Chronology of Terrorist Attacks and Other Criminal Actions Against Maritime Targets (From Violence at Sea, P 63-85, 1986, Brian A H Parritt, ed. - See NCJ-105206)

• NCJ Number: 105208
• Author(s): B M Jenkins; B Cordes; K Gardela; G Petty
• Date Published: 1986
• Length: 23 pages
• Sale Source: International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Publishing SA
• Publication Type: Historical Overview
• Language: English
• Country: France

Annotation

Following a review of the maritime targets of terrorism and other criminal actions, the constraints on such actions, and the current capabilities of terrorist groups in this area, this article presents a chronology of 106 maritime events involving guerrillas, terrorists, or pirates between 1960 and 1983.

Abstract

Potential maritime targets include oil tankers, LNG carriers, cargo ships, passenger liners, fishing boats, ferries, naval craft, and pleasure boats. Harbors contain oil and LNG terminals, refineries, regasification plants, and huge petrochemical installations. Constraints against terrorist attacks on such targets include difficult tactical problems and the ease with which authorities can isolate the targets from mass media access, thus depriving terrorists of the publicity they seek. Currently active terrorist groups have a limited capacity for low-level maritime operations. Targets covered in the chronology include passenger liners, freighters, tankers, a trawler, and port facilities. Actions include ships hijacked, destroyed by mines and bombs, attacked with bazookas, and sunk under mysterious circumstances; cargoes removed; crews taken hostage; and extortion plots against ocean liners and offshore platform. Cuban emigres, Palestinian groups, and the Irish Republican Army account for nearly 40 percent of the terrorist attacks outlined in the chronology. 4 footnotes.