Piracy attacks in the Gulf of Aden have fallen dramatically, but this is no reason to become complacent. Jo Morgan shares her personal experience of three very different approaches to security onboard.

Maritime security threats are ever-changing and affect vessels of all types, including large yachts. Attacks are no longer confined...

The private maritime security industry has been in a state of flux for years. It has grown exponentially, rising to meet the needs of a moment but growing well beyond the actual threats represented by piracy off East Africa. It has been the subject of both praise and criticism. It has evolved in technique, adapted to the times. It has benefitted from loose – some might even argue nonexistent – regulation and oversight, while also falling subject to harsh interpretations of local laws in many instances.

The contributory factors that have led to a sharp fall in piracy in the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden are well known: greater take-up of BMP4 (Best Management Practices Version 4), increased and more effective naval presence (either as a national action or part of a multi-national task group), and an increase in the number of privately contracted armed guards through private maritime security companies (PMSCs). But these factors only act as a deterrent and the underlying causes of piracy are much more difficult to deal with and will take a much more concerted effort by nation states.

Implications for armed security in West Africa tied up in a Nigerian case involving Russians and a "floating armory," and continued volatility at the Suez Canal.

This week's security news roundup covers the trouble around the Suez Canal, continued speculation over U.S. budget talks and the one year anniversary of the Enrica Lexie incident.

An analysis on how the U.S. budget talks could affect the naval presence around the Horn of Africa. The looming risk of the Pentagon having to significantly cut its budget for the next 10 years has prompted the U.S. Department of Defense to cancel the return of a second carrier to the Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea, as well as to defer the fuelling of another nuclear carrier.

The maritime security industry is still relatively new, and was born from the need to protect mariners on board commercial ships, transiting what is known today as the High-Risk Area (HRA), where piracy has become a significant problem. The maritime security sector has seen tremendous growth over the past few years, and the traditional and still prevalent method of defending ships – placing armed guards on board – certainly acts as a deterrent. However, current methods of intelligence gathering, and the use of technologies such as cameras and tracking devices are under-utilised, and employed in a manner that neither ensures safety nor aids the prosecution of criminals.

As piracy off the coast of Somalia has increased, so has the number of private maritime security companies in operation – expanding nearly fourfold since 2008. However, there is almost no regulation of the industry, and stories of improper conduct and illegal activity have become rampant.