PETALING JAYA: Quick action by the Royal Malaysian Navy’s elite team in rescuing MT Bunga Laurel will send a strong message of deterrence to pirates in the Gulf of Aden.
Maritime Institute of Malaysia senior fellow Nazery Khalid said the action by the Pasukan Khas Laut (Paskal) proved Malaysia’s resolve in safeguarding its maritime interests and its commitment to fighting piracy.
“It will send a strong message to pirates that their crime will be met with a decisive response,” he said.
“The incident also highlights the need for shipowners to exercise caution when sailing in the Gulf of Aden.
Under control: The commandos watching over the Somali pirates. Shipowners, he added, should also ensure their vessels were equipped with a security alert system to enable communication with naval forces on patrol in times of distress.
An official with the London-based International Maritime Bureau (IMB) said, prior to any operation, the rescue team should first ensure the ship’s crew was safe before boarding the vessel.
“In this case, I believe the crew had already locked themselves in a citadel or a room where they could survive for three to four days. If the crew was already held captive, any drastic move by the authorities would have put their lives at risk.
“From what has been reported, I believe the crew of the Malaysian chemical tanker had already locked themselves in a room,” he told The Star yesterday.
The official said there were similar rescue operations last year.
According to the IMB website, four vessels had been hijacked this year alone. Thirty-one vessels are still being held by Somali pirates.
The Gulf of Aden and Red Sea have been identified as piracy hotspots.
Pirates firing automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades would attempt to board and hijack the vessels for a ransom.
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