27 With regard to the many different agencies involved with security matters in the port, it was recognized that this could lead to bureaucracy and communication problems resulting in some officers not receiving the information they needed for the effective discharge of their duties. The Federal Police informed the experts of a new management with the Navy which would allow its officers to patrol the port area with their own boats. They believed that this would enable them to board a ship on receipt of a call to carry out investigations without going through any formalities.
28 To assist the police to improve their reaction time when they receive calls from shipmasters of ships under attack while at anchor, the mission discussed the provisions of MSC circular 597/Rev.1, particularly the use of Coast Radio Stations and MRCCs for relaying calls from the ships to the law enforcement agencies. The outcome of the Brasilia seminar and workshop (20 to 22 October 1998) was discussed and members of the delegation involved in security in the port were pleased to learn of the planned IMO FAL seminars in Latin America. During conversations with Federal Police representatives in Rio de Janeiro, they expressed the opinion that such a seminar and workshop could take place in Brazil because of the drug-related aspects of maritime crime in the region.
29 There was obvious concern it the Brazilian delegation at the adverse publicity resulting from criminal acts in their ports. The experts were informed that, to help deal with the problem, some ship agents were hiring armed guards to patrol their ships while in port. While this would deter some criminals from boarding such ships, it was observed that the number of companies employing armed guards on ships was still too low to make a significant impact on the problem as a whole.
30 With regard to extending the use of firearms on board ships the IMO delegation informed the authorities of IMO's position on the subjects, i.e. that:
- the carriage of firearms might encourage attackers to come equipped with superior fire-power, thereby escalating an already dangerous situation;
- firearms onboard ships might themselves become an attractive target for attackers;
- the use of firearms requires special training and aptitudes and the risk of accidents with firearms carried onboard ships is high; and
- in some jurisdictions, killing a national might have unforeseen consequences even for persons who believe that they have acted in self-defence.
31 In summing up the discussion, the IMO representative thanked the host country representitives for the detailed information provided concerning armed robbery situation within their county's areas of national jurisdiction and for sharing with the IMO group their concerns regarding armed robbery in the region. He expressed appreciation for the information provided on the various governmental agencies and the resources at their disposal dedicated to preventing and suppressing armed robbery against ships.
He highlighted the openness and frankness of the discussions and expressed the hope that the concerted effort of all concerned would soon bear hit and the attacks of pirates and armed robbers against ships in the region would soon be reduced to the maximum possible extent.
