R A & A LIMITED
Services
Investigations
A major specialisation of Ray
Ashton & Associates is investigation work resulting from theft or
fraud from both marine and non-marine activities. Cases undertaken
include investigation of thefts from yachts and/or the disappearance
of entire vessels also, disappearance of cargo, financial fraud,
surveillance worldwide and discovery of confidential information.
Investigations are undertaken
on behalf of insurance companies as well as for private individuals
and Ray Ashton & Associates is regularly appointed by
international investigation organisations.
Ray has undertaken a comprehensive UK
investigation course and now has the capabilities of dealing with the
following investigation aspects as a qualified Civil Enforcement
Agent:
| Due diligence |
| Process serving |
| Pre-sue reporting and vetting |
| Means reporting |
| Debt counselling and
collecting |
| Repossession of vessels,
vehicles, credit cards, plant and premises |
| Utility pre disconnection and
disconnection work |
| Tracing |
| Statement taking |
| Surveillance (specialisation) |
| Fraud investigation (specialisation) |
Close Protection Services
Fire investigation |
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Condition, valuation and loss surveys
Ray Ashton & Associates
regularly carry out hull and machinery casualty surveys on private and
commercial yachts as well as assessment of damages to cargo.
Cargo surveys and
investigation has been a growing part of the company’s work over
the years and incidents involving shipments of heavy duty goods,
personal effects, wines, spirits, electronics and high tech components
have been undertaken.
Condition and valuation
surveys on pleasure craft are also undertaken on behalf of insurance
companies and financial institutions but also on occasion for selected
owners for sale, pre purchase or insurance requirements.
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New Construction supervision and
consultancy
Ray Ashton & Associates
regularly supervise new constructions, conversions and repairs of all
types of yachts. Appointments include management of refits, rebuilds,
renovation and repair on all types of motor and sailing vessels
resulting from fire or major damage from other causes as well as
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Pre Insurance, safety and building
security assessment
Ray Ashton & Associates
specialise in risk management, safety and security surveys on all
types of buildings and premises. The company is well qualified and
experienced to advise on all aspects of fire safety and security,
including fire precautions, equipment used, location and efficiency.
In addition advice is available on the security of homes, offices and
vehicles, crime prevention, personal protection and general threat
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International Elite Maritime Protection
Introduction
RA & A Limited in conjunction with Brookmans International Limited UK
have merged their resources into providing a professional and comprehensive Elite Protection Service to the Maritime commercial and private industries, specialising in the deployment of legal armed response to piracy and terrorist threats worldwide, utilising a significant number of hand picked highly trained ex Special Forces personnel from SBS, SAS and Royal Marine Commando backgrounds, with state of the art equipment and real time audio visual communications.
Brief History
Whilst piracy on the seas has been in existence for centuries in many parts of the world, it has been established through detailed research that piracy in the 21st century is ever increasing and now comprises of modern up to date manpower, highly trained and fearless in their quest to plunder ships, capture hostages and demand excruciatingly high sums of ransom for the safe return of crew, passengers and vessels. In addition modern day pirates are equipped with ultra fast vessels and state of the art communications and weapons enabling them to be more successful than ever in reaching their aims.
Around 20,000 oil tankers, freighters and merchant vessels alone pass along the crucial shipping route of Somalia each year. Around 50,000 vessels pass through the Malacca Straits per year carrying a third of world trade and half its oil supplies. These are only two key areas were piracy is rampant, not to mention the coasts of South and Central America, Mexico, the Caribbean, parts of the Pacific, Yemen in the Red Sea and the South China Seas.
According to official statistics it has been observed that in 2008 alone, 293 commercial vessels worldwide were attacked by pirates of which 111 incidents took place off the Somali coast. Out of this total, 42 vessels were actually hijacked and 815 crew members were taken hostage. As of 31st December 2008, 13 vessels with a compliment of 242 crew members were still being held to ransom.
The highest level of attacks off the Somali coast during the year 2008 took place in September where 19 vessels were attacked, some of which were a great distance from the coast.
Around 140 further incidents of piracy occurred off the Nigerian coast, with 27 vessels boarded, five hijacked and 39 crew members were kidnapped.
So far in 2008 according to official reports, it is estimated that ransom payments made to pirates for release of vessels and crew may be as high as US$ 150,000,000.00, with a typical demand per ship ranging between US$ 1,000,000.00 to US$ 3,500,000.00. In 2008, piracy is estimated to have cost the world between US$ 60,000,000.00 and US$ 70,000,000.00.
The main differences between the East and West African pirate activities is that almost all the incidents in Nigeria are conducted within its territorial waters whereas most of the incidents along the East coast of Africa and the Gulf of Aden occur on the high seas.
Summary of Services
Ray Ashton of RA & A Limited and Graham Freeman of Brookmans International Limited UK are highly experienced and trained individuals from Police and Military historical backgrounds, with a wealth of marine orientated general and technical knowledge, who have realised that there is a major requirement for top of the range professionally equipped services in order to combat this growing problem in international waters across the world.
It is our aim to provide a comprehensive professional elite protection service in the following areas:
Shipping and cruise ship companies with vessels voyaging through pirate occupied territories.
Yachts and Super Yachts voyaging through pirate occupied territories.
Owners and VIP charterers on yachts and Super Yachts.
Staff involved in international companies located in hot spot areas.
Private high worth individuals and their families, either static or whilst travelling.
Government agencies as and where required.
Investigation of crime with specialist services in relation to kidnap and ransom cases.
All members of our teams will be qualified SSO accredited officers in accordance with the current laws and regulations in relation to this type of work and will have the necessary language skills in accordance with the clients requirements.
For further particulars in relation to your requirements please contact us through any of the following routes, where we will be pleased to discuss your requirements on a strictly confidential basis.
Specific Contact Details
Ray Ashton Mob Tel: 0034 667 240 515 (24 hours) Fax 0034 951 230 696
E-mail:ra@elitemaritime.com
Graham Freeman Mob Tel: 0044 7983 360 116 Fax 0044 (0)1327 811691
E-mail:gf@elitemaritime.com Web link www.elitemaritimeprotection.com