But they often cause collateral
damage as well. Pirates have been known to dump noxious cargo into
the sea, or tie up the crew and let an oil tanker steam ahead, its
navigational aides smashed, or tamper with substances dangerous to
themselves and to others, or cast crew and passengers adrift in tiny
rafts with little food and water.
Many shipowners resorted to installing on-board satellite tracking
systems, such as Shiploc, and aircraft-like "black boxes". A
bulletproof life vest, replete with an integral jagged edged knife,
was on display in the millennium exhibition at the Millennium Dome
two years ago. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is
considering to compel shipowners to tag their vessels with visibly
embossed numbers in compliance with the Safety of Life at Sea
Convention.
The IMB also advises shipping companies to closely examine the
papers of crew and masters, thousands of whom carry forged
documents.
In 54 maritime administrations surveyed last year by the Seafarers'
International Research Centre, Cardiff University in Wales, more
than 12,000 cases of forged certificates of competency were
unearthed.
Many issuing authorities are either careless or venal or both. The
IMB recently accused the Coast Guard Office of Puerto Rico for
issuing 500 such "suspicious" certificates.
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