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Aircraft
5 Some aircraft are used to support the patrolling effort of the threè States, especially by Malaysia. However, the Group felt that more use could be made of such assets, especially night flying helicopters with suitable radars, sighting devices and illuminating systems. The advantage of helicopters is their higher speed over fast pirate craft and their ability to hover while investigating suspicious contacts. Also the dual advantage of surprise and the ability to illuminate possible malefactors have a good deterrent value. Historically, pirates and their craft have actually been detected, boarded and arrested by helicopter crews on the high seas (HMS Albion, South China Sea, 1962). Accordingly, it is recommended that States consider the use of such means for anti-piracy operations especially in Malaysia and Indonesia with their large sea areas. The restricted and very crowded Singaporean coastal waters can probably be covered as effectively by surface craft.
Covert operations
6 Naturally, police forces and other agencies conduct covert operations in pursuit of pirates and armed robbers at sea. These operations are not addressed in this report except to say that masters of vessels should be aware that unlit fast moving targets seen on radar, while not necessarily hostile, should be reported by radio. RCCS and security forces can then judge whether to react or not.
Problems of identification
7 One of the major problems facing the security forces of the three States is that of identifying pirate vessels at night in the crowded waters of the Malacca Strait and its adjacent areas. Another identification problem arises if a ship reports an attack when the security force unit is faced with literally hundreds of possible ships any one of which could be the victim ship. Some possible solutions to these two separate problems of identification are listed below.
Identification of pirate craft at night
7.1 Security forces should consider the use of modern night vision equipment, which can range from Thermal Imagers (TI) down to night vision binoculars of modern design. Such aids will help the security forces to pick up small, hot and fast moving targets and the defence industry markets such equipment which could be suitable.
Identification of a victim ship under attack
7.2 As has been previously suggested, ships under attack should occult or flash their "not under command" lights, not only to alert adjacent ships to their light and consequent hazard of collision, but also to indicate their precise position to security forces units in the area.
Co-ordinated patrols
8 The commendable organization set up by all three Malacca Strait States in establishing co-ordinated patrols between countries whose territorial or coastal waters abut is judged by the Group to be the most significant factor in the reduction of acts of piracy and armed robbery in these areas. Accordingly, it is strongly recommended that this co-ordination be both
W/9181e
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