27 Maintaining vigilance is essential. All too
often the first indication of an attack has been when the attackers
appear on the bridge or in the master’s cabin. Advance warning
of a possible attack will give the opportunity to sound alarms, alert
other ships and the coastal authorities, illuminate the suspect craft,
undertake evasive manoeuvring or initiate other response procedures.
Signs that the ship is aware it is being approached can deter attackers.
28 When ships are in, or approaching areas of
known risk of piracy or armed robbery, bridge watches and look-outs
should be augmented, bearing in mind that many attacks are mounted
from astern. Additional watches on the stern or covering radar “blind
spots” should be considered. Companies should consider investing
in low-light binoculars for bridge staff and look-outs. Radar should
be constantly manned but it may be difficult to detect low profile
fast moving craft on ship’s radars. A yacht radar mounted on
the stern may provide additional radar cover capable of detecting
small craft approaching from astern when the ship is underway. Use
of an appropriately positioned yacht radar when the ship is at anchor
may also provide warning of the close approach of small craft.
29 It is particularly important to maintain a
radar and visual watch for craft which may be trailing the ship when
underway but which could close in quickly when mounting an attack.
Small craft which appear to be matching the speed of the ship on a
parallel or following course should always be treated with suspicion.
When a suspect craft has been noticed, it is important that an effective
all-round watch is maintained for fear the first craft is a decoy
with the intention to board the ship from a second craft while attention
is focused on the first.
30 In addition to the use of overt means of transmitting
alerts, the ship security alert system could be used in the event
of a piracy or armed robbery attack. It should, however, be borne
in mind that certain non-disclosure issues prevail with regards to
the configuration and locations of the system.
31 Companies owning or operating ships that frequently
visit areas where attacks occur should consider the purchase and use
of more sophisticated visual and electronic devices in order to augment
both radar and visual watch capability against attackers’ craft
at night, thereby improving the prospects of obtaining an early warning
of a possible attack. In particular, the provision of night vision
devices, small radars to cover the blind stern arcs, closed circuit
television and physical devices, such as barbed wire, may be considered.
In certain circumstances non-lethal weapons such as acoustic devices,
may also be appropriate. Infrared detection and alerting equipment
may also be utilized.