BCB International to launch device that can stop pirate skiffs in their tracks
UK company BCB International, which makes compressed air cannons, has reported increased interest for a new floating entanglement device which, it claims, can stop pirate skiffs in their tracks.
The Cardiff based maritime security and survival company unveiled a new floating entanglement projectile which can be deployed from its compressed air launcher known as the ‘Sea Stinger’. The company reports that it is focusing on new techniques of combating the growing menace of sea piracy as part of the IMO World Maritime Week (26-30 September).
BCB International’s marine projects officer, Jonathan Delf, said: “Since we demonstrated both the ‘Sea Stinger’ and its new floating entanglement line at the world’s biggest defence and security trade fair in London last week (DSEi), we have been inundated with enquiries about the technology.
“Our compressed air launchers like the ‘Sea Stinger’ can be fired remotely from a ship’s bridge or a Port Authority’s control room. The Sea Stinger’s new floating entanglement line works very much like the road spikes used by the police to stop vehicles who take part in criminal activities. The vessel arresting line entangles itself around the propellers of a water craft like skiffs or rigid inflatable boats used for acts of piracy as well as other criminal acts and terrorist threats. It operates at pressures up to 1,000lb/in2 and the projectiles deployed by the Sea Stinger can reach speeds of up to 350m/s. The Sea Stinger can also deploy a variety of other projectiles such as life saving buoyancy aids and smoke for screening or marking.
“Piracy is a problem that has dogged shipping companies for several years. In actual fact the problem is getting worse. The maritime industry is slowly realising that it needs to cast its net wider and start looking at new piracy protection technologies that do not place their vessels and crews under any further unnecessary risk. We believe that our compressed air anti-piracy launchers like the ‘Sea Stinger’ ticks all the boxes.”
Source: The Motorship