As the hunt for the gang which has hijacked a yacht along with a British couple intensified RFIB Group launched a new scheme with Maritime Asset Security & Training Ltd (MAST), a specialist maritime security company, and Saladin Group (Saladin), which is describes as “a total protection service for shipowners to safeguard against piracy”.

The product will offer shipowners a three-pronged approach to “ensure total protection of their vessels, crew, cargo and passengers” according to RFIB:

MAST will provide guards, either armed or unarmed, for the transit period, train the crew in the action to take in the event of an attack and ensure the vessel is fully secure.

Saladin will provide an instant response service which includes crisis management assistance, negotiating with the pirates, vessel overwatch, proof of life and delivery of ransom monies to secure the safe release of hostages.

RFIB will provide Marine Kidnap and Ransom coverage to reimburse payments made for safe release, insured through Lloyd’s underwriters.

Hugh Champion, Managing Director of RFIB, Non-Marine said:  “The focus of our combined offer is to give the marine market a cost effective solution which, at the same time, endeavours to ensure that insured vessels, cargo, crew and passengers reach their destination safely with their security and assets protected from all eventualities.

We are delighted to be working with two of the world’s premier security companies and look forward to reducing our clients’ premiums through the offering.”

The product was announced as Aon warned that conditions in the region were worsening as the piracy gangs start to increase activity follow9ing the monsoon season.

Clive Stoddart, head of Aon’s kidnap and ransom team, has told ship owners to review insurance cover if transiting the Gulf of Aden or parts of the Indian Ocean - specifically the Somali Basin.

"Traditional marine insurance policies do not always cover piracy so we’ve seen an increased interest from ship owners for specialist marine kidnap and ransom policies,” he said. “These provide guaranteed access to advice at the time of an incident in addition to reimbursement of the ransom, cost of delivery of ransom and legal costs that may occur during a period of illegal seizure.

“Ship owners are realising that even though the Gulf of Aden is relatively well protected, the Somali Basin is a vast and relatively unprotected body of water so they must improve their defensibility. Insurers have in turn shifted their focus on the more exposed Somali Basin from the Gulf of Aden.

“Guile and determination from pirates, combined with inadequate preparation on board vessels, has allowed for three confirmed cases in less than one week. A recent statistic from the Maritime Liaison Office (MARLO) suggested that, as of two weeks ago, 30 out of 31 incidents could have been avoided had best practice been invoked.

“We’ve also been talking with the UK Maritime Trade Operations on advising ship owners as much more can be done in the area of training and prevention.”