When high-speed boats with armed men on board begin approaching a merchant or transport vessel in an area of high risk, this is the critical point of reference, at which the boat Protection Plan, developed in accordance with the recommendations of BMP5 (Best Management Practices), the crew moves from surveillance to the active counteraction phase, where every second of delay can cost lives or lead to the capture of the vessel.
The success of the defense depends on the coordination of the actions of the officers and the captain, as well as on the technical state of non-lethal means. Modern pirate groups are extremely aggressive, using high-speed boats such as skiff, equipped with outboard motors up to 250 hp, which allows them to reach speeds of more than 25 knots. The most important task It creates physical and psychological barriers that make boarding attempts technically impossible or too risky for attackers.
In the first minutes of detection of a threat, you need to use all available resources to prevent pirates from landing on board. If attacking Somali pirate boats approached close to the boat, it is recommended to immediately activate active deterrence systems and maneuver in such a way as to create the maximum wave of propellers, destabilizing small craft.
Maneuvering tactics and creating a wave barrierThe main advantage of a large vessel over a high-speed pirate boat is displacement and, as a result, the ability to create powerful excitement. When receiving a signal of the convergence of attackers, the captain must give the command to increase the speed to the maximum possible, if the situation and the safety of the cargo allows. skiff Or pour water on the engine.
The maneuvering must be unpredictable for attackers, and it is recommended to perform sharp rudder shifts, changing course by 30-45 degrees from one direction to the other, which not only knocks down the gunners' sights if pirates have already opened fire, but also prevents them from fixing storm ladders or hooks on board the boat. Large boat inertia It works here as a protective mechanism: a small vessel simply does not have time to react to the change in the course of the giant and risks being under its forehead or being thrown away by the onboard wave.
⚠️ Attention: When performing sharp turns at high speed, there is a risk of shifting the cargo or injuring crew members who are not secured by safety cables. All people on the upper deck should be evacuated immediately to the citadel or protected areas.
The efficiency of the wave barrier depends on the draught of the vessel and the shape of the hull. Full load of ballast tanks increases the draft and makes the wave more gentle, but more powerful in energy. At the same time, an empty boat creates a steeper and more dangerous wave for small craft, but increases the sailing and the risk of damage to the superstructures if hit by bullets or grenades.
The main point or conclusion of this section
Creating a powerful onboard wave by increasing the stroke and shifting of the steering wheel is the most effective way to physically prevent a pirate boat from coming close to the board.
Activation of active water impact systemsA modern merchant boat passing through a High Risk Area (HRA) must have water curtain systems in its arsenal. If attacking Somali pirate boats approach the boat, it is recommended that all fire extinguishing pumps and deck washing systems be immediately activated to create a continuous water wall along the perimeter of the stern and board.
High-pressure water has a dual function: first, it knocks the sight and prevents pirates from catching hooks; second, a jet of water, especially if it has special foaming agents added to it or is simply supplied with maximum pressure, can damage the engine of a small vessel, causing a hydraulic shock in the intake system. Hydraulic impact It can instantly disable the outboard motor, leaving the attackers without moving.
- 💧 Directional firepockets should be installed on the wings of the bridge and stern bulkheads to shoot through dead zones.
- 🌊 Using off-shore water with the addition of dyes or foaming agents can temporarily blind attackers and make it difficult to control.
- ⚙️ The pressure in the highways must be maximum so that the jet has a penetrating force sufficient to destroy the fragile structures of the boat.
Special attention should be paid to the aft part of the vessel, as this is where pirates most often try to get in using calm water in the kilvater. Automated jet drive systems, controlled remotely from the bridge, allow you to create an impenetrable veil without risk to the crew.
Text of useful advice
Check the fire pumps and the condition of the fire hose regularly before entering a high-risk area, and a squat valve at a critical moment can cost the safety vessel.
Physical barriers and barbed wireMechanical defenses are the last line of defense before pirates land on deck. If jet drives and maneuvers don't stop the attackers, physical barriers come into play. razor wire (brick wire type "goz") shall be installed around the perimeter of the upper deck, on the bulwarks and around the superstructures before entering the danger zone.
When approaching a pirate boat, it is recommended to strengthen protection in places of potential hook. Pirates often use aluminum ladders with hooks or special harpoons. Tight winding of barbed wire makes it impossible to secure these devices. Even if the hook catches, pirates will have to spend precious time freeing it, being under the water jets and in the sight of guards.
| Type of barrier | Place of installation | Effectiveness vs. | Difficulty of installation |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Razor Wire (Barbed Wire) | False-bort, roof of the cabin | Hooks, stairs, hands. | High. |
| Electrical barriers | The side, the aft gate. | Psychological impact | Medium |
| Protective screens (Plexiglas) | Bridge wings, entrances | Shards, bullets, rocks. | Low. |
| Removable bulkheads | Doorways of hatches | Intrusion. | Low. |
It is important to use wire with blades, not just spines, because the dense fabric of pirates' clothing can withstand a conventional injection. Blades ensure that tissue and skin are cut. In addition, the wire must be stretched in several rows, forming a three-dimensional obstacle that can not simply be thrown or crumpled.
Use of sound and light deterrentsPsychological pressure is an important component of protection: Pirates tend to avoid excessive attention and noise that can attract warships or aircraft. Using LRAD (Long Range Acoustic Device) allows you to broadcast high-intensity sound waves that cause physical pain, disorientation and panic.
The LRAD directs a focused beam of sound up to several hundred meters. The sound at 2–3 kHz with volume levels above 130–140 dB causes extreme discomfort, nausea and inability to concentrate. For a pirate trying to control a boat and aiming from a machine gun, this becomes a critical obstacle.
⚠️ Attention: The use of LRAD requires caution, and the presence of crew members in the direct-action zone without hearing protection can lead to permanent damage to the eardrums.
At night, the efficiency of sound aids is complemented by powerful searchlights, and dazzling the pilot of a fast boat with a powerful light flux disorients him, making it impossible to estimate the distance to the side and the height of the wave. Stroboscopic effects They can cause epileptic reactions or temporary blindness, making it impossible to operate a boat.
Technical specifications of LRAD
The 1000X series LRADs offer an effective range of up to 1,000 meters, operate in the temperature range of -40 to +60 degrees Celsius and have IP56 moisture protection, allowing them to be used in stormy weather in the Gulf of Aden.
Communication protocols and external support callWhen the attacking Somali pirate boats approach the boat, it is recommended to activate the SSAS (boat Security Alert System) system immediately. Unlike GMDSS, the SSAS signal is transmitted quietly, without confirmation on the boat, and immediately goes to the appropriate coordination centers and escort boats.
In parallel, communication on VHF Channel 16 and local security networks (e.g. MSCHOA) must be maintained continuously, and information on the type of attack, number of boats, weapons and pirates’ activities allows the EU NAVFOR, Combined Task Force 151 to assess the situation and direct the helicopter or boat.
- 📡 Real-time coordinate transmission via satellite tracking systems allows the military to see the boat's movements.
- 🗣️ Voice messages should be concise, clear and contain an alarm code (e.g., "Piracy Attack in Progress").
- 📹 Broadcasting surveillance video to shore security centers helps analysts make real-time recommendations to the captain.
It is important not to negotiate with pirates until they are captured, if possible, any negotiations can be used by them to psychologically pressure or to clarify the vulnerabilities of the boat, all communications must be conducted through a designated liaison officer to avoid emotional reactions.
☑️ Actions in activation of SSAS
Evacuation to the citadel and actions during captureIf all active protection measures are exhausted and pirates have begun to board, the main priority is to preserve the life of the crew. citadel It is equipped with an independent power source, communication, water and food supplies, as well as a ventilation system.
The passage to the citadel must be worked out to automatism. All crew members gather at a designated point, after which the doors are blocked from the inside. The steel reinforced door of the citadel is able to withstand small-arms fire and even a small explosion. On the inside, the crew blocks control of the vessel (if technically possible), making it unmanageable for invaders.
Pirates who are on a boat without a crew cannot hijack it to port because they lack the skills to operate and access navigation, and they target people to receive ransoms, and keeping the crew in the citadel delays the pirates' operations, increasing the risk of being captured by special forces arriving in helicopters.
⚠️ Warning: You can only leave the citadel after you have received confirmation from the military or the captain that the boat is safe, and a premature exit may result in hostages being taken.
The main point or conclusion of this section
The citadel is the last and most reliable line of defense, and its presence and proper operation ensure the safety of the crew even during the physical capture of the boat.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I return fire on pirates?
Under international maritime law and BMP recommendations, merchant boats should not be the first to use firearms: Return fire is only possible in self-defense when crew lives are in imminent danger, and this is governed by the laws of the boat's flag and the rules of private security companies (PMSC) if they are on board.
What if pirates want to stop the boat?
Stopping a boat is tantamount to surrender, it is recommended to ignore the demands and continue maneuvering, creating a wave, and stop is only possible on the direct order of military forces or in the case when further resistance is impossible and threatens the lives of people (for example, injuring key crew members).
How long can pirates hold a boat?
The length of the capture depends on many factors: the presence of the citadel, the speed of the military reaction, the distance from the shore. If the crew left for the citadel, pirates can control the boat from a few hours to several days until negotiators or special forces arrive.
Are dummies and false cameras effective?
Yes, camouflage elements such as bridge guard dummies or dummy surveillance cameras can give pirates the illusion of being prepared for defense, sometimes forcing them to abandon attack in favor of easier prey.