18 Anti-Piracy Weapons for Ships to Fight Pirates

Maritime Piracy has become a major security risk in the past few years. It has a massive economic cost but its damage to human life is unmeasurable. It has a huge impact on the lives of seafarers who might go through traumatic events involving blackmailing, kidnapping, harassment or torture. However, there are methods to thwart and combat piracy and this is where anti-piracy weapons and measures come to the rescue, some of which are discussed in this article.

1. Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD)

A long-range acoustic device is a non-lethal anti-piracy device that uses a pain-inducing sound beam to drive away pirates. The sonic weapon produces high-pitched noise that is higher than the tolerance level of an average human being. LRAD has been used on a few cargo and cruise ships until now.

2. Anti-Piracy Laser Device

The anti-piracy laser device uses a non-lethal laser beam to provide a visual warning to pirates and distract them temporarily. The laser device can be used during the day and night and can be easily operated by the ship’s crew.

Learn about BAE’s anti-piracy laser system and LSD 100 laser system here.

3. Water Cannons

Water cannon is extensively used on merchant vessels. It delivers a powerful and impenetrable stream of water that blows away pirates trying to board the ship. The cannon can also quickly fill the pirates’ boats, slowing them down and hindering their manoeuvrability.

Most water cannon anti-piracy systems can be remotely controlled from ships.

4. Electric Secure Fence

An electric fence surrounds the ship and prevents pirates from climbing. It is collapsible and can be folded and kept safe when not in use.

Secure Ship is another type of electric fence system which can be effectively used to prevent pirates from climbing ships.

5. Nets – Boat Traps

A boat trap stops pirate boats when they come near a merchant ship. When in water, the net ensnares the propellers of the boats which disable the vessel, preventing it from moving forward.

6. Slippery Foam

Slippery foam or Anti-traction material makes the deck or sides of a ship slippery do pirates cannot climb it. The highly viscous substance substantially reduces the traction of anything that comes in contact with it, making it difficult to walk or stand.

7. Foul Smelling liquid – Liquid Deterrent System ( or using a Stun Gun)

An anti-piracy technology by the International Maritime Security Network of the US involves showering approaching pirates with slick, foul-smelling green liquid, which stinks and burns. The burning sensation and the nasty stink force pirates to jump into the water, thus stopping a possible pirate attack.

8. Anti-boarding device – Razor Wire Canister

Anti-boarding device is an anti-piracy method which uses canisters with sharp razor wires to prevent pirates from boarding the ship. The wires act as a barrier between the pirates and the ship, which thwarts the forward movement of pirates.

9. Compressed Air  – Ship Bourne Shore Launcher

The Ship Bourne Shore Launcher is a product of a UK-based company. The Buccaneer Ship Bourne Shore Launcher is a cannon-shaped device that uses compressed air to fire a variety of projectiles. The power and lethality of the projectiles used can vary according to the distance of the pirates from the ship.

10. P Trap Anti Piracy

The P-trap concept is a non-lethal system which helps prevent pirates from boarding ships. The system carries thin lines that float at the water level around the vessel’s sides. When pirate skiffs/boats come in contact with the lines, the latter gets entangled with the engine and disables the vessel.

11. Anti Piracy Curtain

Designed by a division of Japan’s NYK group along with hose manufacturer Yokoi, the anti-piracy curtain is a unique method to keep pirates from climbing the ships.

The system consists of a series of hoses dangled on the port and starboard sides of the vessel. Seawater is passed through the nozzles at a force of 0.2 MegaPascal, making the hoses go in an unpredictable whirling motion, generating enough force to seriously hurt anyone who gets in the way.

12. Stun Grenade

A stun grenade or flash grenade produces a blinding flash of light and loud noise.  Stun grenades are used to temporarily disorient pirates’ senses without causing any permanent injuries.

13. Dazzle Gun

Dazzle Gun uses green light to disorient and temporarily blind the pirates. The concentrated blast of green light can be used during the day and night.

14. Rubber Ball Grenade

Rubber ball grenades spray rubber bullets on detonation. The anti-piracy grenade also produces light and sound which can be used to deter pirates from coming towards the ship.

15. Active Denial System – Pain Ray (Electromagnetic wave)

Officially known as the Active Denial System (ADS), the Pain Ray transmits a narrow beam of electromagnetic energy to heat the skin without causing permanent damage. The wave penetrates the skin causing an unbearable burning sensation, forcing pirates to run away or jump overboard.

16. Anti-Piracy Fire Hoses 

Ship fire hoses or special Anti-piracy fire hoses are often used to fight pirates trying to board ships. These high-pressure water hoses are extremely powerful and effective in fighting pirates. Special anti-piracy fire hoses also come with semi-automatic and remote control systems.

17. Molotov Cocktail 

Technically not a hi-tech anti-piracy weapon, the Molotov cocktail has been used by crew of a few merchant ships which were not provided with anti-piracy weapons or armed guards.  Molotov cocktails can be made on ships using empty glass bottles, a flammable substance such as gasoline, and a source of ignition such as a burning cloth wick. It can be thrown on an approaching pirate boat to set it ablaze and disturb its manoeuvrability.

18. Tasers – Electric Shock

If pirates do get on board ships, the crew and ship’s cargo can be protected using tasers that give an electric shock, temporarily causing the pirates to lose neuromuscular control. The device can be used as the last resort to protect the ship’s crew from pirates.

This is not an exhaustive list of anti-piracy weapons which are or have been used against pirates on high seas. Many of them have not yet been used or implemented on ships. However, if the situation demands, they can be used as non-lethal weapons to keep pirates away from merchant vessels.

Do you know any other successful anti-piracy weapon to tackle maritime piracy?

Let us know in the comments!

You may also like to read –

• 10 Most Famous Pirates of the Marine World 
• 8 Best 3D Pirate Ship Puzzles

Image Credits

solarnavigator, ggpht, argotrade, maritimejournal, motorship, theblaze, wikipedia, blogspot, quantico

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