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LETTERS CONTINUED… OLD MATES Dear Sir Yet another great issue. Yes, where have all those years gone. It seems just a few years ago we were both in the Navy. Congratulations on keeping up the standard of your magazine. Thanks, mate. Bryan Shankland, Master SOMALI PIRATES Dear Sir Somali pirates continue to operate with relative impunity off the Horn of Africa, despite the best efforts of multi-national naval task forces stationed in the area. This situation is likely to continue for the foreseeable future. Are current anti-piracy operations the best practice in dealing with maritime predators? The weight of evidence gathered over many centuries of naval warfare would indicate not. The current practice of using heavily armed warships to patrol shipping channels has invariably proved to be ineffective. There is irrefutable evidence that the defeat of maritime predators can only be achieved by sailing ships in escorted convoys. This is an offensive rather than defensive measure. As the seas empty, large convoys present as a wall of shipping to predators and any engagement is usually on the defender's terms, rather than the attacker's. It is not necessary to deploy cruisers, destroyers or frigates armed with guided missiles to escort convoys against pirates armed with AK47s and rocket-propelled grenades From a local perspective, the Royal New Zealand Navy's offshore patrol vessels would be more useful and cost-efficient than using ANZAC class frigates. Work in Comfort John Deere 8.1 Litre Engines - 235 /300 /330 hp Commercial Rating - Long stroke, low speed quiet & smooth operation - Easy to service - Proven reliability From $38,250 +GST* *while stocks last Since time immemorial, admirals have sought to acquire the most powerful warships, the more bells and whistles the better. Consequently, there is a worldwide shortage of what may be termed utility escorts to protect convoys. The answer to this conundrum is the ubiquitous, humble trawler. These vessels tend to be built from the same construction manual as brick outhouses and have a proven history of naval service. During the Second World War, anti-submarine trawlers served as convoy escorts in practically all the naval theatres. In more recent times, the Icelandic Coast Guard made very effective use of ice-strengthened trawlers during the Third Cod War. And in the Falklands War, requisitioned trawlers saw active service with the Royal Navy and the Armada Republica Argentina. Lightly armed trawlers with upgraded sensors would be more than adequate to protect convoys from pirate attacks. These escort trawlers could well be manned by reservists. Because of their robust construction, trawlers can be most useful when engaged at close quarters. The Icelandic Coast Guard developed a rather nasty but useful tactic whereby their trawlers swung their sterns into the sides of Royal Navy frigates, ripping open their hulls like a tin opener. It is now time to change the focus of the anti-piracy operation off the Horn of Africa toward protecting shipping operations and using trawlers sourced from the world's rotten rows to constitute a multi-national convoy escort force. Murray Dear, Hamilton SURVEY NELSON Dear Sir By now, most of your readers will be aware Survey Nelson Ltd recently decided to voluntarily cease operating as a safe ship management company. This follows long-running concerns held by the director of Maritime New Zealand about the company's application of safety standards on vessels under its watch. In response to this development, Maritime NZ immediately initiated contingency plans to support vessel operators affected by Survey Nelson's decision. Our focus is now on ensuring affected operators get the assistance they need to make the transition to a new SSM company. Our aim is to make this process as smooth as possible, and we will be working with them and SSM companies over the coming months to achieve this. Readers will also probably be aware that Maritime NZ has, at its own expense, been trying to assist Survey Nelson to address safety concerns regarding its operation for a number of years. We appreciate this process has at times caused uncertainty for some vessel operators and we regret any disruption this may have caused. However, vessel operators are entitled to expect and receive John Deere Marine Engines Work in comfort and confidence with the reliable, powerful line of John Deere ma- rine engines. If you are building a new vessel or re-powering one, the quiet John Deere engine is worthy of the most important compartment - your engine room. John Deere propulsion systems cover a wide range of power ratings and deliver 75-750hp (56-559KW). John Deere gives you more horsepower at a lower-rated speed - as well as more torque - without extra weight or size. Trust in John Deere for reliability, low noise, fuel efficiency and a great service / support network. Your SOUTH ISLAND & Wellington John Deere Marine Engine Dealer Gordon Handy Machinery Ltd Warwick Street, Blenheim Ph: 03 579 1111 Email: chrisj@gordonhandy.co.nz 6 Professional Skipper November/December 2011 quality, expert advice from their SSM companies. If they aren't getting the service they are paying for, then they are being let down. Furthermore, the director of Maritime NZ must have confidence that SSM companies and surveyors, who are charged with acting "in her shoes", are fulfilling their obligations properly and vessels are safe. Against that background, Maritime NZ will be working to ensure any former Survey Nelson vessels left without an SSM company make the transition to a new company within the next six months. We will also be ensuring that all former Survey Nelson vessels not yet seen by us are inspected within that period. In the meantime, information for anyone affected by the company's withdrawal from the SSM system is available on www. maritimenz.govt.nz, or contact myself or Arthur Jobard, manager safety management systems, on 0508 22 55 22. Sharyn Forsyth, general manager maritime services, Maritime New Zealand VIP.PS83 S8 S83