GMATS to Hold Piracy Seminar in June

JOC Staff |
KINGS POINT, N.Y., May 12, 2010 — The Global Maritime and Transportation School at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy along with co-sponsor American Military University will convene its Second Annual Piracy Countermeasure Seminar on June 23-24. The seminar will take place aboard the academy’s scenic waterfront campus conveniently located in Kings Point, N.Y., on the North Shore of Long Island just outside New York City. The two-day seminar will offer practical analysis of the maritime industry’s newest, best practices as well as proven seaborne preventive steps developed in response to current piracy operations off Somalia and other choke points and piracy hot spots around the globe. The first day will examine piracy’s socioeconomic, business and political dynamic. Topics to be covered include the insurance industry’s response to the evolving threat to vessels, cargo and personnel. Also being discussed are the effectiveness of the existing international maritime security infrastructure and naval coalitions. Company piracy incident policy and procedure, including countermeasures and techniques will be evaluated. The program will review media reaction and piracy's impact on crew members’ families as well as corporate responsibility and liability. Day two focuses on at-sea operational and tactical procedures, highlighted by a practical waterfront demonstration of emerging technology along with a featured hostage ransom negotiation. The day and seminar will conclude with critical analysis and discussion. Please contact GMATS at 516-726-6100 or on the Web at http://gmats.usmma.edu for registration. Exhibitors will receive a 50 percent reduced fee for attendance. For additional information on custom training and offsite locations, please contact Hilary Flanagan, marketing and business development manager, at 516-726-6151 or via e-mail at hilary.flanagan@usmma.edu.