anti piracy weapons for yachts

Armed and Dangerous: Carrying Weapons Against Maritime Piracy

• By Cameron J. Rhodes
• March 20, 2024

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When Rapscallion ’s charter guests finally arrived—hours behind schedule for a trip to Bimini—Capt. Larry Withall and his mate, Jason “Tiny” Walcott, disembarked from their slip in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for a quick trip to the Bahamas in 1995. The two men chatted with Withall on the way out, asking various questions about the 65-foot Hatteras, seemingly interested in general safety procedures. They even asked what the crew would do in the case of piracy. Hours later, under a pitch-black sky, the guests suddenly stripped their friendly facades and brandished firearms. With a machine gun held to their heads, the Rapscallion crew realized that pirates were already on board.

When I think of pirates, I envision the likes of Capt. Jack Sparrow and other similar Hollywood characters. Fortunately, I’ve never had to contend with, or even consider, the threat of piracy at sea. However, after researching this article and speaking with seasoned captains who have experienced such incidents, my perspective has changed. While it might seem like a relic of a rum-drenched past, piracy is still a potential threat for sport-fishing crews and remains something to be prepared for today .

Modern-Day Piracy

The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea’s abbreviated definition of “piracy” is “any illegal acts of violence or detention, or any act of depredation, committed for private ends by the crew or the passengers of a private ship or a private aircraft, and directed on the high seas, against another ship or aircraft, or against persons or property on board such ship or aircraft.” While that’s a lot of jargon, it can all be distilled simply to attacking or robbing ships at sea.

The International Maritime Bureau, a division of the International Chamber of Commerce, established its Piracy Reporting Centre in 1992 to assist with maritime safety. Following the United Nations’ definition of “piracy,” the center compiles data on piracy incidents around the world and publishes comprehensive reports. In addition, the nonprofit organization offers a 24-hour hotline for crews to report active attacks.

Acting as a single point of contact, staff will relay all the necessary information to the area’s proper authorities and warn other vessels in the vicinity. While much of its focus is on commercial shipping, the center also takes reports from other vessels, including fishing boats, yachts and other pleasure craft.

As of September 2023, 99 incidents had been reported for the year—a 10 percent increase from the year before. Of those, 53 incidents occurred in Southeast Asia, 23 in Africa, 18 in the Americas, three in the Indian sub-­continent and two in East Asia. The Straits of Singapore, the Gulf of Guinea and the waters off Peru remain the three areas of greatest concern for the risk of piracy. While there are fishing programs that travel through those areas, the hotspots that I’ve heard the most about from captains and mates are in the Caribbean, such as the Bahamas, the British Virgin Islands and the Dominican Republic. Perhaps many of those close calls we hear about in casual conversation don’t get formally reported, or maybe they don’t quite meet the formal piracy definition outlined by the UN. Whatever the case, we still hear of them through social media and the coconut telegraph.

Hijacking at Sea

Whenever we hear of piracy incidents affecting sportboats, the haunting story of Rapscallion in the ’90s once again emerges from the sport-fishing community’s collective memory. Laced with emotional and physical terror, the hijacking of Rapscallion is the stuff of boating nightmares. Fortunately, both Withall and Walcott ­survived the attack. They were beaten and pistol­-whipped and lived through scarring moments when they each thought the other was dead. After a series of movie-plot events, the then-23-year-old Walcott ran the boat aground at Gun Cay, an island 10 miles south of Bimini. When Rapscallion started taking on water, the pirates launched the life raft and fled.

Between the gunfire, fistfights, moments of titan strength, jumping ship, Apocalypse Now blaring in the background and split-second decisions, the hijacking of Rapscallion is the type of story that needs many pages of a book to tell it properly. Fortunately, Walcott is almost ready to publish one that has been nearly 30 years in the making. In the meantime, I encourage you to listen to Episode 71 of Dennis Friel’s Connected by Water podcast to hear Walcott’s detailed account of what happened. Withall and Walcott lived through one of our industry’s most notable piracy attacks, and their actions in a high-intensity situation helped them save each other’s life.

Withall, whom Walcott will always consider a brother and hero, sadly has passed away. Walcott, however, is very much active in the industry today. He’s worked on several boats over the last two decades and currently runs El Jefe , a 70-foot Viking that spends most of its time fishing off the Florida coast and in the Bahamas. There was a time when Walcott didn’t want to be defined by the Rapscallion story, but now, he cites the incident as being one of the most critical turning points in his life, and he discusses it with a tone of gratitude. “When I started fishing, I wanted to be good, but I didn’t take it that seriously,” he says. “After the hijacking, I had a new lease on life and recognized that I had to get serious about fishing if I wanted to make it a career. I found mentors in the likes of Ron Hamlin, Earle Keen, Larry Withall and Andy Moyes, and worked hard to learn from them and to compete with them. So really, the hijacking was the catalyst for my career growth and success.”

Practicing Situational Awareness

Since the incident, Walcott has learned some things about himself that likely contributed to his survival that night. He’s a fighter, and those instincts kicked in at a time when he needed them most. “I’ve had several close calls since the hijacking,” he says. “One incident even occurred in the same area years later. Just like in captains training, the first thing I do in an emergency is slow down. It’s like pulling back the reins on a wild animal, but you have to do it. I remain very calm when assessing and determining what to do next. I’m lucky to have great situational awareness.”

Situational awareness is the ability to comprehend and effectively respond to a situation by gathering information, analyzing it and making informed decisions to address potential risks. Men and women who work in high-intensity environments, such as police officers, military personnel and firemen, are extensively trained on situational awareness and how to pull back the reins, as Walcott describes. Don Deyo, a former Green Beret and medical expert who served in the US Army for 27 years, harps on this with the courses he offers through his company, D-Dey Offshore LLC. He’s worked with over 400 sport-fishing programs around the world to help them be prepared and outfitted for the worst. “The first level in preventing an incident such as piracy is simply paying attention to your surroundings,” he explains.

As a captain prepares for any trip offshore, it’s important to confront the fact that you might be on your own out there. Practicing situational awareness, even in low-pressure situations, will help you be better prepared for the unexpected. “I think that’s something bred into crewmembers—this idea that nobody is coming to save you,” Walcott says. “We know we have to be prepared for anything because no one else is coming to the rescue. Sometimes we have to be our own security on the water, so honing all of our skills, whether fishing- or safety-related, is never a waste of time.”

To best practice situational awareness, it’s helpful to know what to look out for, and there is no shortage of that information available from others in the industry. “Before you travel anywhere, you need to do your research of the area and ask around for information,” Walcott explains. Relying on their peers, captains can collect tips on areas to avoid, advice for communicating with authorities, and other helpful best practices.

Assuming that most pirates and other unsavory characters aren’t mining this article for insider tips, it’s helpful to recognize that a relatively clear pattern has emerged among incidents affecting sport-fishing vessels. Since these crimes are often opportunistic, pirates target boats that are anchored or chugging along slowly, especially those with a valuable tender in tow. “I will not pull a tender for that very reason,” says Capt. Cory Gillespie, who runs the 63-foot Titan Lunatico and spends much of the year traveling throughout the Caribbean. “I don’t fish when traveling either. I just want to get to my destination as quickly, efficiently and safely as possible.”

Two scenarios seem to be prevalent among piracy attempts targeting sportboats. First, a person on a small boat will call for aid from a nearby sport-fisherman by waving hands and holding a gas can in the air, a sign that perhaps they’ve run out of fuel. While I certainly don’t want to discourage folks from helping others, this has proved to be a ploy on many occasions. As soon as the vessel approaches to assist, the small boat suddenly picks up and runs directly at them, sometimes with additional perpetrators springing up out of nowhere. This tactic has been used several times at sea, and in some cases, the offenders had firearms at the ready. In the second scenario, a captain sees a boat—or several boats—on radar coming directly toward him at night, but none of the boats have any lights on. As they creep closer, the captain attempts to hail the vessels over the radio or shouts out to them without any response. The strangers continue to approach until they’re right on top of the sport-fisher and are close enough to suddenly launch an attack.

Using their instincts, crews who have run into such scenarios realized that something wasn’t right almost immediately. They managed to deter the threat by picking up and outrunning the small boats, proof that having a fast boat is indeed a safety benefit. In other cases, the crews showed the perpetrators that they had firearms at the ready. This brings us to a tremendously important and challenging question: Should you travel with firearms on board?

To Arm or Not to Arm

When I asked several prominent captains whether they travel with firearms, I received a variety of responses. Some said they always travel with guns on board, while a couple explained that they never felt the need. Others stated that they used to travel with firearms but eventually stopped after dealing with hurdles when declaring guns in other countries. When I asked whether captains traveling with firearms always declare them when clearing customs abroad, our discussions turned even more complicated and layered. The captains I casually polled were understandably squirrelly about all of this. Reveal too much, and suddenly you have a target on your back.

Onboard firearms are as much a legal consideration as they are a security one, and every country has its own regulations. Some require boats to turn firearms over when clearing customs. Others are more lenient. In addition, it’s not uncommon to get hustled or scammed, with officials withholding guns until they’ve lined their own pockets. Nevertheless, choosing to break the law and be dishonest about whether you have guns on board comes with some risks. “I have always declared my firearms,” Walcott says. “I have seen people get caught and spend months in jail. If you’re going to travel with guns, I strongly recommend you declare them. It’s not worth the hassle or risk for either the captain or the owner.” Capt. Trevor Cockle, who spent years of his long career running renowned boats such as The Hooker and The Madam , adds, “I’d rather take my chances without guns than deal with the consequences of shady officials. Although rare, such circumstances do occur, and I’d hate to have an owner deal with the consequences.”

As is the case with almost everything in this industry, the owner and captain need to agree on the firearms protocol before an emergency or traveling abroad. “My thoughts are that captains and owners need to have clear discussions about what the gun policy is going to be,” Cockle says. “Everybody has to be on the same page to avoid an owner ever receiving that dreaded call that there has been an incident and the boat has been impounded.”

While researching this article, it became very clear that being on the same page is especially critical for captains who are new to a program. When stepping into a new job, captains are busy learning the boat’s numerous systems as well as adjusting to new relationships with the owners. While the boat’s gun policy might not have been discussed during the interview, captains must know if there are guns on board and where they are stowed. In the rare event that the boat is boarded by law enforcement, the captain will need that information to avoid a potential problem—one that could potentially result in handcuffs. Deyo encourages crews to evaluate which firearms are the most sensible choice for protection.

“Accompanied by extensive firearms training, I recommend folks have a semiautomatic rifle with a good scope for distance, a handgun and a shotgun,” Deyo says. “For those more comfortable with having a less-than-lethal option on board, a shotgun with pepper pellets could be a good fit. That said, if someone is trying to harm or kill you, I always like to point out that the less-than-­lethal setup might not be the best choice. A rifle would likely be the most effective for deterring a threat at a distance and can be used to disable a motor. You must have experience with point of aim and point of impact when defending yourself on the water, so as always, training and practice are critical.”

In addition to the extensive medical kits and training offered by D-Dey Offshore LLC, Deyo’s company outfits boaters with full firearm setups that are practical for use on a boat. “Having a gun stuffed away in a cabinet or a drawer isn’t necessarily effective when you find yourself in an emergency,” Deyo says. “Preparedness prevents poor performance, so we offer personalized private fittings to outfit people with the appropriate weapons so they have what they need. For example, whenever we sell a boating customer a rifle, we also include the proper magazine, ammunition and a sling; with handguns, we provide customized gun belts with a retention holster. I’d recommend that crews keep their firearms on their person or within safe reach when crossing through areas that have a history of piracy incidents. Again, it’s all about being prepared.”

The choice to have firearms on board is an entirely personal one. On one hand, guns provide added security and might deter an attack. On the other, traveling internationally with weapons comes with inconveniences, as well as added responsibilities and risks. “You’re kind of damned if you do and damned if you don’t,” Gillespie says. “But whether you’re carrying guns or not, avoiding the incident is the primary goal. Rely on things like speed and range before jumping into a gunfight.”

Read Next: Learn more about reducing the risk of piracy from D-Dey’s Don Deyo .

“We didn’t have guns on board during the Rapscallion hijacking,” Walcott says. “If we did, the hijackers just would have had more guns. I firmly believe that firearms aren’t always the solution. It all depends on the situation.”

Since the hijacking, Walcott has become a sounding board for many other captains. “Lots of people have called me with bad gut feelings about charters,” he says. “They’d run the scenario by me, and I’d tell them to turn around.” He’s embraced his ­experience and hopes to use it to educate and prepare others. Working with military experts, he’s designing an ­anti-piracy training course for crews. “As captains and mates, we’re managing millions of dollars in assets and traveling around the world. We need to be educated and prepared with the proper training. At some point, you have to ask yourself, ‘What’s the price of my life?’”

• More: Issue 280 , Piracy , Safety Gear

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18 anti-piracy weapons for ships to fight pirates

Related Articles

Can One Arm Their Yacht Against Pirates?

Table of Contents:

To prepare your yacht for pirate attacks, you can equip your yacht with various equipment to protect its passengers and crew. Masters and owners can also hire private armed security forces to protect their yacht against piracy. IBS can provide underwater surveillance, anti-drone systems, armed ex-military for questionable voyages, or advice on upcoming builds. A floating armory is a boat or ship that security contractors will sail just outside of international waters of countries that ban fire arms.

To arm yourself against piracy, yachts can get internal covers for large windows or buy ballistic film, which makes windows bulletproof. Barbed wire, strobe lights, and other non-lethal anti-piracy tools are also essential for utmost safety. Boat owners can arm themselves with a new raft of non-lethal anti-piracy tools, most designed for early detection and preventing pirates from boarding.

In the event of encounters with refugee boats, a one-sided fire fight can be used to fend off some attacks. Yachtsmen remain an easy target for attacks as they are considered low risk to pirates and can attract high ransoms as hostages. Armoring a yacht can cost from 400,000 to 600,000, depending on the yacht’s size and details.

To protect your yacht in unsafe waters, be visibly armed, employing a separate security team of around two to six guards. Pirates operate from very small craft, which limits their operation to moderate weather conditions. The Federal Police generally advise against arming crew on pleasure craft.

In conclusion, preparing your yacht for pirate attacks involves equipping your yacht with various equipment, hiring private armed security forces, and employing a separate security team. By following these guidelines, you can ensure the safety and security of your yacht during any pirate attack.

📹 Why Ships Stopped Using Weapons Against Pirates

For copyright matters please contact us at: [email protected] .

Why don t cruise ships get attacked by pirates?

LRAD (Long-Range Acoustic Device). One of the primary defensive tools cruise ships employ is the LRAD or Long-Range Acoustic Device. This state-of-the-art technology emits a high-pitched, directional noise that can disorient and repel potential attackers. LRAD systems are strategically positioned on cruise ships to create a sonic barrier against pirate threats. The intensity of the sound emitted can be adjusted based on the proximity of the danger, providing a non-lethal yet highly effective means of deterring pirate attacks.

Nemesis 5000 Water Gun. Developed by the Security Alliance for Effective Solutions, the Nemesis 5000 represents a significant advancement in maritime security technology. This robust water cannon can shoot a 360-degree curtain of water at speeds of up to 128 km/h. Deployed as a non-lethal weapon, the Nemesis 5000 is a formidable deterrent against pirate activities, preventing unauthorised access to the ship. Its ability to deliver a high-pressure stream of water creates a formidable barrier that pirates are unlikely to overcome, further enhancing the vessel’s security measures.

Razor Wire Barriers. To fortify the physical defences of cruise ships, razor wire barriers may be installed around the outer edges of handrails. These sharp and densely packed wires act as physical deterrents, making it exceedingly difficult for pirates to use grappling hooks or other climbing mechanisms to board the vessel. Razor wire barriers effectively reinforce the ship’s perimeter, providing additional protection against unauthorised intrusions.

How to avoid pirates while sailing?

• Select your route with care:. Avoid known problem areas, understanding that pirate vessels may be using radar to find/track you. Choose your route carefully. Consider the lunar cycle in your passage planning, moonless nights can be your friend. Some choose to travel “dark” without any visible lights, this poses its own set of risks.
• Maintain a good watch – the ability to detect possible pirates as early as possible and before they approach closely may give you a chance to evade or outrun them. Use all the tools you have. Know how to use your radar tracking feature. AIS (receive) will allow you to identify possible “friendlies” in advance if there any are nearby. Maintain a rigorous visual watch (full 360-degree scan, maximum 20-minute cycle). If you are traveling with other yachts, utilize regular (more private) MMSI communications.
• If you feel you are being followed:. Alter course in an unusual or unpredictable way and monitor the suspect vessels course changes.
• Establish VHF radio contact with any AIS or radar identified vessels nearby, then agree and switch to HF if possible, understanding that the pirates may be monitoring these transmissions as well. Detail your concern and your vessels particulars.
• Activate DSC and satellite trackers (InReach, Delorme etc.), if closely approached.
• Take a picture of the possible pirate vessel, even if it is long range. Advise any confederates that you have done so. If the pirates are listening they may reconsider. Remove your cameras media or transfer the photos to a digital stick and protect it in a well concealed but predetermined location.
• Go to MAYDAY mode if you believe you will be rammed or boarded. Use VHF and HF, having preprogrammed the USCG distress frequencies and any satellite communications you have. Assign this responsibility to a crew member who is already well familiar with their operation. Consider activating your EPIRB.
• The threat of serious violence and major damage by ramming is significant in these types of piracy events.
• If the worst happens:. Do not resist the pirates. Assemble your crew in an area where they can keep watch over each other. Cooperate, make it easy for them to take what they want (which will encourage and speed their departure). Give up your wallets and the sacrificial stash(s). Expect for your radios to be taken/disabled.
• Attempt to limit the numbers of pirates who get below (may not be possible).
• After they have left, assess and treat any injuries or damage to the boat. Retrieve your well concealed permanent backup stash. Re-establish contact with anyone you were able to reach beforehand, if possible. Then, make a full report on arrival, to authorities, your consulate and CSSN.

Do yachts get attacked by pirates?

Somali pirates are not as dangerous as they used to be, but the risk of piracy still exists, not only along the coast of Somalia but also in other regions of the world that are more popular with yachtsmen, such as Southeast Asia, South America and the Caribbean. Private yachts are easy prey in the eyes of pirates. How do you protect yourself from attack and keep your property and life safe? ItBoat publishes a translation of a Boat International article.

In Somalia, the risk of piracy has decreased, but not to zero.. The zone of high risk of falling into the clutches of Somali pirates by the efforts of the authorities has decreased: as of October 2015, its eastern border has shifted from 78 E to 65 E. Nevertheless, the old boundaries of piracy are still considered a voluntary reporting zone, and ships must take precautionary measures. Maritime security services have warned: the risk of piracy in Somali coastal waters has not completely disappeared. The military prefers to use language against piracy that is «repressed», but not «eradicated».

Meanwhile, the Indian Ocean is not the only (and currently not the main) area of risk.

Do yachts have defenses?

Similar to a home or estate, the yacht must be protected by comparable, highly-specialized, “smart” boat security systems for control of unauthorized access above and below the waterline and throughout the yacht’s interior.

Our support to private clients extends to wherever they live, work, play or travel. For some of them, much of that activity happens on vessels, from classic sailboats to mega yachts. As you would expect, ensuring the safety, security, and protection of the owner, guests, staff, vessel and equipment, as well as sensitive data and information related to the boat and its occupants, is nothing like protecting a home, corporate office or other land-based assets and activities.

It can be helpful to think about yacht security in three different environments: on the vessel, in ports or marinas, and on the open water.

Medical and emergency response capabilities range from staff members who are licensed and qualified as Emergency Medical Technicians to fully functioning hospital rooms, equipment and staff. Many large yachts include features such as decompression rooms, helipads and remote medical lines like MedAire that enable remote assessment of a patient’s condition. A few even include “citadel” or “safe rooms” complete with independent ventilation systems, pre-stored water and food supplies.

How do super yachts protect themselves?

The different types of security systems for superyachts Drones. Deck Sensors. Vessel Lockdown systems. Armed guards and physical security.

In this short article, we take a look at six diverse ways to protect super yachts against critical security threats. Owners and operators can protect their superyachts against the impact of crime in a multitude of ways.

Typically, super yacht security systems are sophisticated solutions. To secure the vessel, its assets and protect people, a well-protected superyacht and megayacht will deploy a mix of security systems and solutions.

• Table of contents. The different types of security systems for superyachts
• Early-stage inbound threat detection (ESITD)
• Using advanced CCTV surveillance cameras to protect superyachts
• How drones are deployed to protect superyachts
• Securing & protecting super yachts with deck sensors
• Vessel lockdown systems
• Deploying armed guards – physical security & human surveillance
• How to protect superyachts – quick summary

Can ships defend themselves against pirates?

Yes. Some cruise ships and container ships carry weapons for self defense from pirates especially if they travel anyway were near the coast of Somalia or Indonesia.

Do cruise ships have guns for pirates?

Cruise ships generally avoid areas with piracy risks, and if they have to sail through them they typically rely on passive defensive measures instead. Armed guards on board are relatively common on cargo vessels, but while they have occasionally been employed on cruise ships it’s not at all common.

What do cruise ships do if they see pirates?

• Ships must train their staff and crew members on dealing with pirate attacks by having a systemic plan that they must follow
• even the warning shots are fired.
• Technological tools must be present on the ship for crew members to use and alert the staff and passengers on any upcoming pirate ships. These tools may include long-range acoustic devices, night vision devices, water cannons, and barbed wires for security.
• Ships must sail with all their lights closed to avoid any attention on dangerous waters
• however, if the boat gets detected by pirates, the crew members must turn on all the lights to deter any pirate attacks and let them know the crew is ready for them.
• Fire hoses with tremendous water pressure can deter pirates in a boat heading to a cruise ship.
• Depending on the navigational capabilities of the ship, the captain can use heavy wheel movements to create enough force in the waves to ward off small pirate ships.

Some cruise lines take security measures seriously and get information and insights on the situation at sea from tracking companies and maritime information.

These cruise lines also have security officers aboard the ship who are always looking for suspicious movements in the sea. Blogger, Anastasia Tyler reported that during her cruise, two well-equipped snipers were on board her craft to fight off attackers from boarding illegally. Our Los Angeles personal injury attorneys will explain everything when you receive your free consultation.

Do superyachts have armed guards?

Most people who own super yachts would have some kind of private security. It’s common that they’re armed, but not necessarily with machine guns.

How to fight off pirates?

• Alert Coastal Security: Immediately inform the nearest coastal security authority about the approaching pirates to initiate a timely response.
• Maximize Ship Speed: Increase the ship’s speed to its maximum RPM, making it more difficult for pirates to approach.
• Aggressive Maneuvering: Employ aggressive driving techniques to create waves that can disrupt the pirates’ approach.
• Safety Measures for Crew: Instruct the crew to stay low to minimize the risk of injury from firearms or other weapons used by the pirates.
• Use of Non-Lethal Weapons: If pirates get closer, deploy non-lethal weapons like water cannons or sound cannons to deter their advance.
• Designate a Safe Room: Should pirates begin boarding, have a protocol for all crew members to retreat to a predetermined safe room.
• Compliance with Pirates’ Demands: Instruct the crew to comply with the pirates’ demands and avoid aggressive interactions to reduce the risk of harm.

Vigilance is one of the best methods for protecting a ship against a pirate attack. Pirates tend to approach and attack at dawn and dusk to avoid detection. If shipowners can steer clear of “pirate hot spots,” that is recommended too.

In the event of a pirate attack, it is also a good idea to notify the Navy, and transmit Mayday signals or satellite messages as soon as possible. If the military can intervene, The Maritime Security Center recommends that crew members, “…keep low to the deck and cover head with both hands, with hands visible and empty.” Some shipowners carry actual weapons as deterrents, but that is a complex decision with legal and safety implications. Keep in mind that non-lethal weapons can also intimidate and encourage the pirates to “pick on” a safer target.

Do cruise ships worry about pirates?

Pirates remain a real threat in certain regions, posing challenges for cruise ships navigating these waters. Over the years, cruise lines have developed extensive measures to protect passengers and crew from potential pirate attacks, ensuring a safe and secure journey.

While there have been only a few reported incidents over the past decade, the cruise industry takes the risk seriously. Cruise ships implement rigorous safety procedures and deploy advanced technologies to mitigate threats and safeguard passengers.

Safety procedures on cruise ships. Cruise ships enact various safety protocols to enhance security when sailing through pirate-prone waters. These measures include:

📹 How We Defend Against PIRATES After 10 YEARS at Sea

Stay Wild, Stay Free, Ben. Ashley. Willa. Bodhi.

Related Articles:

• How To Protect Your Yacht From Pirates?
• Can Pirates Attack Cruise Ships?
• Can Yachts Outrun Somalie Pirates?
• Do Yachts Have To Worry About Pirates?
• What Do Cruise Ships Do About Pirates?
• When The Wild Pirates Go Sailing?

Debbie Green

I am a school teacher who was bitten by the travel bug many decades ago. My husband Billy has come along for the ride and now shares my dream to travel the world with our three children.The kids Pollyanna, 13, Cooper, 12 and Tommy 9 are in love with plane trips (thank goodness) and discovering new places, experiences and of course Disneyland.

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Best Ways to Protect a Yacht from Pirates

There are many dangers a sailor has to protect a yacht from, and pirates are one of them that might provide a threat. The word “pirate” carries romantic connotations of swash-buckling, sword-brandishing rogues with eye patches forcing people to walk the plank. The image is grounded in fiction, film, and Disney rides. However, the fantasy concept is difficult to reconcile with reality. In the first quarter of 2019, 27 vessels were boarded, seven were fired at, and four attempted attacks were made. Yacht owners invest millions in protecting their property from authentic pirates in today’s real world.

Protect a Yacht: How to Do It

Here are the top products that  high-net-worth individuals  (HNWI) are harnessing to deter pirates or other criminals from their yachts:

Anti-Drone Protection

This device can detect commercial drones within a range of approximately 20 km, provide a GPS position. Additionally, it can also pinpoint their heading and speed. When there is a threat, the anti-drone system can enable an electronic exclusion zone around the yacht, disrupting any drone’s control signal.

Cloaking System

The GOST Cloaking System  provides a layer of protection  in the interim between the alarm going off and the arrival of a response team by emitting a cloud of smoke that confuses the intruder and reduces visibility to under a foot.

Dazzle Guns

The dazzle gun does precisely what its name implies: it “dazzles” the intruder. The gun is a non-lethal, FDA-approved green laser that temporarily blinds and disorients the pirates. By doing this, it encourages retreat or buys valuable time for the yacht crew to react.

Exterior Lockdown Systems

A sailor can fit encrypted smart locks wirelessly to the exterior doors of a yacht, allowing for remote control or access from a centrally located spot on board. The system also enables the lockdown of specific zones on board. Additionally, it provides access logs that particular people can download.

Escape Rooms and Pods

Hidden escape rooms have ventilation, food, water, and communications equipment. Emergency watertight and fireproof escape pods with GPS, temperature control, and air purification are also in development.

Long-Range Acoustic Device

The LRAD is an anti-piracy device using non-lethal, pain-inducing sound waves to repel intruders. This weapon is an effective deterrent on yachts by emitting a high-pitched tone above human levels of tolerance.

Propeller Entanglement

This air-launched net is made of spectra rope and uses weighted loops to entangle the propellor and stop a vessel’s momentum. It is a helpful defense tool when another vehicle is in pursuit of the yacht.

Underwater Sonar Detection

Small, lightweight sonar detection systems can detect, identify, and track underwater vehicles or divers approaching a yacht from up to 1,200 meters away. The device alerts security when a threat is detected.

Surveilling Robots

The Throwbot is a high-tech micro-robot that a sailor can throw into locations for indoor or outdoor audio and video surveillance purposes. This remote-controlled robot has infrared illuminators that enable it to obtain footage even in low-light conditions.

Yacht insurance is still a critical component with all the glamorous bells and whistles of vessel defense. High-net-worth individuals should take steps to be sure their property is fully protected.

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At Byrnes Agency , we offer insurance solutions that can be tailored to meet your specific needs. Whether you’re looking for personal policies or commercial coverage, we have the right coverage for you. To learn more about our products, contact us today at one of our two locations.

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From Safe Rooms to Escape Pods: Here’s How Yacht Owners Are Protecting Themselves From Pirates

Increasingly, manufacturers like bering yachts are providing a range of preventative safety features to yacht owners., michael verdon, michael verdon's most recent stories, this curvaceous 140-foot hybrid catamaran is powered by ai.

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In the yachting world, self-defense has gone on the offensive. Roman Abramovich’s 533-foot Eclipse is rumored to have an antimissile defense system, while the 165-foot Thunder could potentially launch missiles of its own, thanks to Australian builder Oceanfast’s military pedigree. “Its multi-fin stabilization system was designed to keep the deck level for firing projectiles—even in big seas, the boat doesn’t roll,” says former captain Max Burgazli. “Another plus is that nobody spills their drinks.”

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Other gigayachts have reportedly incorporated safe rooms, and the current demand for submersibles includes those who consider them potential escape pods. For pleasure cruisers, such high-stress considerations might seem counterintuitive, but yacht owners are increasingly adding security to onboard must-have lists, even on smaller yachts.

If missiles are too extreme, perhaps bulletproofing is the way to go. Bering Yachts is now working with the luxury-vehicle armorer Trasco Bremen GmbH to reinforce its 80- to 180-ft expedition yachts. Armoring your vessel “doesn’t mean you’re going to Somalia,” says Bering CEO Alexei Mikhailov. “Random crime can happen anywhere.”

Bering and Trasco focus on the pilothouse and engine room, both vulnerable points during an attack. “Instead of a panic room, where people wait for help, it makes more sense to protect areas where owners and crew still control the yacht,” says Trasco CEO Sergej Lizun. “They lock themselves in, summon help and head for shore.”

Armoring a yacht can cost from $400,000 to $600,000, depending on the yacht’s size and details. Protected areas include the roof, the door and upgraded glass rated to bulletproof VPAM Level 6, able to withstand repeated rounds from an AK-47. The reinforcements can add up to 10,000 pounds to the boat’s weight, so it makes more sense on an explorer yacht than a planing vessel. And the structure isn’t just a steel box; the armored frame needs to be grenade-proof while still allowing for entry points to accommodate cables, vents and special locks, while the doors and walls overlap to protect from angled shots.

Thunder superyacht .  Courtesy IYC

Beyond armored rooms, Mikhailov prescribes a combination of anti-piracy deterrents such as long-range acoustic devices that emit high-pitched noises to repel invaders, a green-light “dazzle” gun to disorient attackers and motion detectors on the decks. “Incident rehearsals” that simulate the yacht being besieged by pirates (or paparazzi) are popular for training crew, especially after something untoward has happened, says Horst Ruetten,

CEO of I.B.S. International Operative Services , a German firm specializing in superyacht security. The company has seen service requests rise 5 to 10 percent each year since 2016. Need more? IBS can also provide sonar for underwater surveillance, anti-drone systems for aerial protection, armed ex-military for questionable voyages or advisement on upcoming builds. Ruetten says client requests for these defensive systems are rare compared to, say, intruder detection systems. “We do a lot more consulting during the build and refit processes for risk analysis and protection concepts,” he says.

One last tip, from Bering’s Mikhailov: If all else fails, reverse the yacht’s stabilizers to try to literally shake attackers off the boat. “It clears the decks fast,” he says. And it’s far cheaper than an antimissile system.

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• Bering Yachts

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A new laser system to defend ships from pirates.

The pirate menace in the seas may soon come to a halt if the British engineers at BAE systems have anything to say about it. Having developed a new kind of defense system which uses lasers to immobilize pirates by dazzling them on approach, this is the first non- lethal form of attack against the pirates. The laser has proven its efficacy against moving targets more than a mile away.

Developed in response to growing pirate threats and hijackings, this device literally hides the vessel carrying it behind the blinding green glare that is the laser. These in turn lead pirates off- course with weapons losing aim. The three foot wide beam of light temporarily dazzles anyone who lays eyes on it. Having been tested at trials conducted at the Pershore Laser Trials Range in Worcester, U.K, the laser works both in day light as well as in the night. Its design also allows it to be mounted on smaller yachts to protect them against the pirates.

The laser is being developed to be used in conjunction with high frequency surface radar that is to pin point the location of the faster, smaller type of vessels used by pirates like the Somalian pirates . This enables the system to automate the laser directly on the target and also fire beams rapidly at multiple targets, producing a profound flickering which exemplifies the “dazzle- effect” further.

The modus operandi of the pirates usually includes the element of surprise which help in over- powering a ship. The early detection of the pirates therefore not only acts as a signal to them, but also incapacitates them as they move closer in. Used within the safety limits, the device is not thought to cause blindness. “We have started to look at the piracy issue over the past 18 months due to the increasing threats to vessels around the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea. The laser provides a secondary capability over larger distances as it can act like a warning. We are also going to look at how different patterns and flickering can increase that affect.” says Bryan Hore, the head of BAE Systems new anti piracy arm.

The world witnessed 440 piracy incidents and 51 hijackings worldwide in 2010 alone. Presently, some 600 sailors are thought to be held hostage by the Somalian pirates. To them, the development of the laser rings in hope. This development in the field emerged with the alleged closure plans of the British military command post that runs operations against the Somalian pirates. The laser is yet to be approved for use under the UN’s Protocol on Blinding Laser Weapons before deployment on ships.

Reference : telegraph

Image Credits : ohgizmo, blogspot,topnews

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Marine Insight News Network is a premier source for up-to-date, comprehensive, and insightful coverage of the maritime industry. Dedicated to offering the latest news, trends, and analyses in shipping, marine technology, regulations, and global maritime affairs, Marine Insight News Network prides itself on delivering accurate, engaging, and relevant information.

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