News in brief February 2010
Piracy update, no armament, risk zones, disability compensation, new ITF-coordinator, Haiti appeal
Disturbing increase in pirate attacks
Last year there were 227 attacks by pirates off Africa’s Horn.
In 2008 the number of attacks totalled 141. This steep increase took place
despite extensive naval and military patrolling of these waters. According to
reports in international media, Somalian pirates continue to hold at least
eleven ships captured and 270 crew members as hostages. Up to the present time
a total of 1500 crew members have been held hostage in the hope of ransom
payments.
No to armaments
The discussion concerning armaments onboard ships has again flared up following
the many attacks. The Norwegian Maritime Officers Association (NMOA) maintains
the viewpoint that crew members should not be armed.
“Firstly, we are of the opinion that armaments on board can cause an
escalation of this violence. For the same reason we do not think that hiring
armed personnel is a good solution either. Secondly, civilian crew members have
no training in the use of weapons”, says Section Manager Bjørn
Haave in the Norwegian Maritime Officers Association. He believes that the
safety of the crew must always receive first priority. If certain waters prove
to be too dangerous, ships should steer clear of the area.
No extension of risk zones
The Norwegian Shipowners’ Association has turned down the demand
of the Seafarers Organisations for an extension of the risk area off the Gulf
of Aden (GOA). The Seafarers Organizations demanded an extension eastwards from
58 degrees East to 61 degrees East and from 400 PM to 650 PM from the Somalian
East Coast down to 10 degrees South. This demand was a result of the recent
worrying reports from the Emergency Secretariat in the Norwegian
Shipowners’ Association.
Chinese Officers charged
Two Chinese officers from “Full City” have been charged for breach
of the Norwegian Pollution Act and the Act concerning the safety of ships at
sea. The main hearing is to take place on 12 April. “Full City” was
anchored off Langesund in Telemark when it broke away and went aground in bad
weather on 31 July. After several rounds in the Norwegian Courts, the two
Chinese officers were allowed to travel home to China before Christmas.
Agreement about Compensation in case of disability or death
Norwgian Maritime Officers’ Association and Norwegian
Shipowners’ Association has signed a new agreement on Compensation in
case of disability or death caused by war or piracy attack.
Read the protocol here.
Angelica Gjestrum becomes ITF Co-ordinator in Norway
ITF co-ordinator in Norway, Nils Kristian Pedersen, retires on 1. April.
Angelica Gjestrum is appointed new co-ordinatorr from the same date. Gjestrum
is presently assistant co-ordinator in Norway.
Haiti - Humanitarian Appeal
The ITF is urging affiliates to raise funds to support humanitarian
aid efforts by local unions in the Dominican Republic crossing the border into
Haiti with essential items.
Funds can be sent to the International Trade Union Confederation, ITUC who have
launched a trade union appeal for earthquake-stricken Haiti, in cooperation
with its regional organisation for the Americas, TUCA. The ITUC informs that
funds raised under the appeal will in the first instance be used to provide
humanitarian assistance via the ITUC affiliates in the Dominican Republic,
CASC, CNTD and CNUS. The three Dominican Republic organisations have opened up
their local trade union offices to collect funds and essential items, which are
being trucked across the border into Haiti, in cooperation with the
ITUC’s Haitian affiliate the CTH. In addition to this support, it is
anticipated that funds will be contributed to the Red Cross appeal for
Haiti.
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