Ross Kemp in Search of Pirates
2009 · Sky Showcase · 60 min · 1 season
S01E03 · Southeast Asia
Tue, 23 June, 6:00 am
The actor visits Southeast Asia as he concludes his exploration of the increasing risk of piracy on the world's oceans. Beginning in Singapore, where he sees the huge volume of shipping that comes through the Strait of Malacca, Ross heads to Batam Island, before negotiating access to a pirate in Somalia who provides an insight into their training by ex-Somali marines
About
Ross Kemp journeys across three continents to the world's worst piracy hotspots in search of the men responsible for bringing a reign of terror to the high seas.
The world's waters are vital to global trade. Ninety percent of the world's trade is moved by sea, more than 10 million cargo containers are moving across the world's oceans at any one time, yet it is the least policed environment on the planet. It is in this vacuum that today's pirates flourish, seizing vessels to order, holding hostages for massive ransom fees and using extreme violence. Today's pirates are armed to the teeth with knives, heavy machine guns, rocket propelled grenades and sophisticated radio systems, meaning that pirates are the key players in a multi-million dollar business increasingly seen as one of the biggest, yet least publicised, threats to global security!
Over the three fascinating episodes Ross joins the crew of the Royal Navy HMS Northumberland and meets Somali pirates, showing what the worlds mariners face each and every day as well as explaining the causes of, and dispelling the myths surrounding one of modern day's greatest political and criminal problems.
Episodes
- E01
Somalia
Tue, 9 June· 60 minRoss Kemp is off the coast of Somalia on the trail of modern-day Blackbeards, who are rather more camera shy. The professional tough guy swaps sunglasses for regulation mushroom helmet and hops aboard HMS Northumberland, the first Royal Navy ship to patrol for pirates since 1816. He soon discovers that it's like looking for a needle in a haystack and, despite interesting tete-a-tetes with marines, Kemp is clearly longing for some real drama.
- E02
Nigeria
Tue, 16 June· 60 minThe actor explores the impact of piracy in Nigeria, where more people are killed in raids than anywhere else in the world. He discovers the devastating effects that pirates are having on the area's fishing fleet, with almost 300 workers killed over the past few years, and how attacks on oil tankers at the port of Lagos are threatening the country's economy
- E03
Southeast Asia
Tue, 23 June· 60 minThe actor visits Southeast Asia as he concludes his exploration of the increasing risk of piracy on the world's oceans. Beginning in Singapore, where he sees the huge volume of shipping that comes through the Strait of Malacca, Ross heads to Batam Island, before negotiating access to a pirate in Somalia who provides an insight into their training by ex-Somali marines
Cast
Ross Kemp
Presenter