Ocean Cruising Club, in cooperation with the Naval War College Foundation and Cruising Club of America, hosts a lecture on Feral Cities and Piracy

Ocean Cruising Club (OCC) Members and Port Officers Miles Bidwell and Janet Garnier organized an event under the auspices of the OCC and in cooperation with the Naval War College Foundation (NWCF) in December.  Cruising Club of America members were invited as guests. More than 80 attendees gathered to hear a presentation by Dr. Richard Norton, Professor of National Security Affairs at the Naval War College, on the concept of “Feral Cities and Piracy.”

The speaker, Dr. Richard Norton, a thoroughly charming and knowledgeable professor, addressed maritime piracy and its origins from and relationships to crime in lawless (feral) cities, particularly those located on the ocean’s coastal regions. One of his points was that there is a higher likelihood of crime resulting from one’s presence with a yacht tied up at a wharf or marina than there is to an attack on the high seas. He cautioned, however, that just because reports of piracy have decreased in number in recent years, it may be just because cruisers are heeding the warnings not to cruise in pirate designated waters.  The official position of the International Naval Counter Piracy Forces remains that “all sailing yachts under their own passage should remain out of the High Risk Area (HRA) or face the risk of being hijacked and held hostage for ransom.”

The speech was illuminating and entertaining. The NWCF recorded it and posted it on YouTube. In addition, it was followed by tours of the college and museum, which was open to all attendees and many took advantage of the hospitality.

This was the last official function under OCC Regional Rear Commodores Doug & Dale Bruce of Camden Maine, who are stepping down from a post they graciously and enthusiastically fulfilled for many years, organizing countless rallies and events, and welcoming cruisers from all over the world to the exquisite cruising grounds of Maine. Doug & Dale are the authors of The Cruising Guide to Newfoundland and members of both OCC and CCA.

“It was an excellent example of the good relationship between the OCC and CCA and how members of both can benefit from an event of mutual interest,” recounted Doug Bruce, who also announced the appointment of Pam MacBrayne and Denis Moonan as the new Regional Rear Commodores for OCC. “We were very proud of our unofficial OCC Regional Officers in Newport Rhode Island who made this valuable event happen and wish the new OCC Regional Rear Commodores as much joy as we’ve experienced in those roles,” added Dale Bruce.

View a recording posted by the Naval War College Foundation of the presentation with question and answer session on YouTube. If you are interested in the Naval War College and what you can do to support its many great programs, please contact the Naval War College Foundation host and tour guide, Steve Stasiuk  (sstasiuk@nwcfoundation.org or by phone, 401-848-8308)

Dr. Richard Norton of the Naval War College Foundation addresses the Ocean Cruising Club and Cruising Club of America on "Feral Cities and Piracy" and the implications on the Maritimes.  Dr. Norton  holds a doctorate in International Relations from the Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy; he retired from the United States Navy in 1996, with the rank of Commander. His most recent areas of research include the topic of feral cities - selected by the New York Times as one of the "ideas of 2004," policy dilemmas associated with the U.S. -Venezuelan relationship, and maritime piracy.

To view the videos of this lecture,click here

 

 

 

 

High resolution photos available upon request:

 

Members of the Ocean Cruising Club and the Cruising Club of America
attend lecture on piracy at the Naval War College

 

 

 

Dr. Richard Norton of the Naval War College Foundation addresses the Ocean Cruising Club and Cruising Club of America on "Feral Cities and Piracy".
About the Ocean Cruising Club