based on information about the geographic position, the cargo, the flag and the size of a ship. Recently released NATO report indicates the pirates may be guided by informers in the London maritime industry. (See TDC Alert "Somalia Pirates Guided by Informers" dated May 18, 2009, TDC Alert "Bogus Request for Vessel Security Teams" dated May 12, 2009, and "TDC Alert Somalia Pirates Possibly have man portable anti-aircraft missles" dated May 23, 2009.) A colleague whose son is a merchant seaman frequently sailing off Somalia, Southern Africa and Kenya made some observations to his father in an email in May 2009. He said that the dock workers and "Hey Joes" on the pier selling everything from food to cell phones (to ship's crew) often know more about the ships before they arrive. Details like ship's schedule, number of crew, etc. are revealed in conversations with the merchants before the crew even leave the dock. It is believed that dockside observers take stock in what kind of ship protection measures the vessel employs. They look for visible Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD) on the deck, and note if the ship has an embarked security team, what the cargo is, and what electronic means of surveillance the ship has.
The Technology
· · · · · ·
Slime to put on decks to make walking on decks treacherous Dazzler Laser Gun Millimeter-wave electromagnetic energy Armed Unmanned Surface Vessels (USV) Nets to entangle outboard engine propellers Multi-Sensor Distraction Device (repugnant smell, loud noise, visible light)
Commercial Ships use technology and tactics inherent on the ship to aid in piracy prevention. Unobstructed 360 degree radar and AIS can be useful to distinguish friend from foe in the surrounding waters. Some ships have installed Electro-Optical Infra Red cameras at strategic locations on the ship. Long Range Acoustic Device, or (LRAD) can be found aboard multiple ships plying the waters off Somalia. LRAD projects an extremely loud highly directional noise over a long distance that can potentially drive away pirates. The goal is to keep the pirates from boarding the ship. A perimeter protection device that has been advertised for several years is Secure-Ship, a type of electrified fence running along the edges of ship decks providing a nonlethal shock to stowaways or pirates alike. The system also may include an alarm system, industrial flood lights and an intruder detection system. Additional non-lethal devices aimed at keeping pirates away include: · Remote controlled fire hoses (for use when armed pirates are approaching)
In an effort to help protect mariners worldwide, TDC employs Vessel Security Teams with the latest warning and hailing technology. The teams integrate their capabilities with a vessel's inherent advantages, speed, maneuverability, good watchstanding and a good plan with a trained crew. This technology is certainly capable of repelling an uninspired or ill-equipped pirate attack. In fact, many boardings are repelled by vessels using age old, tried and true tactics. However, as we saw with the Maersk Alabama, even a well trained crew in a large vessel is vulnerable to boarding in a determined attack. Makeshift defenses consisting of firehoses, Molotov cocktails and lawn chairs in the instance of a cruise liner will not deter automatic rifles and grenades. No one will argue that the best solution lies ashore through diplomatic means. However, if recent history tell us anything there are limits to diplomacy. If the pirate attacks continue unabated and diplomatic efforts fail, then limited military actions may be the only option to disrupt the pirate bases and get the situation under control. In the meantime, in our opinion, all things considered ( lives lost, ransom money feeding the monster, lost ship days, insurance, liability and the emotional scars inflicted on innocent mariners, passengers and crews) a layered defense of non-lethal technology (backed by credible force) is the only answer.
The Bottom Line
Politics and economics are the deeply seated root causes of the piracy problem. While ship owner/operators may not be able to significantly affect the cause of the threat, they must take actions to deal with the threat. Technology providers need to be aware of the piracy TTPs, discussed previously, in order to understand how their technology can compliment shipboard tactics effective against piracy. Together, vessel owner / operators and technology providers must work in concert to combine technology with the ship's own physical defenses and tactics to thwart and defeat piracy.
Marine Technology Reporter 23
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