Implementation of Simple Measures Aboard U.S. Vessels has Resulted in the Decline in the Success of Somali Pirate Attacks

19 Mar 2010 21:30 Africa/Lagos

State Department Official Says Implementation of Simple Measures Aboard U.S. Vessels has Resulted in the Decline in the Success of Somali Pirate Attacks

Dateline/City: March 19, 2010, Washington DC


Thomas M. Countryman, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs


(Summary) - Countryman says U.S. Vessels must practice the rules set by the U.S. Coast Guard and Maritime Administration for their safety.


"On the United States side, the U.S. Coast Guard and the Maritime Administration have required U.S. flagged vessels to employ these vessel practices when they are performing very important missions of delivering United States food assistance to the horn of Africa. We think it has worked well employing these relatively simple measures, it has proven to be, we think, the important factor in a decline in the success of pirate attacks in the region."


VIDEO PROVIDED BY: U.S. Department of State

Media Contact: Nancy M. Riley , +1-202-504-6406, rileynm@state.gov