4.1 Commonly, two small high speed (up to 25 knots)
open boats or ‘skiffs’ are used in attacks, often approaching
from either quarter or the stern. Skiffs are frequently fitted with
2 outboard engines or a larger single 60hp engine.
4.2 Pirate Action Groups operate in a number of
different boat configurations. To date whatever the configuration
the attack phase is carried out by skiffs. Pirate Action Group boat
configurations include:
- Skiffs only – usually two.
- Open whalers carrying significant quantities of fuel often towing
2 or more attack skiffs.
- Motherships which have included the very largest of merchant ships,
fishing vessels and dhows.
These Motherships have been taken by the pirates and usually
have their own crew onboard as hostages. Motherships are used to carry
pirates, stores, fuel and attack skiffs to enable pirates to operate
over a much larger area and are significantly less affected by the
weather. Attack skiffs are often towed behind the Motherships. Where
the size of the Mothership allows it, skiffs are increasingly being
carried onboard and camouflaged to reduce chances of interdiction
by Naval/ Military forces.
4.3 Increasingly, pirates use small arms fire
and Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs) in an effort to intimidate Masters
of ships to reduce speed and stop to allow the pirates to board. The
use of these weapons is generally focused on the bridge and accommodation
area. In what are difficult circumstances, it is very important to
maintain Full Sea Speed, increasing speed where possible, and using
careful manoeuvring to resist the attack.
4.4 Somali pirates seek to place their skiffs
alongside the ship being attacked to enable one or more armed pirates
to climb onboard. Pirates frequently use long lightweight ladders
and ropes, or a long hooked pole with a knotted climbing rope to climb
up the side of the vessel being attacked. Once onboard the pirate
(or pirates) will generally make their way to the bridge to try to
take control of the vessel. Once on the bridge the pirate/pirates
will demand that the ship slows/stops to enable further pirates to
board.
4.5 Attacks have taken place at most times of
the day. However, many pirate attacks have taken place early in the
morning, at first light. Attacks have occurred at night, particularly
clear moonlit nights, but night time attacks are less common.
4.6 The majority of piracy attacks have been repelled
by ship’s crew who have planned and trained in advance of the
passage and applied the BMPs contained within this booklet.