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20 Emergency Response Team officers commissioned
They are part of the Singapore Police Force's efforts to combat terrorism. The officers were presented with their badges at the Police Day Parade.
ByPosted 03 Jun 2016 21:51
Updated 03 Jun 2016 23:18
SINGAPORE: Twenty officers of the inaugural Emergency Response Teams were commissioned at the Police Day Parade on Friday (Jun 3). They are part of the Singapore Police Force's efforts to combat terrorism, in light of security-related incidents in Jakarta and Paris.
One of the officers is Inspector Paige Lee. As a child, she witnessed first-hand how police officers stepped in to prevent a dispute from escalating in her friend's family. The incident inspired the political science major to join the force.The 25-year-old is now deployed to lead a team of officers equipped to deal with terrorist attacks. And her training was no different from her male counterparts. Inspector Lee, the leader of the Emergency Response Team at Tanglin Division, said: “There were no discounts. We were expected to do what the male colleagues of mine were expected to do. We are expected to carry the same load, run the same amount of distances and perform any tactical training (in) exactly the same (way)."
The teams undergo simulated training to learn how to respond quickly to high-risk threats such as knife attacks or hostage situations. Said Inspector James Wong, leader of Clementi Division’s Emergency Response Team: "We are also required to think on our feet very quickly because as the situation develops, as things go, we have to think on our feet and react according to whatever they throw at us."
Both officers said that initially family members were concerned for their safety, but they re-assured their families that the training had prepared them for the job.
The 20 officers were presented with their badges at the Police Day Parade. Awards were also given to the most outstanding police land divisions. Bedok Division won the Best Land Division, while Clementi Division won the Best National Service Operationally Ready Unit.
CNA
Southeast Asian maritime terrorism warning (Dated 27 Jan 2016)
Southeast Asia could see maritime terrorism incidents this year, a leading maritime security expert has told Splash.Kevin Doherty, president of Nexus Consulting, said: “We think 2016 may see its first maritime terrorism attack in a while.”
He pointed out that there are a number of terrorists who are being released from Indonesia for a few of the early 2000s bombings, and there are number of Syrian fighters returning to Asia as well.
“Should an Indonesia terrorist link up with a Filipino terrorist, things will get bad quickly in Southeast Asia,” Doherty said.
On the outlook for piracy in general Doherty was more sanguine. “Shipowners will be happy to know that organised piracy, or what I call a piracy model will continue to be on the decline in 2016,” he said.
The main reason is that Nigerian piracy is being addressed both at the pirate level, but more importantly finally there is some focus on corruption which means those laundering money or stolen oil are not able to operate as freely as before.
Similarly, Doherty said the main reason Somali piracy will not increase in 2016 is that that the launderers have been placed under strict observation by law enforcement.
“That isn’t to say that where won’t be piracy off Somalia, as there will be, and the acts themselves will increase in 2016, however the multi-million kidnap-for-ransom model shouldn’t allow for multi-million dollar ransoms any longer,” Doherty said.
Ian Millen, coo at UK firm Dryad Maritime, told Splash that despite reduced incidents of piracy lately seafarers must remain vigilant.
“Whilst there is lots of good news in many of the areas plagued by piracy and crime, there is no room for complacency,” Millen said, adding: “Proper risk assessments, comprehensive risk mitigation and a constant awareness of the potential threats need to be in the minds of all those embarked in or responsible for vessels in high risk areas. Cutting corners in any of these areas and, for example, straying too close to the source of the threat, such as near to the Somali coast, could easily result in a negative news headline detailing the first merchant ship to be hijacked in two years.”
Millen concluded: “We live in an uncertain, complex and, sometimes, dangerous world and all would be well advised to remember this.”
SPLASH247
The continuing surge of piracy in South East Asia (Dated 11 Jan 2016)
The surge of piracy in South-East Asia waters continues as ships passing the Straits of Malacca and Singapore are falling victim to acts of piracy.
Whilst Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia operate anti-piracy patrols in the area, it has limited resources. The sheltered coast and islands also makes it easier for robbers to operate. As piracy rampages on, Indonesia and Malaysia has taken efforts to jointly increase security.
By far, the most significant incident suggests activities going beyond the usual act of armed robbery or theft on board ship.
On 11 June 2015, eight men armed with pistols and machetes boarded the Orkim Harmony a Malaysian registered tanker whilst it was nearing the end of her voyage. The Orkim Harmony was hijacked about 30 nautical miles from the Malaysian Port of Tanjung Sedili and carrying about 6,000 Tonnes of RON95 gasoline, worth more than USD 5 million. After the Pirates restrained the crew, they repainted and renamed the vessel Kim Harmon. During a joint search missions with the Malaysian Navy, an Australian air force patrol eventually spotted the stolen tanker. The pirates, all Indonesian, were arrested in Vietnamese waters.
The Orkim Harmony heist was followed by another brazen attack on 8 August 2015 of a Singapore-registered tanker, MT JOAQUIM. The MT JOAQUIM was heading from the Indonesian Port of Tanjung Pinang to the island of Langkawi off the northern coast of Malaysia where it was hijacked and one crew member was injured. It was later found miles off Tanjung Keling with the 3,500 metric tonnes of marine fuel oil on board the tanker reported missing.
South-East Asian pirates unlike their Somali counterparts, hope to steal bunkers, palm oil and chemicals from slow moving tankers. In most cases the ships and crew is released once the bunker or cargo has been siphoned. Whilst only a fraction of the ships which sails the Straits are affected, seamen are now clearly worried as the attacks are clearly getting more violent. During the heist of the Orkim Harmony, one of the crew suffered a gunshot wound to the thigh.
The situation was different 10 years ago where South-East Asian nations appeared to have pirates on the run. As of mid August 2015, following the attack on MT JOAQUIM, more than 70 ships have fallen prey to pirate attacks in the Malacca and Singapore Straits. According to the International Chamber of Commerce’s International Maritime Bureau, during the first six months of 2015, pirates launched an attack once every two weeks on average in South-East Asian waters. In fact 68% of the 134 piracy incidents reported worldwide in the first six months of 2015 occurred in South-East Asia, compared with 53% of the 116 incidents in the same period of 2014.
Shipowners wants regional navies to beef up anti-piracy operations but they themselves are reluctant to report attacks to avoid alarming their clients and insurers. It is even more worrying where there is speculation that crew members are complicit in some hijackings. Malaysia and Indonesia law enforcement has taken the first step to address the issue of piracy. The Malaysian and Indonesian law enforcement has now formed a joint rapid deployment team aimed to tackle the surge in piracy within the region.
The Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency has deployed a helicopter-equipped special tasks and rescue (“STAR”) team at Johor Bahru. The STAR team will respond to robbery and hijacking and sometimes operate on vessels managed by other ships. Indonesia has not established any new task forces but it is stepping up its cooperation and communication with Malaysia in light of the attacks in recent months.
Shipping and security experts welcomed the latest move, but has urged for a more active approach for permanent security especially during the night. What is the solution to effectively address the surge in piracy within the region?
Patrolling at this stage would be deemed insufficient as regional partners need to come together and step up their game and eradicate piracy together. The industry as a whole must come together and merchant must follow best management practice of ship security to eradicate piracy. It would also require cooperation between regional police forces, port authorities and customs to prevent theft and hijackings to siphon cargo on board vessels.
There is also a rising voice for some quarters regarding armed guards onboard. In some camps, it has been said that armed deterrence on board has significantly contributed to a reduction of piracy on Somalia and the Gulf of Aden. In South- East Asia unfortunately, strict gun laws in a various countries that comprise South East-Asia means that armed deterrence may not be an option available to them.
Malaysia and Indonesia are heading in the right direction with the implementation of STAR. Putting in place a system which allows effective information sharing to track suspicious vessels might work hand in hand with the implementation of STAR to combat piracy within the region.
Beijing has also taken the effort to hold joint maritime drills with Malaysia in the Straits of Malacca. According to Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Yang Yujun, the drills will focus on disaster relief, search and rescue, and hijack rescue.
It remains to be seen whether the efforts of Malaysia and Indonesia will be deemed fruitful. In the meantime, Shipowners must at all cost ensure they follow the best management practice of ship security.
Source: Clyde & Co.
Hellenic Shipping News
2010============================================================German-Indonesian Early Warning System (GITEWS)
http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/301762
6 ships attacked in 6 daysJun 16, 2010
A global maritime watchdog Wednesday warned of increasing pirate attacks in the south of the South China Sea following six incidents in as many days in waters off Indonesia.
KUALA LUMPUR - A GLOBAL maritime watchdog Wednesday warned of increasing pirate attacks in the south of the South China Sea following six incidents in as many days in waters off Indonesia.
Noel Choong, head of the International Maritime Bureau's (IMB) piracy monitoring centre said the latest attack brought to 14 the number in the area so far this year. On Wednesday a Singapore-flagged container ship was boarded by six armed pirates who stole cash and property.
'The attacks that began on June 10 are concentrated in an area near Indonesia's Anambas, Natuna and Mangkai islands,' he told AFP. 'We have issued alerts on the area in the past and have again informed the Indonesian authorities, asking for an increase in patrols. The attacks go down following an increase in patrols but they slowly creep up again once patrols are reduced.'
Mr Choong said a Malaysian-registered tanker was boarded on June 10 in the area while a South Korean cargo vessel was attacked the same day.
A Cypriot container ship was boarded on June 12, a Chinese-flagged tanker was attacked on June 13 and a Singapore-registered tanker was robbed on June 15, he added.
'The pirates usually attack in the hours of darkness and they target the ship's safe, property and personal belongings,' Mr Choong added. 'Unlike Somalian pirates, the ones in the region abort their attempts when they are spotted so we advise all vessels to ensure they are vigilant to prevent such boardings.'
-- AFP.
- URL: http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_541082.html
============================================================Singapore Police to strengthen coastal defence over next few years
By Hoe Yeen Nie | Posted: 29 April 2010 1456 hrs
SINGAPORE: Singapore police are strengthening their coastal defence system to deter sea-borne threats such as smugglers and illegal immigrants.
They are also looking at further ways to make better use of resources on the ground.
The waters off Lim Chu Kang, in the north of Singapore, are a hotspot for smugglers. Currently, water barriers and fences help to keep them out.
And over the next three years, better fences will be mounted, including one that prevents intruders from getting a grip.
Another method employs high-tech wizardry to do the job.
The fibre optic wire mesh may look flimsy, but it's precisely designed to prevent people from climbing or cutting through the wire. Once the wire is snapped, sensors will trigger an alarm back at command centre, and security cameras will immediately pinpoint the exact location of the intruder.
Down south, where sea traffic is high, special barges will be deployed to serve as command and surveillance posts.
These will be supported by faster and more agile patrol boats as well more fences along the coastline.
DSP Patricia Lui, head of ops and security, Police Coast Guard, says: "In the southern waters, we have large and small boats, and it's very easy for the small boats to hide in between some of these larger vessels. Therefore we must improve our surveillance capabilities and our detection capabilities in that environment."
Police are also testing new fingerprinting technology that could help them determine, for the first time, the gender and race of a suspect.
They will also be able to find out if the suspect had handled substances like explosives or drugs.
This is all done through biochemical analysis, which costs about S$1 million.
The special nano powder used will also capture prints with about 30 per cent more detail than the type currently used. Police say this reduces the likelihood that fingerprints will be smudged. Even if they are, the chemical composition of the prints can be analysed for bio-markers that could narrow down the range of possible suspects.
At the seminar, Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng also spoke of the need to review police deployment on the ground.
Mr Wong said: "I've also directed the police to undertake a detailed study of the neighbourhood police centre and the neighbourhood police post system to take into account changes in population demographics and the operational needs of the specific communities.
"We must be prepared to re-configure the NPC and the NPP systems so as to better meet the growing and changing demand for police services."
He also spoke of the need to continue with community engagement to keep crime down, and cited as an example recent efforts against loanshark harassment in housing estates.
- CNA/jy
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Better fences to be built to deter smugglers
The waters off Lim Chu Kang are a hotspot for smugglers and currently, water barriers and fences help keep them out.
Over the next three years, better fences will be mounted. One method involves a fibre optic wire mesh designed to prevent people from climbing or cutting through the wire.
Once the wire is snapped, sensors will trigger an alarm back at command centre, and security cameras will pinpoint the intruder's location.
In the south of the island, where sea traffic is high, special barges will be deployed to serve as command and surveillance posts, supported by faster and more agile patrol boats.
Police are also testing new fingerprinting technology that could help them determine -for the first time - the gender and race of a suspect. They will also be able to find out if the suspect had handled substances like explosives or drugs.
Speaking at the police workplan seminar, Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng spoke of the need to review and reconfigure, if necessary, police deployment on the ground.
The police will undertake a detailed study of the NPP and NPC system "to take into account changes in population demographics and the operational needs of the specific communities", said Mr Wong.
2003 Dec
============================================================Have the waters in Asia gotten more dangerous?
TodayOnline
05:55 AM Apr 30, 2010
The waters of Asia seemed to have become more dangerous in recent months - judging by the January to March piracy and armed robbery figures against ships in the region.
Twenty-five incidents - 20 actual and five attempted - were reported in Asia during this period, up from 15 in the same period last year.
The increase was mainly in Category 3 (less significant) incidents - which jumped from 9 to 17 - and most occurred at the ports and anchorages of Indonesia, according to a quarterly report published by the regional cooperation to counter piracy, the ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre.
ReCAAP stands for the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia.
The only very significant (Category 1) incident reported was the hijacking of tugboat Asta and its barge Callista in February in the South China Sea. The pirates abandoned the barge, and the Philippine Coast Guard reported finding the tugboat later.
This month, however, two more incidents in the same waterway involving tugboats have been reported.
The piracy situation in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore has improved so far this year, with only one attempted incident reported in the first quarter, down from two actual incidents in the same period last year.
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Freed by pirates, he felt forsaken
TodayOnline
05:55 AM Apr 30, 2010
SINGAPORE - He was held captive for over five months by Somali pirates.
During that time, Filipino Captain Abelardo M Pacheco, Master of the chemical tanker Stolt Strength - hijacked on Nov 10, 2008, off the Gulf of Aden - was filled with apprehension "many times", but tried to focus on his responsibility towards his crew of 22. Towards the end of the five months, "we thought we didn't have any more hope" as the ransom had yet to be paid, he said.
Yet, when the ransom, believed to be over US$2 million ($2.7 million), was paid and freedom finally came on April 21 last year, Captain Pacheco felt just as desperate.
With no more bunker fuel and without security escort ships to accompany the tanker, the crew felt "forsaken" and vulnerable to another round of pirate attacks, recounted Captain Pacheco, 63, yesterday at the Piracy and Sea Robbery Conference 2010.
Reinforcing his suspicion of "double standards" of counter-piracy organisations, he spotted a European ship with two security escorts about 100km to the north.
After four days, with a transfer of fuel from a United States naval ship, the tanker finally made it to Salalah in Oman.
His first-hand account at the conference yesterday brought home the message that much still needed to be done to tackle piracy in the Gulf of Aden and the Somali coast.
Governments have to "get their acts together", said keynote speaker Mr Robert Lorenz-Meyer, president of the independent shipping association, the Baltic and International Maritime Council (Bimco). "Continuing the catch-and-release approach will not solve this problem. We must see this change to catch-and-prosecute," he said.
On the paying of ransom by shipowners to pirates, Bimco's chief maritime security officer Giles Noakes said it was the pragmatic solution to the problem.
"The de facto status quo today is that there is no alternative if you're going to rescue those seafarers", he said.
As for Captain Pacheco's observation that there appeared to be "double standards" when it came to assisting ships, Captain Chris Chambers, chief of staff of the multi-national Combined Maritime Forces, said post-release assistance has "nothing to do with (the flag of the vessel)".
"If we don't have a ship nearby we're not going to respond …We have no rule book or game plan to assist certain vessels or not assist certain vessels," he said in response to a question from the audience.
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Regional cooperation key to curbing piracy
It'll enable a more efficient coordination of rescue efforts for hijacked ships between Asia's coastal regions. -myp Fri, Apr 30, 2010
my paper, By Loh Wei Xiang
AFTER the Singapore-registered tugboat Asta was hijacked by pirates soon after leaving the city state in early February, a multinational effort was made to retrieve it.
Information flowed readily between the regional security and maritime communities in Singapore, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei and Thailand, resulting in five sightings of the barge that the hijacked vessel had been towing, with photographs taken for good measure. Within three weeks, crew, cargo and vessel were all safely recovered and the pirates nabbed.
In the first quarter of this year, there were 20 incidents of piracy and robbery against ships in Asia, up from 14 in the same period last year, reported a regional piracy information centre.
But extensive regional cooperation saw the number of more serious - or Category 1 and 2 - cases drop from five to three, said Ms Lee Yin Mui, assistant director of research for the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia Information Sharing Centre (ReCAAP ISC).
Most of the incidents recorded were in the less-serious Category 3. The classifications take into account the violence involved and type of property lost.
However, better weather in coming months could mean increased pirate activity, warned Mr Nicholas Teo, deputy director of ReCAAP ISC.
Still, Mr Robert Lorenz-Meyer, president of the Baltic and International Maritime Council (Bimco), said the piracy threat in Asia is less of a problem than in Africa precisely because Asia has platforms to exchange information and share resources.
Not all states in the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean have this capacity, he added.
Mr Lorenz-Meyer was attending an international conference here, organised by ReCAAP ISC and Bimco, to share perspectives on the world-piracy and sea-robbery situation.
A memorandum of understanding (MOU) was also signed between ReCAAP ISC and Bimco for the first time yesterday.
It will enable relevant agencies and the government authorities to more efficiently coordinate rescue efforts for hijacked ships between Asia's coastal regions.
The MOU will also pave the way for publications to guide seafarers on what to do in the event of a hijacking, and more exchange sessions, said Mr Lorenz-Meyer.
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Conference On Sea Piracy, Robbery
April 29, 2010 18:13 PM
By Zakaria Abdul Wahab
SINGAPORE, April 29 (Bernama) -- A conference on sea piracy and robbery was held here Thursday to find ways and measures to curb the menace and ensure safety of ships sailing in international waters.
The conference was jointly held by the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia Information Sharing Centre (ReCAAP ISC) and the Baltic and International Maritime Council (Bimco).
Themed 'Sharing Information, Enhancing Security', it brought together 200 stakeholders from the maritime industry, who shared their perspectives on the piracy and sea robbery situation, and explored ways and measures to improve the situation.
Lam Yi Young, representing ReCAAP ISC Governing Council, said combating piracy and armed robbery against ships was a collective responsibility shared by governments, ship owners, shipping associations and the maritime industries.
He said ReCAAP ISC would continue to leverage on its current information network to provide the platform for more timely and value-added information exchanges among all stakeholders.
He said the centre advocated multi-channel information reporting and sharing, and would continue to build on this strong foundation of networking through constant engagement and formal cooperative arrangement with like-minded organisations.
Bimco president Robert Lorenz-Meyer said close cooperation between law enforcement agencies and the shipping industries was important in curbing piracy and sea robbery.
ReCAAP ISC and Bimco later signed a memorandum of understanding on joint co-operation in the area of information exchange and mutual support and to institutionalise a platform for future collaboration, among others.
-- BERNAMA
SINGAPORE, April 29 (Bernama) -- A conference on sea piracy and robbery was held here Thursday to find ways and measures to curb the menace and ensure safety of ships sailing in international waters.
The conference was jointly held by the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia Information Sharing Centre (ReCAAP ISC) and the Baltic and International Maritime Council (Bimco).
Themed 'Sharing Information, Enhancing Security', it brought together 200 stakeholders from the maritime industry, who shared their perspectives on the piracy and sea robbery situation, and explored ways and measures to improve the situation.
Lam Yi Young, representing ReCAAP ISC Governing Council, said combating piracy and armed robbery against ships was a collective responsibility shared by governments, ship owners, shipping associations and the maritime industries.
He said ReCAAP ISC would continue to leverage on its current information network to provide the platform for more timely and value-added information exchanges among all stakeholders.
He said the centre advocated multi-channel information reporting and sharing, and would continue to build on this strong foundation of networking through constant engagement and formal cooperative arrangement with like-minded organisations.
Bimco president Robert Lorenz-Meyer said close cooperation between law enforcement agencies and the shipping industries was important in curbing piracy and sea robbery.
ReCAAP ISC and Bimco later signed a memorandum of understanding on joint co-operation in the area of information exchange and mutual support and to institutionalise a platform for future collaboration, among others.
-- BERNAMA
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