New Counterpiracy Equipment As Navy Warns of Upturn In Piracy

The US Navy says acts of piracy around the Somali coast will increase as the monsoon season has ended. At the same time, British Aerospace (BAE) Systems has announced new counter-piracy technology for cargo ships.

According to the US Navy News, crewmen of merchant ships are advised to take evasive manoeuvres in the event of a pirate attack. This is because although at least 30 warships are on patrol in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean, where the pirates attack most often, the vast size of the area makes it impossible for them to respond to every distress call. Commodore Tim Lowe, deputy commander, Combined Maritime Forces in the area, said: ”In this environment, the importance of merchant mariners as first line defenders against pirates is absolutely vital.”

Lowe added: "The crews of those merchant vessels that have employed evasive manoeuvring and other defensive measures to protect their ships and their cargoes have proven to be more successful at evading attack, and providing time for military assets to assist."

And BAE Systems new technology aims to make it even harder for pirates to surprise merchant ships. Engineers at the company have come up with a sophisticated early warning system aimed at enabling ships’ crews to detect small pirate ships and boats at a distance of 25 kilometres (about 17 miles) Defenceweb reports.

The early warning will enable the crews to take evasive action or warn nearby naval forces to help.

The system combines a form of Surface Wave Radar, a 360 degree video camera capability which includes movement detection, so-called „”passive” radar (radar in listening-only mode) and improved all-around lighting at to deter the pirates.

BAE Systems Director of Solutions Development, Nick Stoppard, said: ”Technology and capability sea trials in partnership with ship owners are expected to take place within the first three months of next year.”