Source: Maritime Security Council
Recent observations of Somali pirate tactics indicate that Somali pirates are employing a new technique to board merchant vessels which are using concertina (razor) or barbed wire as a defensive measure to prevent unauthorized boarding. The pirates are throwing blankets and ladders over the razor wire to circumvent this security measure. Simultaneously, pirates in skiffs shoot at the vessel to facilitate the boarding attempt.
Generally, the pirates must be expected to adjust their techniques according to the resistance they encounter and therefore this apparent development is not surprising. Mariners should consider this when designing their defensive measures, e.g. by using combinations of several different measures such as multiple layer razor wire in combination with water hoses, speed, evasive maneuvers etc. (see photo).
