PIRATE ATTACKS DRILL ASSUMPTION -DEMO PART 3

[ ８ ] Assembling crew to fixed stations to deter pirates from boarding

(Assumption)

Upon receiving the order to raise the alarm and proceed to designated stations,

crew should go to their respective stations and report to the bridge. (Watering

procedures and so forth are omitted.) Later, the master judges it is dangerous to

leave crew on deck since being attacked by firearms, order them to withdraw

into the ship.

＜Drill scenario＞

Master ⇒ (Raise the alarm onboard ship.)

“Pirates are approaching from port side stern.

Except for those in charge of operations, all crew

to proceed to designated stations.” “Water

discharging team, report to the bridge with

transceiver.”

Each designated place ⇒ (communication room) “Communication

arrangement team is in position.”

(bridge) “Bridge support team is in position.”

(engine control room) “Fire pump operation team

is in position.”

(crew on the deck) “Water discharging team is in

position at stern fire pumps.”

(others) “XXX team is in position.”

Master ⇒ (to the water discharging team)

“Can you deter pirates from boarding?”

Water discharging team ⇒ “We can’t as they are firing on us.”

Master ⇒ “Water discharging team withdraw into the ship.”

Water discharging team ⇒ “Water discharging team is withdrawn into the

ship. Everyone is safe.” “All portals are secured.”

Master ⇒ “Drill is over.”

※ In carrying out this drill, while water is being discharged, have crew who

are not assigned to water discharge duty secure all but a few portals so that

those stationed on deck can withdraw into the ship. The location of unsecured

portals should be determined in advance.

※ Even after all crew have withdrawn from the deck, continue to make every

effort, including maneuvering, to throw off the pirates.

[ ９ ] Enhancing anti-piracy patrols

(Assumption)

In order to enhance patrols in preparation for pirate attacks, carry out this drill to

identify what needs to be focused on when grasping developments in

surrounding areas from the bridge and to motivate crew.

※ Pirates approach ships in various ways. However, ambush-style attack is

considered common among these.

※ Some past piracy cases reveal that 1) the pirates first approach a ship

diagonal forward position while maintaining a certain distance; 2) still

maintaining this distance, the pirates will then proceed to the stern of the ship;

3) the pirates further approach the ship from astern at higher speed; and 4) the

pirates board the ship by hooking ropes and other instruments against

handrails and attack.

※ In the event pirates are divided into several boats, some examples show that

1) groups of pirates approach a ship directly from a diagonal forward position;

2) the pirates approach further to surround the ship; and 3) the pirates attempt

to board the ship where freeboard is low.

※ Therefore, it is necessary to carefully monitor small boats nearby, and also

maintain a close watch on boats that have gone past each other.

※ As many pirates tend to launch attacks in unlit boats, it is essential to

monitor surroundings by radar.

※ Depending on sea and weather conditions, small boats may not be visible

by ordinary radar unless they come within a close distance of two to three

miles. It is also possible that they may not be visible due to an obstruction or

blind spot even if they are close at hand.

In either case, it is very important to detect the approach of pirates at an

early stage to avoid attacks.

＜Drill scenario＞

Master ⇒ “We will have watchkeeper launch a piracy detection drill.”

(Read out the prepared assumption at the bridge.)

“Assume radar has detected two apparent fishing boats at

position 40 degrees portside, three miles ahead.”

Watchkeeper ⇒ “I have detected two small boats approaching in position 40

degrees to portside, three miles ahead, but cannot see any

lights.”

Watchofficer ⇒ “Continue to watch their movements.”

Master ⇒ “Assume small boats will pass about 500 meters to port.”

Watchkeeper ⇒ “I still cannot see any lights. Boats are navigating at around

10 knots, and both will likely to pass about three cables to

port if no changes occur.”

Watchofficer ⇒ “Starboard 10.”

Watchkeeper ⇒ “They are passing about three cables to port. I cannot see any

lights.”

Watchofficer ⇒ “Continue to watch movements.”

Watchofficer ⇒ “Return to original course.”

Master ⇒ “Assume small boats have changed their course and are

approaching our ship from astern portside.”

Watchkeeper ⇒ “Two boats have changed their course and are approaching.”

Watchofficer ⇒ “Prepare searchlights.”

“Flash them in the direction of the two boats.”

Watchkeeper ⇒ “Boats are two cables away, increasing speed.”

Watchofficer ⇒ “Increase speed to maximum.”

“Sound a blast.” (Blast as a warning.)

“Prepare for raising the alarm.”

Master ⇒ “Assume small boats have given up approaching us.”

Watchkeeper ⇒ “Small boats are decreasing speed.”

“Both have stopped.”

Watchofficer ⇒ “We will maintain this speed until we are at a sufficient

distance from the two boats.”

Master ⇒ “Drill is over.”

※ In this drill, taking into account the typical practices of pirates in boats,

focus on the following points to note to raise awareness of essential

precautions.

○ Pay attention to small suspicious boats.

○ Pay attention to small boats that have not displaying any lights.

○ Continue to watch movements of smaller boats that have passed your ship

at relatively short distances.

○ Always monitor the radar when navigating dangerous waters.

○ Recognize that a distance of about three miles can be reached in just a few

minutes.

※ In this drill, the changing of course, the application of searchlights and the

increasing of speed can be carried out just by procedures only.

※ This drill can be carried out for the crew on duty at the bridge only.

[１０] Recording acts of piracy

(Assumption)

While anchoring, the watchkeeper discovers that pirates have boarded the ship at

the bow. When a blast is sounded, the pirates dived into the sea and fled in a

small boat.

※ Recording the specific details of the piracy as much as possible, even

during a dangerous situation, will be useful for future reference.

※ The master is stationed on the bridge as arranged, but it is assumed that the

master showed up to the bridge when the alarm was raised.

＜Drill scenario＞

Watchkeeper ⇒ (Raise the alarm onboard ship.)

“Pirates have boarded at the bow deck. All crew should be

on a full alert.”

(Sound a warning blast.)

Master ⇒ (Show up to the bridge and confirm the situation.)

“Turn on searchlights and all illumination devices on deck.”

“How many pirates have boarded?”

Watchkeeper ⇒ “I witnessed two, but both dived into the sea when the

warning blast was sounded.”

Master ⇒ “Bring the video camera.”

“Flash searchlight to follow the pirates.”

Watchkeeper ⇒ (Flash searchlight.)

“I have found a small boat. Four pirates are onboard.”

Others in bridge⇒ “Video camera is ready. I will record the small boat.”

Watchkeeper ⇒ “Boat is pulling a life raft.”

Master ⇒ “Take note of developments and features of the boat.”

Watchkeeper ⇒ “We can no longer confirm the presence of the boat.”

Master ⇒ “Continue monitoring the surrounding area for a while.”

“Write down how many minutes have passed and what has

happened.”

(Make an announcement onboard ship.)

“Pirate boat is gone. They seem to have taken our life raft.

All team leaders assemble to the bridge so as to make

onboard search and check for damages. (just procedures

only)

“Drill is over.”

※ Record as many details of the piracy as possible when an imminent risk has

been avoided or when the ship is being chased by the pirate boat.

※ These data will be very useful when coast guard authorities conduct an

investigation, submitting report to operating companies, and to prove facts on

damage.

It is desirable to keep record by photographs or by video camera to grasp

the features of the pirates.

※ It is desirable to have film and video cameras at hand on the bridge so that

a visual record can be made at once.

[１１] Countermeasures once pirates have boarded the ship

(Assumption)

A crew witnesses at the stern some pirates boarding the ship and reports this to

the bridge. The bridge raises the alarm onboard the ship and issues a warning to

the pirates.

＜Drill scenario＞

Witnessed crew⇒ (Escape immediately from the site and report to the bridge.)

“As many as three pirates are on the stern deck. I do not

know whether or not they have any firearms.”

Watchofficer ⇒ (Raise the alarm onboard the ship, but do not sound a blast

yet.)

(following the alarm)

“Pirates have boarded the stern deck. Secure all quarters

doors. Stay inside. Be quiet. Be cautious as they might try to

intrude your area.” (Give these commands at the bridge.)

“Report to coast guard authority immediately.”

Watchkeeper ⇒ (Report to the coast guard authority.) (just procedures only).

“Report made to coast guard authority.”

Master ⇒ “Have deck lights and searchlights ready.”

“Sound a blast, and turn all lights on.”

Watchkeeper ⇒ “All lights are on.”

Master ⇒ “Flash searchlights to the stern of the ship.”

Watchkeeper ⇒ “Some pirates appear to have dived into the sea.”

“I see a boat that may belong to them.”

Master ⇒ “Turn off bow lights. We will continue sailing as we are

now.”

(after sailing for some time)

“Pirates have dived into the sea and fled.”

“We will search inside of the ship. All crew except those in

duty, assemble at XXX room. Work in groups of three or

more.”

(just procedures only)

Watchkeeper ⇒ “Searches inside and outside of the ship are over. Life raft

container on the starboard stern is missing. There are no

other problems.”

Master ⇒ “Report situation to coast guard authority.”

Watchkeeper ⇒ (just procedures only) “Report is made.”

Master ⇒ (to the ship) “Drill is over.”

※ In switching on all the lights at the same time, it may temporarily

deteriorate the function of noctovision, etc. Thus, its effect should be taken

into account.

※ Be careful when switching on the lights on deck and the searchlight,

because the lights not only have the effect of blinding the pirates, but at the

same time they may also prevent the crew from seeing as well.

[１２] Escaping to secured areas

(Assumption)

Confirmed that the pirates have boarded the ship and judged that they may have

entered into some rooms of the ship, order the crew to secure facilities and

escape into designated closed areas, including the bridge.

＜Drill scenario＞

Master ⇒ (Raise the alarm onboard the ship.) “Pirates seem to have

intruded the on-deck storehouse at the stern. All crew to

secure onboard facilities. Work in groups as some pirates

may have already entered inside.”

(At the same time, secure bridge portals so that it may not

be accessible from outside.)

“When facilities are secured, everyone but the watchkeeper

is to meet at room XXX or XXX, whichever is closer.”

Master ⇒ “Report situation to coast guard authority.”

Watchofficer ⇒ “Report has been made.”

Watchofficer ⇒ (Call each room to confirm members are present.) (When

their presence is confirmed, sound a blast, and turn all lights

on.)

Watchkeeper ⇒ “Two pirates entered the storehouse but seem to have dived

into the sea.”

Master ⇒ “Drill is over.”

※ Under these circumstances, if it has become clear that some crew has

become hostage of the pirates, the master should instruct crew not to put up

any unnecessary resistance and to resort to negotiation whenever possible.

Let all the crew know in advance that those who can escape from the

control of the pirates and can move should dispatch a distress signal using

GMDSS devices, taking care that they are not detected by pirates.

※ Although the use of illumination devices can blind pirates, keep in mind

that they can also temporarily deteriorate the function of noctovision, etc.

  TO BE CONTINUE..............