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How to pirate-proof a ship
Razor wire, Gurkhas and sonic weapons are being routinely deployed on ships sailing in the pirate-infested waters off the Horn of Africa in an attempt to pirate-proof ships of all kinds. While ships try to go through the Suez Canal, pirate attacks on pretty much anything sailing off East Africa are rising and extra measures are being taken to protect the ships and their passengers.A 25-nation naval presence is helping but earlier this year the Saga cruise ship Spirit Of Adventure was chased by and eventually outpaced pirates in the Indian Ocean.
Shipping companies and cruise lines won't say exactly what they are doing to deter pirates but Cunard's Queen Elizabeth has been deploying razor wire to make boarding from the sea all but impossible. A Cunard spokesman told Express.co.uk "When we are in the at-risk area we deploy lookouts all around the ship to ensure that no boats are trying to get close. "On the stern, which is the pirates' favoured point of access, we have used razor wire. The passengers can see it but it can't harm them as it is fenced off."
Cruise ships typically monitor the sea with radar and use speed of their ships and the height of their lower decks to thwart pirates. Sonic weapons are also being used that put out a debilitating sound that turns pirates away as are high-power water hoses to knock pirates back down to water level.
"Our ships are fast and have a lot of people on board – 2,000 passengers and 1,000 crew on the Queen Elizabeth – so the chances of pirates even attempting to tackle a ship like that are very low" Cunard said.
Flickr photo by expertinfantry
Cruise ships typically monitor the sea with radar and use speed of their ships and the height of their lower decks to thwart pirates. Sonic weapons are also being used that put out a debilitating sound that turns pirates away as are high-power water hoses to knock pirates back down to water level.
"Our ships are fast and have a lot of people on board – 2,000 passengers and 1,000 crew on the Queen Elizabeth – so the chances of pirates even attempting to tackle a ship like that are very low" Cunard said.
Flickr photo by expertinfantry
Filed under: Africa, Europe, North America, Somalia, United Kingdom, United States, Cruises, Caribbean, Travel Security
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Aleida Apr 19th 2011 9:38PM
Maybe it's the media frenzy that happens whenever pirates are involved but it seems to me like this is a problem that is just continuing to get worse despite efforts to combat it.
Ciela S. Apr 20th 2011 3:47PM
Why not forget this stupid PC crap? These are people who want to kidnap and kill and hold the rest of the world hostage to their demands. Arm the damned ships with heavy artillery and blow the damned pirates out of the water!!
It would only take about twiceand this nonsense would stop!