Our good friend Giles Heimann has recently been appointed chairman of the Save Our Seafarers campaign an industry wide initiative to rally politicians to do something concrete to combat piracy.
During the past four years thousands of seafarers have been subjected to all sorts of abuses after being been taken hostage by pirates. Punishments have included being hung over the side by the ankles, incarceration in the freezer room and having cables tied around the genitals.
Many seafarers are too traumatised to work again after experiencing these torture tactics. One leading tanker owner told us last month that they have lost eight captains this year who have come ashore to escape the threat of piracy.
World Maritime Day saw Pope Benedict XVI meet the families of victims of piracy, and according to Save Our Seafarers, some governments are now considering giving formal legal backing to the use of private armed guards for their vessels.
For more details on the campaign and to sign the petition, register your support and send an email to your government visit:
