Good afternoon,
I do not think I have taken the opportunity to commend your team in their protection during the recent pirate attack onboard [vessel name removed], I know it was a very traumatic time for the crew but they were also very happy as they had a team of professionals there to protect them through what turned out to be a successful outcome.
CSO, 12th January 2012

After the alarm was sounded all deck officers on the bridge. 1 Officer on radar keeping Master updated on bearing speed ETA of skiffs. 1 Officer handling communication and the other 1 noting all events and times. All lookouts provided so much support on tracking skiffs positions and actions.
From the time alerts were broadcast by all available means, ship’s phone start to ring one after the other coming from NATO/UKMTO/COALITION FORCES/GOAGT.

It was one hell of an experience to say the least and it was a very agitating moment for me and my crew. My chest kept pounding rapidly but keeps my orders clear and precise. AST were all calm and focused. Team leader Mr J Walsh a true professional didn’t stop providing me with valuable advice and never did anything without my express permission. This particular emergency has given me an overview of what my crew is capable of doing under stress and I am so proud of every one of them. Now it can be said, the ship and my crew are safe and in high spirit but agitated and stressed. Everyone will live with what we have just gone through.

I want to emphasize this, without the armed security on board and their weapons THE OUTCOME COULD BE VERY MUCH DIFFERENT. We are one of the statistics by now.
Captain, 12th January 2012

“Good day,
On behalf V.S’s, and owners of W, we would like to thank GOAGT for the assistance, co-operation and advice given during recent voyage from Malta to Galle. I know the vessel crew felt a lot happier having them on board for this transit. A lot has been learnt and can be put to good use on this and other vessels we operate.

We look forward to working with you again, should our other LNG vessels transit this area, and we will readily pass on your details and our recommendations to other vessel operators within V.S’s.” (26/08/2011)

I ALSO THANK  OUR OWNER FL, OUR TECHNICAL MANAGERS & OUR CSO- CAPT F. N, ON BEHALF OF ALL CREW IN  SELECTING A PROFESSIONAL COMPANY LIKE YOU (GOAGT) & HOPE THAT WE WILL GET SUCH SUPPORT  WHENEVER WE TRANSIT GOA   AS I THINK THAT THIS(ARMED GUARDS) IS THE BEST MEASURE THAT WE CAN TAKE AGAINST THE PIRATES IN THIS AREA . (15/07/2011)

To G.O.A.G.T.
We had a company of your crew under TB’s leadership with 5/31/2011 to 11/7/2011.

For this period, they have shown here the level of work on safety on a vessel, and ship discipline which was at the highest level.

Accuracy and manners – an example to all.

In the first day of arrival we had an attack pirates. The answer of crew to it was both fast and affirmative and This example placed the whole command easy and the brought confidence for full travel forward.

Work – reflexion of training and high standards G.O.A.G.T., positively influence crew.

My gratitude G.O.A.G.T. And crew and I address to the future to go again with you.”  (11/07/2011)

“Mthx for your kind attention. Disembarkation went smoothly and in due time.
We are fully satisfied with your service and high professional level of your
armed team. Give my best regards to Rob and other guys.”

“Thks for the arranging of a smooth transit, that was a pleasure to work with you service and armed team, very appreciate them assistance in the process of fitting the wire defences and darken ship arrange. We get a good experience and exercizes.Our opinion – the armed team one of the best solution against of piracy,we felt much easy that time when team been on board. p.s. embarcation and disembarcation well organized,simple,easy and quick no affect of the passage schedule,communication on all stages of transit was accessible and understendable.” (31.01.2011)

By my opinion, presence of armed guards from GoAGT on board vessels like our (slow speed and low free board) is only defence against Somali pirates. Incident have been occured on 19.03.10 is illustrative example.GoAGT’s guards exhibited that they can perfom the task by protects the vessel.
I express my thanks and wish safe passages.

Me and my crew would like to express our sincerest gratitude to GoAGT for the security services rendered to us during our transit at the pirates infested region of GOA. The guards assigned on board did a terrific job of maintaining a heightened security readiness at all times in case of any eventuality. Their rotation of 2 guards on standby on a 4hourly shift basis is recommendable. I have noticed too, that when there’s any suspicious boats lurking around in the vicinity during the passage, all of them are called to standby and are ready to thwart any attempt to attack the vessel. It was truly heartening to see all of them doing their job with utmost concern.
Moreover, in my honest personal opinion, the presence of GoAGT’s armed guards on board is preferable and highly recommended. I and my crew never felt a single touch of fear for fear itself is the last thing that comes into our mind while GoAGT’s guards are with us. Surely too, because we all believed that the best defence for those armed pirates/bandits is to counter them equally with the force of arms. Indeed, we give credit for GoAGT that has provided us this invaluable security armed escorts. Needless to say, all the lads on-board are happy and we slept well and good during the passage. We dearly hope that in our next GOA transit, we’ll see those armed security escort back again on board.

I very much liked your service. Soldier are well disciplined, tidy in a life, accurately carry out the duties. Have in due time reacted to a piracy attack. My opinion, that method of boarding of a Security Team from GoAGT – is the most effective of safety and protection of crew of a vessel against attacks.

Myself and all my crew’s are very happy and fully satisfied for the protection and monitoring GoAGT rendered through the GOA transit. The Embarkation / Disembarkation of Armed Boarding Team are in time. The  6 Armed Boarding Team GoAGT send to protect the vessel are very smart, they are doing very good lookout round the clock and  maintained  at High Alert at all times throughout the passage with my  crew’s. We would like GoAGT’s smart armed boarding team again in the future GOA Transit again thanks very much for your good cooperation / communications and perfect time schedule for embark /disembark of Armed Boarding Team.

GoAGT’s security guards were friendly, professional, polite, always on high alert, followed all crew officers instructions. Thanks a lot for a good assistance.

I and all my crew’s are very happy and fully satisfied for the protection GoAGT rendered through the GOA transit. The embarkation and disembarkation of soldiers are in time. and most especially your 6 boarding soldiers are very smart they are doing very good look out at all times / round the clock with my crew’s if they saw any small crafts approaching to the vessel, they will give a warning shot immediately, we would like GoAGT’s smart team again in the future Goa Transit, again thanks very much for your good cooperation / communications and exact time schedule for embarked /disembarking of Armed Boarding Team.

At first I note that we appreciate deeply presence of GoAGT’s Armed Team on board. They kept round-the-clock watch on the open deck and we successfully passed Gulf of Aden thanks to the team solely. We found them reliable and their behaviour was highly disciplined. I believe strongly that each crew welcomes GoAGT’s Armed Team as all-important anti-piracy ship’s defence. Many thanks to GoAGT for your concern of the vessel’s condition during the GoA passage.

We would like to thank GoAGT’s Armed Embarked team and to thank all of you for a excellent cooperation in all matters; the soldiers on board were extremely friendly and have done their duties with a very professional ethic code; we are very satisfied and impressed with their service and we are looking forward to work again with GoAGT in case of another transit through GoA.

The service provided by GoAGT was excellent. Apart from keeping our vessel safe from pirates it also made both the crew and me feel much more at ease passing through the GOA.

Good communications with local agent and GOAGT ensured operation went smoothly. Guards were well presented and maintained good lookouts.