Here are more pirate attack photos. Best is that they use Molotov Cocktails as part of their defense strategy as suggested in my post “On Defending Unarmed Merchant Ships Against Pirates” (Are they drinking on board? Looks like the company owes them a couple rounds at the next port, AND A BIG FAT BONUS!)
Photos found via the UK’s Mail Online’s story “Pictured: Desperate Chinese sailors fight off Somali pirates with beer bottles and Molotov cocktails” and reproduced here for the benefit of seafarers:
- “Standby to repel boarders: A Chinese sailor lights a Molotov cocktail before throwing it overboard at Somali pirates” -
- “Peeking over to see the damage inflicted on the pirates, a Chinese sailor and his shipmates prepare more missiles to throw at the bandits” -
- “By now the pirates have boarded the cargo ship and take aim at the sailors with a machine gun and rocket launcher” -
- “This picture released by the International Maritime Bureau’s piracy centre shows one of the Somali boats (circled in red) coming up behind the Chinese cargo ship” -
- “Four of the nine pirates wander about the deck of the Chinese cargo ship. To prevent the vessel falling into their hands, the sailors had locked themselves in their accommodation area” -
- Having been blasted with gunfire from two helicopters, the Somali bandits climb back aboard their speedboats and flee to their hideout -
Seems that they did a great job fighting off the pirates, especially given that they had boarded the ship. One item that can be improved on is better protection for the seafarers who are fighting back, such as better armor in the areas they are using as defensive positions. As seen in my previous pirate photo post “Pirate Attack Photos – M/V KAPITAN MASLOV” RPGs can go right through soft ship steel.
Great job. Lets see more of this.
Amazing that by simply locking the accommodations, you can deny entry…. provided you have a lookout that spots them in time!
Amazing that by simply locking the accommodations, you can deny entry…. provided you have a lookout that spots them in time!
[...] Pirate Attack Photos – ZHENHUA 4 [...]
Foolish comments, probably written from behind a shore-based desk.
Any idea about the consequences faced by these crews, when their defence is not succesfull ?
Offshore Somalia is not a fun shoot-um-up videogame. Mind you.
Foolish comments, probably written from behind a shore-based desk.
Any idea about the consequences faced by these crews, when their defence is not succesfull ?
Offshore Somalia is not a fun shoot-um-up videogame. Mind you.
Why yes Marc, I am pretty sure that consequences are thought of. I know that I am thinking of it. Take the case of the MV BISCAGLIA. They had a security team onboard and they have gotten lots of grief for jumping overboard to escape being captured by pirates. As I have mentioned before, that was probably their best option because the pirates just might have executed them on the spot, to send a message to anyone else who wants to fight back.
There are a number of ships that have been held for a while and whose operators just might have done the math and decided that it is cheaper to let the pirates keep their catch. Ships get abandoned all over the world. There is nothing to say that a couple ships off Somalia have been abandoned by all but their crews families…..
With that said, it is best to do whatever possible to keep the pirates from gaining control of your ship. A peaceful takeover is no free ticket to a safe release.
Foolish comments? John sails. I sit behind a desk now, but I have also sailed and even have experience standing pirate watch on a slow-moving, low-freeboard ship in that very part of the world with the only unsecured entry into the house up on the bridge.Thankfully we at least had weapons to defend ourselves.
Of course some of my defense suggestions are foolish. Then again, look at some of the alternatives such as stopping and putting out the pilot ladder to get on the pirate’s good side.
What we are looking for is ways to defend against pirate attack. Firearms appear to be out due to regulatory issues. This leaves more-foolish ideas. Some of them might be good/effective….. So what is your suggestion?
Why yes Marc, I am pretty sure that consequences are thought of. I know that I am thinking of it. Take the case of the MV BISCAGLIA. They had a security team onboard and they have gotten lots of grief for jumping overboard to escape being captured by pirates. As I have mentioned before, that was probably their best option because the pirates just might have executed them on the spot, to send a message to anyone else who wants to fight back.
There are a number of ships that have been held for a while and whose operators just might have done the math and decided that it is cheaper to let the pirates keep their catch. Ships get abandoned all over the world. There is nothing to say that a couple ships off Somalia have been abandoned by all but their crews families…..
With that said, it is best to do whatever possible to keep the pirates from gaining control of your ship. A peaceful takeover is no free ticket to a safe release.
Foolish comments? John sails. I sit behind a desk now, but I have also sailed and even have experience standing pirate watch on a slow-moving, low-freeboard ship in that very part of the world with the only unsecured entry into the house up on the bridge.Thankfully we at least had weapons to defend ourselves.
Of course some of my defense suggestions are foolish. Then again, look at some of the alternatives such as stopping and putting out the pilot ladder to get on the pirate’s good side.
What we are looking for is ways to defend against pirate attack. Firearms appear to be out due to regulatory issues. This leaves more-foolish ideas. Some of them might be good/effective….. So what is your suggestion?
Marc,
There are no consequences if the pirates don’t get control!
Marc,
There are no consequences if the pirates don’t get control!
So, here we are now…
A bunch of sailors is left with bare hands, ah hum, and beerbottles, firehoses and any makeshift “weapons” they can invent, against heavily armed pirates.
The pitch of certain articles is to applaude this dangerous DIY-approach to fighting of pirates.
The international community -as a whole- is clearly doing not enough, if you judge them based on goals.
They cannot prevent ships being captured under their very noses, and fail to follow-up if they can lay hands on pirates.
All this lack of effective countermeasures is actually encouraging these pirates a lot.
I wouldn’t mind ships being armed – with real arms, not with potato-guns – and stand a fight.
What’s even better would be a tougher attitude of the navies involved; a clear and definite signal that piracy is not accepted by nations.
So, here we are now…
A bunch of sailors is left with bare hands, ah hum, and beerbottles, firehoses and any makeshift “weapons” they can invent, against heavily armed pirates.
The pitch of certain articles is to applaude this dangerous DIY-approach to fighting of pirates.
The international community -as a whole- is clearly doing not enough, if you judge them based on goals.
They cannot prevent ships being captured under their very noses, and fail to follow-up if they can lay hands on pirates.
All this lack of effective countermeasures is actually encouraging these pirates a lot.
I wouldn’t mind ships being armed – with real arms, not with potato-guns – and stand a fight.
What’s even better would be a tougher attitude of the navies involved; a clear and definite signal that piracy is not accepted by nations.
I see this post as simply some brain storming, of course some ideas are going to be more practical then other. As for DIY defense, not that its the best approach overall but practicably speaking a vessel under attack is on its own until help arrives. I am going to be transiting the Gulf of Aden soon, I am not going to tell the company I plan to delay until the appropriate UN resolution is passed. I have a mortgage payment to make regardless of what level of support I receive and pirates are not going to take my ship. Where does that leave me?
I see this post as simply some brain storming, of course some ideas are going to be more practical then other. As for DIY defense, not that its the best approach overall but practicably speaking a vessel under attack is on its own until help arrives. I am going to be transiting the Gulf of Aden soon, I am not going to tell the company I plan to delay until the appropriate UN resolution is passed. I have a mortgage payment to make regardless of what level of support I receive and pirates are not going to take my ship. Where does that leave me?
1. To John: examining the photos, seeing the particular layout of the accomodation, noticing the fact that the pirates had an RPG, I do not understand they simply did not blast their way in.
2. To capt. Mike: there may be grave consequences if you set up an unsuccesfull defence. This is reflected by the pattern of behaviour of these pirates.
3. To Kenebec captain: Colleague, I wish you the very best of luck on your next passage through the Gulf of Aden. Remember that your “frontier” style of thinking will not work with empty hands.
Marc
1. To John: examining the photos, seeing the particular layout of the accomodation, noticing the fact that the pirates had an RPG, I do not understand they simply did not blast their way in.
2. To capt. Mike: there may be grave consequences if you set up an unsuccesfull defence. This is reflected by the pattern of behaviour of these pirates.
3. To Kenebec captain: Colleague, I wish you the very best of luck on your next passage through the Gulf of Aden. Remember that your “frontier” style of thinking will not work with empty hands.
Marc
Marc – Thank you for your remarks. Just to be clear though, I’m not endorsing the strategy used on the Zhen Hua. What I agree with is creative thinking and brainstorming. We face a relatively low risk on a fast ship with high sides. My emphasis is on early detection and techniques to delay attackers (extra lookouts, doubled up watches, unmanned fire hoses, locked doors, evasive maneuvers) while keeping the crew safe till help arrives.
Marc – Thank you for your remarks. Just to be clear though, I’m not endorsing the strategy used on the Zhen Hua. What I agree with is creative thinking and brainstorming. We face a relatively low risk on a fast ship with high sides. My emphasis is on early detection and techniques to delay attackers (extra lookouts, doubled up watches, unmanned fire hoses, locked doors, evasive maneuvers) while keeping the crew safe till help arrives.
As a civilian landlubber I am amazed and appalled that the captains have virtually no recourse to defense of their vessels. Firehoses and Axes? That is an insult to the sailors putting there lives on the line to deliver goods.
This so-called Piracy is no different from the Drug Traffic faced in Latin America and a similar War On Pirates Should/Must be declared.
- Where are the ship owners on this?
- Why can't / won;t they bring the pressure needed to properly arm vessels or provide Military Support?
- Why do major Ports ban legitimate registered vessels who happen to arm themselves to protect life, ship, and cargo ?
Failing the above I can only see the following recourse:
- Build your own compressed 2" air deck cannon, in theory to fire rubber shells, but load it with molotav's as needed.
- Build your own Compressed air cannons, but make it robust enough to handle 2 pound charges of Black Powder with Cannister Shot.
- Engage Blackwater , a properly armed squad with M-60's, M-16's, and their own RPGS
picked up and dropped off outside the authority of the ports
- Arm yourselves and damn the ports: a dozen SKS carbines can be had for less than 150 EU each and secured in a hidden locker.
- Get the *truth* out to the press! Refuse assignments in this region and organize a Sailor's Blockade until the pirates are wiped out. That entire region of Africa is in an unfortunate state of chaos – whilst I feel for the innocent civilians that are affected
the lawlessness will continue as long as it is both profitable and tolerated.
Paying them off is stupid and shortsighted – as Kipling said, "once you pay the Danegeld, you never get rid of the Dane" (no offense to the Dainish)
grumpy old guy
(get off my lawn)
As a military veteran sailor, I certainly endorse attempts at "peaceful" methods; barbed wire to booby-trapped acom ladders to for Pete's sake have acom ladders that can be pulled onboard! We did! As for the talk of "consequences" of resistance if the pirates take the ship, since when does surrender become the #1 option? Do military units lay down their arms in order not to risk the consequences if they are defeated after resisting? This is pure civilian thinking, and defeatist as well. All we are doing is encouraging the pirates by showing them we will always surrender! How can you even call this an approach to defence? Finally, the legal principle of not arming civilian ships simply must be properly rewritten. War has shown us that not arming civilian ships does NOT prevent the enemy from sinking them anyway. Is this crippling level of piracy not a war? Put the necessary guns on ships passing through harm's way together with a military team from the ship's country's navy, and work it out with the ports who resist . If such weapons and naval teams abide by appropriate laws, all involved will see the necessity. DON'T GIVE UP THE SHIP!
As a civilian landlubber I am amazed and appalled that the captains have virtually no recourse to defense of their vessels. Firehoses and Axes? That is an insult to the sailors putting there lives on the line to deliver goods.
This so-called Piracy is no different from the Drug Traffic faced in Latin America and a similar War On Pirates Should/Must be declared.
- Where are the ship owners on this?
- Why can't / won;t they bring the pressure needed to properly arm vessels or provide Military Support?
- Why do major Ports ban legitimate registered vessels who happen to arm themselves to protect life, ship, and cargo ?
Failing the above I can only see the following recourse:
- Build your own compressed 2" air deck cannon, in theory to fire rubber shells, but load it with molotav's as needed.
- Build your own Compressed air cannons, but make it robust enough to handle 2 pound charges of Black Powder with Cannister Shot.
- Engage Blackwater , a properly armed squad with M-60's, M-16's, and their own RPGS
picked up and dropped off outside the authority of the ports
- Arm yourselves and damn the ports: a dozen SKS carbines can be had for less than 150 EU each and secured in a hidden locker.
- Get the *truth* out to the press! Refuse assignments in this region and organize a Sailor's Blockade until the pirates are wiped out. That entire region of Africa is in an unfortunate state of chaos – whilst I feel for the innocent civilians that are affected
the lawlessness will continue as long as it is both profitable and tolerated.
Paying them off is stupid and shortsighted – as Kipling said, "once you pay the Danegeld, you never get rid of the Dane" (no offense to the Dainish)
grumpy old guy
(get off my lawn)
As a military veteran sailor, I certainly endorse attempts at "peaceful" methods; barbed wire to booby-trapped acom ladders to for Pete's sake have acom ladders that can be pulled onboard! We did! As for the talk of "consequences" of resistance if the pirates take the ship, since when does surrender become the #1 option? Do military units lay down their arms in order not to risk the consequences if they are defeated after resisting? This is pure civilian thinking, and defeatist as well. All we are doing is encouraging the pirates by showing them we will always surrender! How can you even call this an approach to defence? Finally, the legal principle of not arming civilian ships simply must be properly rewritten. War has shown us that not arming civilian ships does NOT prevent the enemy from sinking them anyway. Is this crippling level of piracy not a war? Put the necessary guns on ships passing through harm's way together with a military team from the ship's country's navy, and work it out with the ports who resist . If such weapons and naval teams abide by appropriate laws, all involved will see the necessity. DON'T GIVE UP THE SHIP!
-
I know nothing about commercial shipping, but I was aware of piracy around the horn, having read some articles on this issue. I had a thought, since commercial vessels will sometimes take on passengers for minimal or reduced passage, can't these passengers(since they are not part of the crew) have their own arms? Would this be an infringement of international maritime laws? Could the captain profess not knowing that his passengers were armed?
Thomas Jefferson said we should "clean out the nest" when he was dealing with US piracy issues at the beginning of the 19th century, still applicable today. If the current US administration expects a multilateral approach to ridding the seas of piracy, we will be sorely dissapointed, our "allies" in that part of the world, the Saudis should certainly lend a hand, but who knows, maybe the pirates are being funded by a another Muslim nation. Maybe this is jihad, or guerilla terrorism, Something to think about.
-
I know nothing about commercial shipping, but I was aware of piracy around the horn, having read some articles on this issue. I had a thought, since commercial vessels will sometimes take on passengers for minimal or reduced passage, can't these passengers(since they are not part of the crew) have their own arms? Would this be an infringement of international maritime laws? Could the captain profess not knowing that his passengers were armed?
Thomas Jefferson said we should "clean out the nest" when he was dealing with US piracy issues at the beginning of the 19th century, still applicable today. If the current US administration expects a multilateral approach to ridding the seas of piracy, we will be sorely dissapointed, our "allies" in that part of the world, the Saudis should certainly lend a hand, but who knows, maybe the pirates are being funded by a another Muslim nation. Maybe this is jihad, or guerilla terrorism, Something to think about.