The Spanish tuna seiners, mostly Basque fishing in Indian Ocean fishing grounds and face the constant threat of Somali pirates must hire private security if they are to carry armed men on board to deter any attack. The ‘number two’ of the Ministry of Defense, Constantino Mendez, made clear yesterday in Vitoria that “Spanish law does not allow” the presence of military security duties aboard private media.
The owners, feed up after three recent pirate attacks on ships Alakrana, Campolibre, Alai and Intertuna II-who escaped by putting sea-have claimed that this is the only possible way to feel safe in the dangerous waters of the Indian Ocean. But it must be changing her mind.
Secretary of State for Defense said yesterday in Vitoria, where he met with the counselor on the Environment of the Basque Government, Pilar Unzalu, what are the rules of play for the Spanish owners. On one hand, must rely on Atalanta European military operation in which Spain is working with a frigate and a reconnaissance aircraft based in Mombasa (Kenya) and is “permanently adjusted ‘to give more security to ships, according to Defense.
And secondly, should begin to take protective action. That is, hire private security. “It is a must in any private industry under risk, and where he is,” Mendez said.
It is this second step in which the central and Basque governments have already begun to dump their efforts. Basque councilor and ministerial representative announced yesterday that both executives will “study” the empowerment of a line of financial aid to co-owners with the hiring of guards for their ships.
The plan has yet to be defined, both in regard to the participation of government as the requirements to access them, though Unzalu nuance that aid is “exceptional” and “specific” for vessels fishing in fisheries at risk. The public representatives could not guarantee that the line of aid may be available for this fishing season.
In the same vein, Secretary of State for Defense announced yesterday that Spain has extended the operational capabilities of private security firms for cases like this. In January a resolution was passed that authorized the Spanish fishing have armed protection on board, but with the limitation that could carry only handguns. That same Monday, said Mendez, the Interior has issued a new resolution extending the authorization and allows private security companies to enlist in ships’ precision rifles, “apparently more suited to tackle the threat pirate.
“Absolute Effectiveness “
Prison guards who are hired by the shipowners may, therefore, to use long-range rifles to prevent collisions. It said the number two defense, a type of weapon “according to the threat” and “total effective” in such situations. The private security forces, recalled Mendez in Spain are not allowed to use military weapons.
The authorities plan to continue their contacts with tuna-owners of the 17 Spanish vessels currently operating in the area, to inform them of these legal changes and progress in the definition of aid for the hiring of self-protection. Defense owners also will detail the changes in the operation Atalanta. Yesterday, as Constantine said Mendez, the headquarters of the Spanish contribution ordered to the frigate Canary pre-authorization of the international command to leave work to accompany merchant ships along the corridor of Somalia and is close to the fishing grounds where the fishing Spanish ships with their presence to deter pirates.
Constantino Méndez considered “unreasonable” complaints by masters of Basque vessels, who are demanding a greater closeness of the frigate to the areas where the fleet operates. “The area to be covered is three times the Mediterranean”, argued the defense official. “It is very difficult to ensure the optimal conditions of presence” in such a vast territory.
