62/15/2
2.
6
Apart from the deaths and injury which have been caused by these attacks, cargo has been damaged and stolen, and ships damaged. One shipmaster reacted under threat of attack by throwing an activated Epirb into the sea and another by firing ships rockets at attackers. On several occasions attempted
boarding has been prevented by alterations of course.
7
The new reporting system instituted by the Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre has been effective in gathering information on pirate attacks. Hong Kong considers that this should continue, and be introduced by any Administration which may not have already done so.
8
Reports of attacks suggest that the increasing use of firearms against merchant ships is posing an unacceptable risk to the safety of life, particularly on tankers. This threat would be reduced if the availability of firearms was effectively controlled. Hong Kong therefore proposes that the Committee considers calling on all Member States to take steps to control the carriage of firearms on their coastal vessels.
9
The Committee is invited to consider and decide
as
appropriate.
2.
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