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Employing evasive manoeuvres and hoses must rest on a determination to successfully deter attackers or to delay their boarding to allow all crew members to gain the sanctuary of secure areas. Continued heavy wheel movements with attackers on board may lessen their confidence that they will be able to return safely to their craft and may persuade them to disembark quickly. However, responses of this kind could lead to reprisals by the attackers if they seize crew members and should not be engaged in unless the master is convinced he can use them to advantage and without risk to those on board. They should not be used if the attackers have already seized crew members.
Firearms
40 The carrying and use of firearms for personal protection or protection of a ship is strongly discouraged.
41 Carriage of arms on board ship may encourage attackers to carry firearms thereby escalating an already dangerous situation, and any firearms on board may themselves become an attractive target for an attacker. The use of firearms requires special training and aptitudes and the risk of accidents with firearms carried on board ship is great. In some jurisdictions, killing a national may have unforeseen consequences even for a person who believes he has acted in self defence.
The phase of suspected or attempted piracy attack
Suspected piracy vessel detected
42 Early detection of suspected attacks must be the first line of defence. If the vigilance and surveillance has been successful, a pirate/armed robbery vessel will be detected early. This is the stage at which the law enforcement agencies of the nearest littoral or coastal State must be informed. The ship's crew should be warned and, if not already in their defensive positions, they should move to them. Evasive manoeuvres and hoses should be vigorously employed as detailed in the preparation phase.
Being certain that piracy will be attempted
43 If not already in touch with the law enforcement agencies of the littoral coastal State, efforts should be made to establish contact. Crew preparations should be completed and NUC lights should be flashed to warn other vessels in the vicinity that an attack is about to take place. Vigorous manoeuvring should be continued and maximum speed should be sustained if navigation conditions permit.
Pirate vessel in proximity to, or in contact with, own vessel
44 Vigorous use of hoses in the boarding area should be continued.
It may
be possible to cast off grappling hooks and poles, provided the ship's crew are not put to unnecessary danger.
Pirates start to board vessel
45 Timing during this phase will be critical and as soon as it is appreciated that a boarding is inevitable all crew should be ordered to seek their secure positions.
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