Introduction
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40
Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Circulars - Maritime Safety Committee - MSC.1/Circular.1404 – Guidelines to Assist in the Investigation of the Crimes of Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships – (23 May 2011) - Annex – Guidelines to Assist in the Investigation of the Crimes of Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships - Introduction

Introduction

 Member Governments and the international community have taken positive steps in an effort to curb the crimes of piracy and armed robbery against ships. However compared to the scale of the problem, the increasing physical, mental and sexual violence towards the crew and the ever increasing extent of sea area threatened by these pirates, the efforts remain limited in their outcome.

 Governments are urged to take a more robust stance towards dealing effectively with these crimes and to provide more assistance to vessels transiting pirate-infested waters as well as after the vessels are released after prolonged periods in captivity.

 The capture, prosecution and sentencing of pirates and armed robbers is probably the most appropriate deterrent action available to Governments. A vessel being released after prolonged captivity is likely to have a lot of potential evidence which, if collected, recorded and maintained in an appropriate manner, could supplement a prosecution case at a later date. To do this, Governments are encouraged to have trained investigators available who can collect the available evidence from a vessel immediately after its release. Failing this, every effort should be made to have an investigator available at the vessel's first port of call after release.

Parent topic: Annex – Guidelines to Assist in the Investigation of the Crimes of Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships
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