When studying working life Robert Dimants, it could seem, that the description of the hero action-thriller. AT 2006 , he traveled to a part of the military mission in Iran, then guarded two presidents of Latvia, then the US Embassy, and then I applied for and got an international security firm, which is guarded by large ships from pirates off the coast of Africa. It was this work for three years, she left him around the world and has presented the most exciting adventure.
From Iraq to pirate attacks
Robert says about itself, he's just a guy from Latvia. As a young man came into the national armed forces and, together with his comrades-in-arms went to Iraq. when I returned, I understood, the service in the army, with its unconditional surrender was not for him and went to the presidential guard, which included guarding and Vaira Vike-Freiberga and Valdis Zatlers. Then came the moment, and when this work he got bored. He left the army and took up the protection of the US Embassy, passing received higher education in the field of psychology.
AT 2013 he decided to once again change everything. “I saw an ad, that an international security company GoAGT arrange an interview in Tallinn and signed. they demanded, at least, five years in the army, combat experience, good English, as well as skills and experience commanders service. I understood, that I have it all and I come. I went to a job interview, which was carried out from the British instructors ... man 60 selected 10, including me”, - recalls Robert. The selection was tough, It lasted several days, You need to show your shooting skills and tactical knowledge. After I had some time to sit on their suitcases, call waiting.
invitation was 1 Martha, a 3 already I had to sit on a plane and fly via London to Sri Lanka. “There I was waiting for Agent, It led to the villa, where he is waiting for rest of the team with the head-Briton. Start your acquaintance with the duties and routine. First there was the usual shooter. In our direct duty it was to do everything possible, to protect the ship from pirates. This was done using their own methods”, - recalls Robert.
the question, how often I had to repel a pirate attack, He says, that sometimes it was quiet and did not meet anyone, except dolphins, and sometimes they were very much.
“While in the area of piracy, We came to the alert. This is the path length of about a week,. Pirates usually move on boats, that depart from “parent” ship. Sometimes they just watch, what is happening on the ship and whether he has protection, but some just shoot. Our task - to stop them. Sometimes on the radio from other ships only and hear - at one attacked, others attacked. Our armed with semi-automatic weapons team was always ready. But, of course, mostly all passed safely”, - he says,.
At stake is a lot of money - captured ships often redeemed for tens of millions of dollars - so the invaders are usually willing to risk it all.
“We went from UAE to Egypt, I had to cross the Gulf of Aden and the Bab-el-Mandeb - the bottleneck, where most pirates. Pirates – Somalis, but the groups are not homogeneous and are very different in composition. There are simple ex-fishermen and farmers, are attacking chaotic. There are very well-organized gangs with real combat experience, that attack a specific purpose. There are also specialists, who track down a very specific production and well-informed. This is a global business, which can be compared with the 1990 racketeering, when too “all” They lived according to certain laws, and they knew, that can be, and don'ts”, – according to Robert in the media buzz around the Somali pirates subsided, but the problem will not do.
In this strait Team Robert, which is guarded by hundreds of meters long ship, were real pirates. “such routine, that one is on duty for four hours. Inspects the ocean with binoculars and you notice any suspicious, a, seeing, It is reported by radio. At that time it was my shift. Ahead of going vessel, behind - the ship, everything seemed peaceful. But suddenly saw, that the first ship to change course, but nothing has been reported on the radio. Then notice “maternal” classic - pirate ship, they usually look. On the radar to be seen, he was approaching. In binoculars notice, that depart from him motorboat with pirates. Room service on the ship were all entirely Chinese, in English did not understand, Only the captain and first mate knew the language. I explained the situation, I ordered shut inside. He called his fighters, those dressed in full gear and took up positions”, - he recalls.
“Pirates came close, immediately began to shoot at us, throw grenades, but quickly realized, that ship armed guards. Fired warning shots. Well, they understood, that side of our vessel high, position with us - good, and they are at the bottom in fragile boats, no chance. even some shooting, poshumeli and cleared”, - says Robert.
After the attack, the guards warned other vessels in the area and informed the security forces about pirates. According to Robert, although he really sharp clashes with the pirates was not, colleagues sometimes necessary to hold the line for several hours.
Vacation in exotic places - beaches, parties and fights with local
At first, where the piracy rate was very high, on ships just worked themselves British and the Americans with frantic salaries. “Then in the business, something changed, and the British and Americans have remained only as commanders, and the simple soldiers of the company began to gain in the Eastern Europe”, - recalls Robert.
an agreement was usually on 2-3 of the month, but you can work and more, up to six months. But it's a long time. “Those six months were the, two weeks living in Sri Lanka, two - in Mombasa, Kenya, two more - in Zanzibar or Madagascar, waiting for ships, which should be protected”, - recalls Robert.
As a result, he was able to fully understand, what a vacation in these exotic locations - from South Africa along the east coast of Africa, in the UAE, Pakistan, India. “Egypt for me at some point become a second home, I did not go out of the hotel, because it has long been to all the tourist places”, - says Robert. Egypt as a country for life he did not like: “terribly dirty”.
And best of all - in Sri Lanka. “A very beautiful place. In the beginning there was able to live for a month. There are very beautiful beaches, nature. for example, We were in Galle, seaside town, where our company has rented a villa Ocean view. I traveled around in a taxi, tuktuke, bus, I found a very beautiful place - the beach Merissa, He is in the top 10 best beaches in the world”.
For a time, Robert was able to relax and Madagascar. What surprised him - baobabs, and other exotic animals, but most of all - terrible poverty. “Then the screens went just a popular cartoon and many do not know, that Madagascar does exist. When I told his godfather, that the island, he was surprised - he's from the movie, how can you be there. I was in a small town, which actually seen, how people live - a terrible contrast. One ride in the open “Land Cruiser”, Other nearby in the dirt begging. Horrible crime rate - to kill someone or rob them like a piece of cake. If you see a white man, perceived as ATM and, if this works out, Be sure to try to rob. I am in Africa in many clubs was, but usually we went there together with the soldiers”, - recalls Robert. According to him, Madagascar is a local fight was not possible, but in general there was everyone.
“Madagascar took in rent bikes, We went to look at the nature. Once we stopped at a wild place, which they looked at us with eyes, Now it seemed as if pounce and devour. tell my: “We turn around and go back”, - says our hero. However, According to him, really long journeys through the neighborhood it was not and could not be, because according to the rules fighters must always be ready for an hour to pack up and move to another ship.
Almost brought his wife from Kenya
“When I lived in Kenya, almost managed to marry. We met at a restaurant in Zanzibar, where she arrived on holiday from Nairobi. After that copied and somehow fate would have it, the next trip I had in Kenya. Previously, there was no. She was very educated and interesting woman. I call her. started seeing, romance lasted a couple of weeks”, - says Robert.
According to him, taking into account the specifics of the, Latvia had no family, I thought to try at home. But in the end I decided to, it is still better to marry a local - patriotic set. But still can not get off the adrenaline needle - constant traveling and dangerous jobs.
“Kenya once went to the capital of Somalia, Mogadishu - a true den of pirates. There is some mythical government, that controls, may be, a third country. going to, twice he prepared a ship, instructed fighters. There was a feeling, that way necessarily attack, but not attacked”, - he says,.
Arriving at the port of Mogadishu, ship because the captain's error stranded, and technical assistance to wait there was no one to. “Somehow I have chosen, but if stuck for a long time, risk would be incredible. Port control Turks, part of the army and UN peacekeepers to Somalia by passing. So that the port can be considered more or less safe place, because the feed from it all”, - says Robert.
“by the way, need to say, Somalia and pleasantly surprised. If Dubai had to buy “Simcoe” for 40 dollars, that was the Internet, there are also some guys came to us, set up Wi-Fi-router, We collected from all of two bucks and we had a normal Internet. It was a pleasant surprise, since leaving port we could not - was a very real risk, that right outside the gate and you will kill”, - says Robert. According to him, he has observed, like the surrounding road Wheels cars, full of armed bandits.
Ukrainians are ready to risk their lives for 500 euro
As Robert Dimants quickly proved his professionalism, he became commander of the department and his work routine became standard. “I am waiting for, when the letter comes with the job details. receiving, will fly to the right place, eg, Dubai. Within a few days the whole team is going to. I spend coaching, We climb on board. there are countries, which allow you to store weapons on its territory, and there are those - many Arab, eg, UAE and Oman - which do not allow. In this case, outside their territorial waters approaching the floating armory. There are preparing the ship, instruct sailors, We hit the road”, - he says,.
Talking about the team selection, Robert talks, the team usually changes, and there people from different countries, and all need to find a common language. Many Pakistanis, fillipintsyev, in communion with that often arise comical situations, because they are very obedient, but often have little knowledge of English.
Ukrainians and Poles, which also keeps popping up on the ships - their difficulties, as they are often trying to find an excuse, just to do nothing. “Ukrainians because of the political situation desperately dumping and are willing to risk their lives for 500 Euro per month”, - describes the situation Robert Dimants. — “Also, like all Slavs, they are trying to do so, that just does not work”.
This summer, after the expiry of the contract, Robert returned to Latvia, where he was asked to become the head of the transport company's security department and lead the security firm, which is owned by the enterprise. Since the proposal was a good, decided to settle down for a while. In parallel, she works as a security consultant at Wisendorff, being also a partner in it. Tied up and stable relationship.
But the quiet life is given to him with difficulty - in December for a month going to Nigeria, to guard the ship, which is working on the expansion of the coastline. According to Robert, he can not live without the adrenaline and the perpetual motion. Girlfriend does not mind. “She supports me. And the food is only for a month. Separation brings together and ignites passion. I can not without it, thirst for adventure”.
