Transcript Slide 1
Rear Admiral Philip Wilcocks CB DSC Chief Of Staff Capability Commander-in-Chief, Fleet Royal Navy “How inappropriate to call this plant Earth when it is quite clearly ocean” Arthur C. Clarke Sea 70.8% Land 29.2% Coastline Global 535,000 m EU 40,700 m UK 7,750 m Strategic Shock Previous • Black Death impact on 14th C Europe • Rapid demise of the Warsaw Pact 1989 • The attack on the USA in Sep 2001 Future • Climate change • Globalization • Global Inequality Global trade routes & Choke points RN vs Illegal use of Sea Royal Navy in cocaine drug bust The Royal Navy ship carried out a • CD operations – Caribbean – Mediterranean – Atlantic – Arabian Sea dawn raidThe Royal Navy has carried out its fifth drugs bust in three months. RFA Wave Ruler seized 2.9 tonnes of cocaine in a raid on the rogue Venezuelanregistered boat Oliana 1, some 620 nautical miles from Barbados. The Royal Navy said the seizure made RFA Wave Ruler the "most successful" British drug ship of recent years. Defence Secretary Des Browne said "dedication and skill" prevented a "staggering 11 tonnes of cocaine" from reaching the UK and Europe. BBC 29 Nov 06 Total RN drug seizure 2002 – 2006 Value $3 Bn Illegal use of Sea • People Trafficking /Economic Migrants – Arabian sea – Med – Atlantic RN vs Illegal use of Sea • Royal Navy search for 'hijacked ship' Counter Piracy – Horn of Africa – Gulf of Aden • • The ship is said to have been seized off Bossasso The Royal Navy has launched a search for a British ship reportedly hijacked off the north-east coast of Somalia. “Energy policy …. could be as crucial to our country’s future as defence” Tony Blair 23 May 2007 The enemies are climate change and the precariousness of future supplies Current Challenges • Prevent further environmental degradation of the sea • Encourage sustainable economic activity in a secure environment • Ensure political commitment to maritime issues • Restore a sense of maritime identity Illegal use of Sea • • • • • How is it policed? Impact of TW/EEZ High Seas Constraints of International Law Rules of Engagement The World’s Navies are the only High Seas “Policemen” today – not a core task though Natural disaster response • Personnel trained • Ships carry relief stores • Naval contribution – Equipment – Logistic Lift – Willing and trained personnel – Command & Control Situational Awareness • Underpins all efforts • Allows the authorities to see what is happening • Fused all source information • Real time and analysis • Must be interagency The Issues • • • • • • Political acceptance & Commitment Legal coherence & Rules of Engagement Information flow Interagency - ability & intent to act Agreed outcomes Adequate Resources Situational Awareness • Fundamental to operations • All source product is key • Question “unusual activity” • Interaction with other maritime users is essential to gain “ground truth” Illegal commodity routes PEOPLE Scientific Support • Post 2004 Tsunami Analysis – HMS SCOTT available in area – Support to civilian scientists – Fast forwarding of data and products to agencies Tsunami in Europe? • La Palma – Cumbre Vieja volcano • EU North Atlantic seaboard at risk • Contingency response?