Step 3 of 3•16 minutes read
Physical Barriers
When navigating through a high-risk area, ships depending on the type and circumstances might be provided with special armed guards onboard. These act as security when transiting piracy areas and are usually deployed on ships with very low freeboards and slow speeds.
Having said that, when it comes to ships with larger freeboards and higher speeds such as container ships and car carriers, it is very unlikely to find such armed guards onboard because these types of ships can carry out additional special measures more efficiently than others.
The following physical barriers may be amongst those deployed onboard ships before the transit within risk areas:
- Upper Deck Lighting.
- Barbed Wire.
- Greased Access Points.
- Water Spray and Foam Monitors.
- CCTV.
- Mannequins.
- Extra means of controlling the access to Bridge, Accommodation and Machinery Spaces.
Physical barriers are therefore intended to make it tough for attackers to gain access to the ship. This is done by simply increasing the difficulty of the climb. When the placement of barriers is being done, it is of paramount importance to consult the SSP (ship security plan) to ensure that the equipment is positioned most effectively.
Water spray and foam monitors are extremely effective in deterring or delaying any attempt to board the ship, additionally, it makes it difficult for any unauthorized boat to approach and remain alongside therefore making it hard for any attacker to climb onboard.
The deployment of hoses and foam monitors all around the ship is recommended and usually done onboard most ships. These are fixed in various locations when passing through a high-risk area. The hoses are usually kept in the open position so when a skiff approaches, they are remotely operated by the simple switching on of the pump. This remote operation avoids the need to send crew members out on deck to open the hoses during such attacks.
Water cannons deliver water in a vertical sweeping arc and therefore cover a greater part of the hull. Whilst the use of foam is disorientating and very slippery.
During such conditions, the use of all available fire and general service pumps such as the emergency fire pump and ballast pumps may be required to ensure that all the defences operate efficiently. Additional power may be required when using such pumps, and therefore the supporting systems such as generators should also be ready for immediate use.
Practice, observation, and drills of the use of this equipment will ensure the best way for using them to be provided with the best effective coverage of vulnerable areas.
Barbed wire is very commonly used onboard ships as a physical barrier. To create an effective barrier the barbed wired would need to be properly rigged and secured. Additionally, the quality of the barbed wire used will also increase its effectiveness as a barrier. It is therefore recommended to:
- Use barbed wire, which is difficult to cut with hand tools.
- If possible, use a double roll, otherwise, a single roll should be placed outboard of the ship’s structure.
- Secure the wire properly to the ship to prevent attackers from pulling the wire off.
When provided with CCTV onboard, the ship personnel have the advantage of being able to monitor things from a safe area, since otherwise once an attack is underway, it becomes difficult to assess whether the attackers have managed to gain access to the ship. Additionally, when available, such equipment should also be installed inside the Citadel. The following should be considered when installing such equipment:
- CCTV cameras for coverage of vulnerable areas, such as the ship’s stern and the bridge.
- CCTV monitors located on the bridge and at the Citadel.
It is recommended to use more lighting when passing through such areas. This is done to ensure that any unidentified approaching boat knows that it is being observed. Additionally, it will assist the watchkeepers and the various look-out personnel assigned around the ship, whilst on duty.
It is important to note, that at no time shall the navigation lights be switched off at night time.
The bridge is usually the main focal point of an attack, this is due to the fact that access to the bridge will give the attackers full control. Control of the machinery spaces and accommodation access will assist in deterring or delaying entry. It is hence crucial to enhance the means of access to such locations. The following enhancements are usually considered for ships passing through risk areas:
- Blast-resistant film can be applied to the bridge windows to act as protection against flying glass, in the event that the attackers fire at the bridge windows.
- Chain link fencing can also be used to reduce the effects of an RPG.
- Sandbags to provide additional protection on the bridge wings.
- The vulnerability of bridge doors is considered.
- Staircases to access point leading inside the accommodation, bridge, and engine room may be greased or blocked.
- Ladders on the accommodation block, if any, should be removed to restrict access to the bridge.
- Doors and hatches providing access to the bridge, accommodation, and machinery spaces should be additionally secured to prevent them from being opened from the outside.
- The use of doors and hatches leading to the accommodation, bridge, and machinery spaces should be controlled by the Officer of the Watch.
- Doors and hatches that must be closed for watertight integrity are to be fully dogged down in addition to any locks.
- Where possible, additional securing mechanisms, such as wire strops, may be used to secure doors.
- Fitting steel bars to portholes and windows will prevent access through such means.
Procedures for controlling access to the accommodation, machinery spaces, and storerooms should be properly briefed to the crew. When carrying out such enhancements, it is important to keep in mind that any physical barrier used should at no time impede access to life-saving appliances.
Escape routes must therefore always remain accessible to the seafarers in the event of an emergency and where a door or hatch is located on an escape route from a manned compartment, it is essential that it can be opened from the inside even when it is locked by any means from the outside.
Mannequins
Mannequins are another means of physical barrier. Dummies may be rigged in various prominent positions on the ship which will make it look like additional manpower onboard and will act as an intimidating factor.
Mannequin secured in a prominent location onboard. Photo: Jörgen Språng
Citadel
During the Company’s ship security assessment (SSA) and planning process, a location within the ship will be identified as a safe muster point also known as a citadel. A safe muster point or citadel should be:
- A designated area capable of providing maximum physical protection to the crew members.
- An area where crew members who are not required on the bridge or the engine control room or crew who are not assigned any security duties, will muster if the ship is under threat.
- A short-term safe haven, which will provide protection should firing weapons be used.
Citadel is, therefore, a term used for a compartment onboard designated as last resort security for the crew during a piracy or an armed robbery attack. This place is properly highlighted in the ship security plan (SSP) and all crew onboard will know the location of this assigned space. Onboard ships, this is usually the steering gear room, since this ensures that the ship’s crew still have full control of the ship’s steering and therefore can maintain control of the ship even when in hide-out for as long as possible. When choosing a Citadel, it must be ensured that there is proper means of ventilation. Additionally, the citadel should be:
- A hardened room that prevents penetration by small firearms and forceful entry.
- Big enough to safely accommodate all the crew onboard.
- Free of any dangerous fire suppression systems, such as CO2.
- Equipped with internal and external communications.
- Supplied with water, medical and toilet facilities.
- Able to access security CCTV and emergency system controls.