Top 10 Low-Cost Ways to Combat Piracy

July 10, 2024

Piracy remains a significant threat in many parts of the world. While high-tech solutions can be effective, they often come with substantial costs. Here are ten low-cost strategies to combat piracy, complete with estimated costs, installation details, benefits, and potential drawbacks to help you enhance your ship’s security without breaking the bank.

ShipUniverse: Article Summary
Method	Description	Estimated Cost	Installation Details	Benefits	Potential Drawbacks
Deploy Razor Wire	Installing razor wire around the ship’s perimeter can deter pirates from attempting to board.	$500 – $1,000	Razor wire can be installed along the railings and other accessible areas of the ship. It requires secure fastening to withstand tampering and environmental conditions.	Acts as a physical barrier; Difficult and dangerous for pirates to climb; Low maintenance once installed	Potential injury to crew if not handled properly; Can be unsightly and intimidating for passengers on commercial vessels
Use of Water Hoses	High-pressure water hoses can be used to repel pirates attempting to board the ship.	$200 – $500	Water hoses should be strategically placed around the deck with access to high-pressure water supply points. Training the crew on effective use is essential.	Non-lethal deterrent; Can be used continuously as needed; Effective in making it difficult for pirates to approach or climb the vessel	Limited by the water supply and pressure available; Requires crew operation and coordination; Effectiveness can be reduced in rough sea conditions
Install Dummy Cameras	Installing dummy (fake) cameras around the ship can create the illusion of constant surveillance.	$50 – $150	Dummy cameras should be placed in visible locations where they can be easily seen by anyone approaching the ship. Combining them with some real cameras can enhance effectiveness.	Low cost and easy to install; Creates a psychological deterrent; Maintenance-free	Ineffective if pirates realize the cameras are fake; Does not provide actual surveillance or recording capabilities; Should be used in conjunction with other security measures
Deploy Long-Range Acoustic Devices (LRAD)	LRADs are non-lethal sonic devices that emit powerful sound waves to deter pirates from approaching.	$5,000 – $30,000	LRADs should be mounted on the deck with a clear line of sight to potential approach vectors. They require power supply and training for effective use.	Non-lethal and humane; Effective at long ranges; Can be used to communicate warnings	Can cause discomfort or hearing damage if misused; Requires proper training for effective operation; Limited effectiveness in high wind or rough sea conditions
Use of Dazzle Lights	High-intensity strobe lights used to disorient and temporarily blind pirates approaching the ship.	$100 – $300	Dazzle lights should be installed around the deck and focused on likely boarding points. They require a power source and strategic placement for maximum effectiveness.	Non-lethal deterrent; Effective at night and in low visibility conditions; Simple to operate and maintain	Limited effectiveness in daylight; May require multiple units to cover all access points; Can be disorienting to crew if misused
Training and Awareness Programs	Regular training sessions to educate the crew about piracy threats and response protocols.	$0 – $500	Conduct regular training sessions and drills. Use online resources, printed materials, and, if possible, professional trainers.	Increases crew awareness and preparedness; Enhances teamwork and coordination; Low-cost and highly effective	Requires time investment from the crew; Needs regular updates to remain effective; Effectiveness depends on crew engagement and participation
Deploy Anti-Piracy Alarms	Loud alarms can be activated to scare off pirates and alert the crew to a potential threat.	$100 – $300	Alarms should be installed at strategic locations around the ship. They require a power source and can be connected to the ship’s security system for remote activation.	Creates a high level of noise to deter pirates; Alerts the crew to take defensive actions; Easy to install and maintain	Can cause panic if not properly managed; Limited effectiveness if pirates are determined or heavily armed; Needs regular maintenance to ensure functionality
Use of Fire Hoses	Using the ship’s existing fire hoses to repel boarders with high-pressure water.	$0 – $200	Ensure fire hoses are accessible and in good working order. Conduct regular drills to train the crew on effective use.	Utilizes existing equipment; Non-lethal and safe; Effective at close range	Limited by water supply and pressure; Requires crew operation and coordination; Can be less effective in rough sea conditions
Create a Citadel (Safe Room)	A secure area where the crew can retreat in case of a piracy attack.	$500 – $1,500	Choose a secure location on the ship and reinforce it with strong doors and locks. Equip it with communication devices, food, water, and medical supplies.	Provides a safe place for the crew; Allows time for naval forces to respond; Enhances overall security during an attack	Can be costly if extensive modifications are needed; Occupants may feel trapped if not properly ventilated; Requires regular checks and maintenance
Portable Acoustic Hailing Devices	Portable acoustic hailing devices can be used to communicate and warn off approaching vessels.	$1,000 – $3,000	These devices are portable and can be used as needed. They require proper training for effective use.	Effective communication tool; Non-lethal deterrent; Can be used to issue warnings and instructions	Higher cost compared to other low-cost options; Requires proper training for effective use; Limited effectiveness in very noisy environments

1. Deploy Razor Wire

Description: Installing razor wire around the ship’s perimeter can deter pirates from attempting to board.
Estimated Cost: $500 – $1,000 for a medium-sized vessel.
Installation Details: Razor wire can be installed along the railings and other accessible areas of the ship. It requires secure fastening to withstand tampering and environmental conditions.
Benefits:
- Acts as a physical barrier
- Difficult and dangerous for pirates to climb
- Low maintenance once installed
Potential Drawbacks:
- Potential injury to crew if not handled properly
- Can be unsightly and intimidating for passengers on commercial vessels

2. Use of Water Hoses

Description: High-pressure water hoses can be used to repel pirates attempting to board the ship.
Estimated Cost: $200 – $500 for hoses and nozzles.
Installation Details: Water hoses should be strategically placed around the deck with access to high-pressure water supply points. Training the crew on effective use is essential.
Benefits:
- Non-lethal deterrent
- Can be used continuously as needed
- Effective in making it difficult for pirates to approach or climb the vessel
Potential Drawbacks:
- Limited by the water supply and pressure available
- Requires crew operation and coordination
- Effectiveness can be reduced in rough sea conditions

3. Install Dummy Cameras

Description: Installing dummy (fake) cameras around the ship can create the illusion of constant surveillance.
Estimated Cost: $50 – $150 per dummy camera.
Installation Details: Dummy cameras should be placed in visible locations where they can be easily seen by anyone approaching the ship. Combining them with some real cameras can enhance effectiveness.
Benefits:
- Low cost and easy to install
- Creates a psychological deterrent
- Maintenance-free
Potential Drawbacks:
- Ineffective if pirates realize the cameras are fake
- Does not provide actual surveillance or recording capabilities
- Should be used in conjunction with other security measures

4. Use of Dazzle Lights

Description: High-intensity strobe lights used to disorient and temporarily blind pirates approaching the ship.
Estimated Cost: $100 – $300 per light.
Installation Details: Dazzle lights should be installed around the deck and focused on likely boarding points. They require a power source and strategic placement for maximum effectiveness.
Benefits:
- Non-lethal deterrent
- Effective at night and in low visibility conditions
- Simple to operate and maintain
Potential Drawbacks:
- Limited effectiveness in daylight
- May require multiple units to cover all access points
- Can be disorienting to crew if misused

5. Training and Awareness Programs

Description: Regular training sessions to educate the crew about piracy threats and response protocols.
Estimated Cost: $0 – $500 for materials and potential trainer fees.
Installation Details: Conduct regular training sessions and drills. Use online resources, printed materials, and, if possible, professional trainers.
Benefits:
- Increases crew awareness and preparedness
- Enhances teamwork and coordination
- Low-cost and highly effective
Potential Drawbacks:
- Requires time investment from the crew
- Needs regular updates to remain effective
- Effectiveness depends on crew engagement and participation

6. Ship Hardening Techniques

Description: Strengthening the ship’s physical structure to make it harder for pirates to board.
Estimated Cost: $500 – $2,000 depending on materials and extent of hardening.
Installation Details: Reinforce vulnerable areas such as doors, hatches, and portholes with metal grilles, bars, or additional locks. Secure ladders and other boarding aids.
Benefits:
- Physical deterrent that makes boarding difficult
- Long-lasting with minimal maintenance
Potential Drawbacks:
- Initial installation can be labor-intensive
- May affect the ship’s aesthetics or operational convenience

7. Deploy Anti-Piracy Alarms

Description: Loud alarms can be activated to scare off pirates and alert the crew to a potential threat.
Estimated Cost: $100 – $300 per unit.
Installation Details: Alarms should be installed at strategic locations around the ship. They require a power source and can be connected to the ship’s security system for remote activation.
Benefits:
- Creates a high level of noise to deter pirates
- Alerts the crew to take defensive actions
- Easy to install and maintain
Potential Drawbacks:
- Can cause panic if not properly managed
- Limited effectiveness if pirates are determined or heavily armed
- Needs regular maintenance to ensure functionality

8. Use of Fire Hoses

Description: Using the ship’s existing fire hoses to repel boarders with high-pressure water.
Estimated Cost: $0 – $200 for any additional hose nozzles or fittings.
Installation Details: Ensure fire hoses are accessible and in good working order. Conduct regular drills to train the crew on effective use.
Benefits:
- Utilizes existing equipment
- Non-lethal and safe
- Effective at close range
Potential Drawbacks:
- Limited by water supply and pressure
- Requires crew operation and coordination
- Can be less effective in rough sea conditions

9. Create a Citadel (Safe Room)

Description: A secure area where the crew can retreat in case of a piracy attack.
Estimated Cost: $500 – $1,500 for basic modifications and supplies.
Installation Details: Choose a secure location on the ship and reinforce it with strong doors and locks. Equip it with communication devices, food, water, and medical supplies.
Benefits:
- Provides a safe place for the crew
- Allows time for naval forces to respond
- Enhances overall security during an attack
Potential Drawbacks:
- Can be costly if extensive modifications are needed
- Occupants may feel trapped if not properly ventilated
- Requires regular checks and maintenance

10. Portable Acoustic Hailing Devices

Description: Portable acoustic hailing devices can be used to communicate and warn off approaching vessels.
Estimated Cost: $1,000 – $3,000 for basic models.
Installation Details: These devices are portable and can be used as needed. They require proper training for effective use.
Benefits:
- Effective communication tool
- Non-lethal deterrent
- Can be used to issue warnings and instructions
Potential Drawbacks:
- Higher cost compared to other low-cost options
- Requires proper training for effective use
- Limited effectiveness in very noisy environments

By incorporating these low-cost measures, ship operators can significantly enhance the security of their vessels and crews without incurring substantial expenses. These strategies provide practical and affordable solutions to deter piracy, contributing to a comprehensive anti-piracy plan. Implementing a combination of these methods can offer robust protection against piracy threats.