IN this last installment, we enter into the realms of what is usually referred to as the technical stuff with inputs from specialists:-
Security: establishing of command and control structures and staffing based on an analysis of the operational conditions and the response needs of each possible scenario, apportioning resources – money, materiel and personnel, inter-agency cooperation and authority structure, communication linkages with committees of fishermen, training, patrol, rescue and support for family in the event of death of fishermen or destruction of property at sea, use of force policy, crime scene management, review and improve guidelines to promote compliance with industry best management practices and the recommended preventative, evasive and defensive measures fishermen should follow when at sea.

From the operational stand point, it will be necessary to map out the vast expanse of waterways in question (nautical grids) to specifically
pin- point fishing grounds and embark on a trend analysis to establish attack patterns, timing, techniques used, proximity to land and escape summary. From here on determination can be made on response strategy, response time, establishment of bases and coordination with signatories in the bilateral or multi-lateral governmental agreements in pursuit of pirates.

While all of these approaches remain in the purview of the Coast Guard, the police will also have an integral part to play in the sharing of intelligence, investigative procedures and crime scene analysis. Sharing of information forms a necessary part at the level of the police force in the various countries also in pursuit of criminal (pirates) from sea to enclaves on land after their illegal acts.

This brings into focus the role, capacity and professionalism of the premier intelligence gathering unit of the Guyana Police Force, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the Joint Intelligence body.
– Is Special Branch geared to do the kind of intelligence gathering that is necessary on which specialised operations can be planned and executed? What are its focal spheres of operation and its analytical capacity that are supposed to give guidance on occurrences and present and future trends in the socio – economic and political spheres?
– Because the CID is a more visible specialised entity, its capacities, responses, successes and failures are more pronounced and can be more accurately measured. Whatever the outcome therefore, it impacts in a way that influences public opinion by which in turn it is judged. Hence the perception, if not the reality that corruption is rife leading to perversions of the investigative procedures by inducements or bribery and the subsequent contamination, loss of physical evidence or failure to turn up in court.
– What is the purpose of the coordinating body? Has there been any assessment of its role and its contribution in keeping with its intended purpose? Is it indeed the kind of “think tank” that can brain storm, analyse trends and intelligence patterns, and provide actionable propositions which can guide decisions at higher levels?

These are difficult and quite uncomfortable questions. We can continue to be the proverbial   ostrich and stick our heads in the sands or we can choose to confront our fears. It is this fear, the fear of conflict that often keeps able administrators and those who wish to play it safe in fortifying their positions, power and the “prags” that come with it, silent, trapped and unable to express healthy dissent. I am fully aware of a fact also, which can be poignantly demonstrated by a Japanese proverb that goes like this. “It is the nail that stands out which will be hammered first.”

National Frequency Management Unit (NFMU): Depending on the clusters of fishermen calculated on the basis of fishing grounds per nautical grid, radio frequencies should be released so that each fishing vessel can operate within a particular range where they can all communicate with each other and their respective sector command, patrol or rescue team. This will be of critical importance.

Political: the will to decisively deal with piracy and to relentlessly pursue all avenues of cooperation, facilitate and empower the security forces directly engaged in the anti-piracy strategy, enter into dialogue with concerned and responsible social partners while not being held hostage to processes outside of the main issue of concern – piracy.

Legal: passing of enabling legislation to effectively deal with the scourge of piracy and strengthening certain aspects of the criminal justice system in dealing with crime on the high seas, mandatory penalties, incarceration, trial process, etc.

Diplomatic: Promote anti-piracy coordination and cooperation procedures between and among states. Government to Government bilateral or multi- lateral agreements based on the commonality of issues and shared territorial maritime boundaries, convergence of economic interests based on the security, social and political impact of piracy, armed pursuit outside of territorial waters and crossing of maritime boundaries, channels of communication and joint action at the various levels – diplomatic, military, police; build capacities where necessary to bring to justice those who commit piracy and flee the jurisdiction on sea and land.

Conclusion

1. Fishermen should play an integral role in the deterrence strategy against piracy at sea. They should therefore be armed with shotguns and it should be mandatory that each boat carry a mobile or hand held radio set. Of course, they will clamour about expenses and cost as is usual, but in the long run they will realize their lives and livelihood depend on their willingness to make sacrifices for immediate and personal betterment.

2. Why mobile or hand held radio sets? Once each captain (boat) is operating on a particular frequency within the designated nautical grid, any transmission will be heard simultaneously by all boats in the particular area, including the patrols, that is assuming they are within the particular sector which they ought to be, and land based command. An attack on one boat triggers an early warning system that immediately puts on the alert all other fishing vessels in the area thereby effectively minimizing the operational scope of pirates since all boats will be on the alert and in defensive mode.

3.  Having gone this far, what is there to prevent other fishing boats from responding to distress signals and helping to fight off an attack by pirates on any of their own? Nothing! Fishermen therefore, can be mobilized at sea as their own defence shield against piracy. Because of their proximity to each other, their knowledge of the various fishing spots on the fishing grounds and affinity to each other by the mere fact that they are inextricably linked in a common fight, they are most likely to respond faster than a patrol can.

4.  My view is that Coast Guard patrols will be ineffective in preventing piracy due to the scarcity of resources and the vastness of the area to be monitored. Let’s assume, the nautical grid shows three or four fishing grounds or clusters, would there be resources to patrol each area separately? If these hurdles can be overcome initially, can they be sustained in the long run? All this however will be determined by an objective analysis of the data at hand which can easily allow for a shift from one mode to another.

5.  The Coast Guard then, will operate on the basis more as support and rescue/ pursuit team since they will not be the first responders to attacks against fishermen. This can change, once the resources are forthcoming.

6.  Whatever system is put in place, there must be rigid oversight and management least it falls into rot and become a sink hole for the absorption of resources, primarily finances. I have seen this happening in too many cases where resources meant for specific operations become instruments that serve more personal than organizational interests or remain grossly underutilized. The result is an inability to provide the kind of service the organization was originally created for and disenchantment. Strict control measures will have to be put in place to monitor use of Government property, especially fuel, whether diesel or gasoline. Infractions will have to be nipped in the bud. Deal with issues when they are mole hills and you’ll never have mountains to move.

7. Police approach to dealing with complaints on stolen property, or stolen property – engine, boats, engine parts, etc will have to undergo radical transformation. Procedures must be put in place to ensure fishermen retrieve their property as early as possible after discovery. Immediate and condign actions must be taken if police seek inducement for return of property. Once it is established they are involved in the fencing of stolen fishermen property, accepting bribes to cover up for thefts or are working hand in gloves with pirates, they must be brought before the courts.

8. Special courts should be established to deal with such matters so as to expedite the trial process, jail and fine (mandatory penalties) either pirates or their police cohorts once found guilty.

Hopefully the ideas contained in these four presentations will be of some assistance in the fight against piracy. If not, at the least, it is my ardent wish that they can serve to be a catalyst on which informed debates can be initiated with the aim of finding common solutions to our common problems. Security is not only for the realms of experts. Until you and me, the ordinary people make security their business crime will continue to follow us as night follows day.