*Red denotes a successful attack. Yellow marks an attempt

This Google Maps mashup, brought to gCaptain’s attention by wired’s blog monkeybites, documents all known attacks of modern pirates over the pass year.

.

This Youtube video, Maritime Terror, provided by Journeyman Pictures takes a look at Modern Piracy. Here is more information on Maritime Terror.

Security analysts are increasingly worried that organisations like Al Qaeda are planning to target commercial shipping.

The Malacca strait between Indonesia and Malaysia has long been a haven for pirates. Last year 21 seamen were killed and a further 71 are missing presumed dead following pirate attacks. “We have seen rocket-propelled grenades being fired at the vessel to force it to stop,” states Captain Pottengal Mukundan from the International Maritime Bureau. But the biggest fear is of a terrorist attack. “This is a relatively narrow passageway which provides certain operational advantages to the attackers,” explains security analyst Brian Jenkins. Mukundan agrees: “You could have a major maritime terrorist incident.” The attacks on the USS Cole and The Limburg demonstrate just how vulnerable even warships are to attacks. Analysing the nature of the maritime threat has become a growing industry. But it’s not just security analysts taking the threat seriously. Earlier this year, the US suggested sending the marines to patrol the Malacca Strait. The threat was enough to galvanise the Indonesian, Malay and Singaporean navies into action. They’re now jointly patrolling the Straits. But whether this will be enough to deter terrorists remains to be seen.

Links

The Bright Spot – Imprisonment of Pirates

La Ponant Captured By Somali Pirates

Related Posts:

• piracy at sea – seajacking and phantom ships
• Casualty Outlook
• Sirius Star Released By Pirates
• Poll – What Is The Best Solution For Piracy Somalia?
• Piracy In Somalia – FAQ Part 1

Experts attempting to understand the strategic aims behind China’s aggressive military expansion have generally focused on Taiwan. But a new naval base points at Beijing’s significant and growing interest in projecting power into waters far from the Taiwan Strait.

The new underground base for submarines and comfortable facilities that would attract technically proficient soldiers and sailors. Its location will allow China to exert greater dominance over disputed territories of the South China Sea; to place a much larger naval force closer to sea lanes crucial to Asia’s commercial lifeblood; and to exercise influence over the critical Straits of Malacca. (Source: Wall Street Journal – NPR Audio)

If you think that it is no big deal that China is building submarines at an alarming rate take a look at this video of an Australian Navy torpedo test.

And if you think the US Navy has the ability to protect Merchant Shipping against this kind of attack first ask: can they protect themselves?

If not can they at least protect the US Mainland and that of our allies against China’s new boomers?

Details:

The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) sunk HMAS Torrens on June 14th 1999 with a single Mk48 wire guided torpedo fired from the Collins Class submarine Farncomb. Torrens was the last of six Australian ‘River Class’ Type 12 Destroyer-Escort, the others (Derwent, Parramatta, Stuart, Swan and Yarra) having been disposed of previously. Before the sinking Torrens had been thoroughly cleaned of all fuels, oils and potentially environmentally harmful substances. Her gun turret was donated to the South Western City of Albany. Torrens was then towed from Fleet Base West (HMAS Stirling) 90km out to sea, west of Perth. The submarine Farncomb fired the torpedo at the stationary target from a submerged position over the horizon . (Source: BTInternet)

For the science behind the explosion click HERE.

Video:

Related Posts:

• US Navy Vs China An Impeccable Incident – A Video Explanation
• USNS Impeccable – Harassed by Chinese Navy + FAQ
• USNS Impeccable Incident Video Released
• China Sends Patrol Ship, Yuzheng 311, to South China Sea
• Russian Hovercraft: China Place Order

Photo by Peter MacDonald

Here at gCaptain we are interested in all things we can drive our ships over, under or through… this includes bridges. Our friends at Deputy Dog bring us the world’s most interesting bridge. Ok, it’s not really a bridge but its location (map) at the north end of the Malacca Straight makes it of particular interest to mariners. Click HERE for more information and the video!

Related Posts:

• Bridge Designs – 5 Most Ambitious of Today
• Spotting Bridges 101 – A Basic Guide To Bridge Design
• Large Ships Call for Taller Bridges, Tight Squeezes
• Ships In Concrete – Best Maritime Inspired Architecture
• Building An Earthquake Resistant Bridge – Video

The IMB reports on a sharp increase in the number or piracy attacks. The BBC tells us:

The increase is in large part because of a jump in incidents off the west and east coasts of Africa – with Somalia again a key source of concern.

The IMB advises merchant ships to stay at least 200 nautical miles from the Somali coast.

The UK-based global watchdog, which comes under the auspices of the International Chamber of Commerce, says the pirates appear to be using “mother vessels” to launch smaller boats well out to sea. Read More…

The numeric rise in incidents is not the only problem. EagleSpeak reports on acts of cruelty being perpetrated by Somali pirates (LINK). What’s being done about the problem? NATO has considered active protection of ships near Somalia and France has offered to protect the Word Food Program’s ships in the area. Otherwise, not much.

Links;

• Piracy hotline and Google map of recent attacks.
• gCaptai’s Maritime Security Posts
• National Geographic Piracy Expose

Related Posts:

• BREAKING NEWS – M/V Athena – Somali Pirates Coordinating Attacks
• piracy at sea – seajacking and phantom ships
• The Straight of Malacca – A Dark Passage
• Piracy in European Waters?
• Coast Guard Issues A Maritime Security Directive in Response to Piracy

In this modern age with AIS tracking and global satellite coverage you may ask how a pirate can get away with stealing an entire ship. Occasionally referred to as Seajacking this video shows how legal ships are stolen and redocumented to appear legitimate.

Seajacking and phantom ships:

Related Video:

• Chinese Pirates (part 2 of above series)
• Maritime Security Roudtable

Related Posts:

• The Repo Man of Ships
• The Protector – Anti Piracy Robot
• Piracy In Somalia – FAQ Part 1
• Pirate Attacks and Hijackings – Weekly Report
• Merchant Vessels Fend Off Attackers in Gulf of Aden

“For centuries, this sliver of ocean has captivated seamen, offering the most direct route between India and China, along with a bounty of resources, including spices, rubber, mahogany, and tin. But it is a watery kingdom unto itself, harboring hundreds of rivers that feed into the channel, miles of swampy shoreline, and a vast constellation of tiny islands, reefs, and shoals. Some inhabitants made their living as pirates, preying on foreign vessels that dared to ply their waters. Armadas of these skilled sea raiders in light, maneuverable craft regularly plundered passing ships and retreated upriver to fortified villages. Their raids yielded troves of gold, gems, gunpowder, opium, and slaves, which they used to build powerful sultanates that dominated much of the Sumatran and Malaysian coastlines. “

An extract from this month’s excellent National Geographic cover story “The Straight of Malacca – Dark Passage“

Related Posts:

• pirates are ‘thriving’ – IMB sees 14% increase in attacks
• piracy at sea – seajacking and phantom ships
• A New Solution To A Pressing Problem – Maritime Piracy
• Cruise Ship Detours Guests Around Gulf of Aden
• BREAKING NEWS – M/V Athena – Somali Pirates Coordinating Attacks