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Piracy Expert: Maersk Alabama One Slice of a Huge Pirate Problem

Roger Hawkes of Global Industries discusses why some of the debate around piracy this month is misplaced, and how piracy has been a problem for years

By , Senior Editor

April 27, 2009 — CSO —

The issue of piracy may be making headlines this month, but Roger Hawkes, director of corporate security for Global Industries Ltd., has been fighting piracy and trying to stop the problem for most of his career.

Global Industries, based in Houston, provides offshore and maritime construction to the oil and gas industry. Hawkes has been head of security for the company for over two years, but spent 11 years in the U.S. Navy. He spent one tour commanding a special operations ship that conducted antipiracy patrols in West Africa. He has also consulted for organizations on maritime operations and conducted assessments on how to prevent a security event from occurring at sea.

"I've been living this full time," said Hawkes, in a recent interview with CSO. "I tell people my main job is hunting and fighting pirates and they look at me like it's funny. But now that it is en vogue, people are looking at me a bit differently."

While the incident earlier this month involving the U.S. cargo ship Maersk Alabama has brought highlighted piracy and brought it into the global forefront, Hawkes says the problem has always been there. He hopes once the headlines fade, attention and efforts to deal with piracy in world hotspots will continue. He spoke with CSO about what he thinks needs to be done in global waters to prevent more ships from falling prey (See also: How Shipping Companies Can Fight Pirates).

Is all of this attention that is now being given to piracy a good thing?
I think within the shipping industry it has had the attention and been under discussion. It probably warranted an elevation in discussion. But now because of the new media focus on it, everyone is giving an opinion on what they think the solution to piracy is, whether they have the legitimate background to do it or not. What happened with the Maersk Alabama was a sensational rescue and a big story. The fact that it was the U.S. that did it even makes it more of a story. But it almost sensationalizes the piracy issue when it has been an issue that has been around for years and the industry has been dealing with it for years. Now the focus is by the media on specific incidences that raise it up to everybody and now outside of the industry there are many people trying to lend their opinion on how to solve the problem.

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