Shiver me timbers! Meet the man who tackles pirates
The history of insurance can be traced back to maritime nations and a need to protect against losses at sea.
Today, however, storms, freak waves and reefs that can snag hulls are only the start. Ships are also at threat from icebergs and containers that have been washed overboard.
Simon Chalmers is familiar with such risks and some you may not have considered. He works in shipping insurance, covering vessels, crews and cargo against the hazards of life at sea.
However his speciality is not tidal waves, oil spills or shipwrecks but Piracy and War Risk.
There are a huge variety of insurance vacancies on s1jobs but what’s it like to work in a sector where pirates are a daily nuisance?
So, pirates . . . are they jolly fellows with eye patches and parrots on their shoulders?
Don’t you believe it! Today’s pirates are tribal leaders in places like Somali, which is war-torn and lawless but with a coastline that borders some of the world’s most important shipping lanes. The pirates set off from shore in fast boats, board container ships, lock up the crew and head back to the mainland with the captain. They then contact the shipping company and demand a huge ransom.
Does this happen often?
More often than you’d think. Naval vessels from many of the world’s seafaring nations patrol these waters in a bid to deter the pirates but incidents still happen.
How are kidnappings resolved?
Negotiations will be carried out by specialists in this field, most often ex-special forces personnel.
And the ship?
That’s the other problem. Often huge container ships have a very small crew. When they are locked up by the pirates there’s no-one at the helm. These ships continue on through busy waters and are a danger to other ships.
What made you choose this line of insurance work?
I fell into it by complete accident. When I finished school I decided not to go to university and a family friend told me there was an opening for a junior account executive at his firm. I applied and got the job, even though I didn’t really know what it was about. It has turned out to be fascinating.
Knowing the risks, would you ever take a cruise?
I actually get sea sick, so it wouldn’t be my first choice of holiday!
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