch a full-scale search for Arctic Sea, the Russian-owned and crewed general cargoship allegedly hijacked in the Baltic last month, reportedly on the direct instructions of president Dmitry Medvedev.
Meanwhile, Anglo-Dutch seafarer union Nautilus International has warned that the case highlights “glaring gaps” in the national and international maritime security regime, seafarer union Nautilus International has warned.
According to the state-owned RIA Novosti news agency, Mr Medvedev has ordered defence minister Anatoly Serdyukov to take “all necessary measures to detect, monitor and, if necessary, rescue” the vessel.
The whereabouts of 1991-built, 4,706 dwt Arctic Sea have been unknown since July 29, when data from the Lloyd’s Marine Intelligence Unit vessel-tracking service positioned it off the southwest of England.
Britain’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency has confirmed that it reported to Dover coastguard the day before, and there have been subsequent reports that it was seen by a spotter plane off the coast of Portugal.
Arctic Sea first hit the headlines last month, when Swedish police confirmed that they were investigating allegations that a gang of masked men impersonating police officers briefly seized the vessel while it was in Swedish waters. The intruders purportedly identified themselves as police and insisted on searching the ship for drugs.
Around 15 Russian national seafarers claimed at the time that they were tied up and beaten by a group of around 10 men who boarded the ship on July 24 off the Swedish islands of Öland and Gotland. No serious injuries were reported.
Nautilus International general secretary Mark Dickinson said: ‘It is alarming that, in the twenty-first century, a ship can apparently be commandeered by hijackers and sail through the world’s busiest waterway with no alarm being raised and no naval vessel going to intercept it.”
He also expressed concern that a ship can sail around for more than a fortnight with no one seemingly knowing its precise location or who is in control.
“We do not believe the authorities would have taken such a relaxed approach to a hijacked aircraft, yet it seems that ships and seafarers continue to be treated with an ‘out of sight, out of mind’ approach that has led to the shipping industry being the Achilles heel of global security.”
The union added that a House of Commons transport committee report three years ago warned that the successful seizure of a ship could serve as example and encouragement to terrorists.
The union will be raising its concerns with a motion on piracy and maritime security at the Trades Union Congress conference next month.
Meanwhile, Anglo-Dutch seafarer union Nautilus International has warned that the case highlights “glaring gaps” in the national and international maritime security regime, seafarer union Nautilus International has warned.
According to the state-owned RIA Novosti news agency, Mr Medvedev has ordered defence minister Anatoly Serdyukov to take “all necessary measures to detect, monitor and, if necessary, rescue” the vessel.
The whereabouts of 1991-built, 4,706 dwt Arctic Sea have been unknown since July 29, when data from the Lloyd’s Marine Intelligence Unit vessel-tracking service positioned it off the southwest of England.
Britain’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency has confirmed that it reported to Dover coastguard the day before, and there have been subsequent reports that it was seen by a spotter plane off the coast of Portugal.
Arctic Sea first hit the headlines last month, when Swedish police confirmed that they were investigating allegations that a gang of masked men impersonating police officers briefly seized the vessel while it was in Swedish waters. The intruders purportedly identified themselves as police and insisted on searching the ship for drugs.
Around 15 Russian national seafarers claimed at the time that they were tied up and beaten by a group of around 10 men who boarded the ship on July 24 off the Swedish islands of Öland and Gotland. No serious injuries were reported.
Nautilus International general secretary Mark Dickinson said: ‘It is alarming that, in the twenty-first century, a ship can apparently be commandeered by hijackers and sail through the world’s busiest waterway with no alarm being raised and no naval vessel going to intercept it.”
He also expressed concern that a ship can sail around for more than a fortnight with no one seemingly knowing its precise location or who is in control.
“We do not believe the authorities would have taken such a relaxed approach to a hijacked aircraft, yet it seems that ships and seafarers continue to be treated with an ‘out of sight, out of mind’ approach that has led to the shipping industry being the Achilles heel of global security.”
The union added that a House of Commons transport committee report three years ago warned that the successful seizure of a ship could serve as example and encouragement to terrorists.
The union will be raising its concerns with a motion on piracy and maritime security at the Trades Union Congress conference next month.
