How do yachts protect against pirates?

Summary of the article:

How do yachts stay safe from pirates? Carrying guns on board can prevent pirate attacks. One way to protect your yacht in unsafe waters is to be visibly armed – which can make all the difference in keeping your yacht safe, even if a shot is never fired. Your yacht is an easy target for pirates. Compared to commercial ships, they have a low surface height and high production costs. Superyachts with huge bathing platforms designed for easy access to water for owner’s guests provide equally easy access on board and to uninvited guests. “They lock themselves in, summon help and head for shore.” Armoring a yacht can cost from $400,000 to $600,000, depending on the yacht’s size and details. Protected areas include the roof, the door and upgraded glass rated to bulletproof VPAM Level 6, able to withstand repeated rounds from an AK-47. The easiest defense measures available are barbed wire fences, fire hoses and water cannons that are targeted at pirates to prevent them from climbing on board. Merchant ships now plying in high piracy affected areas such as Gulf of Aden (GOA) carry Armed Guards along with a series of non-lethal weaponry to thwart any kind of piracy attempt. Mentioned herein is a list of non-lethal anti-piracy weapons that are used or can be used to fight piracy at high seas. From Hong Kong to Seattle and Melbourne to Tokyo, most superyachts can sail the seas with relative ease. This is attributed to the strength of the engines and the capability of the vessel to handle potentially rough sea conditions. The International Marine Organisation responded to the increased use of armed private security on yachts by issuing circulars providing guidance to masters and owners on the hiring, use of such security forces, and the preparations and contingencies that must be made. While it still exists today, there are laws and regulations in place to protect vessels from pirate attacks. Therefore, shooting pirates in international waters is generally not necessary or recommended. Before the ongoing pandemic, pirate attacks were a huge concern for passengers aboard a cruise ship. The pirate attacks have fallen, and the pirate fairy tales have faded over the years, but it remains a threat to passengers in the modern day. There is no particular law in place that cruise lines must follow to ensure the safety of their passengers from pirate attacks. However, International Maritime Organization suggests some tactics to evade pirate attacks and ransom paid for terrorist attacks. The “pirate drill” safety procedures include no one being allowed on the outer decks and passengers having to sit in the corridors, away from windows to reduce the risk of being shot, all the outdoor parties being moved inside, having extra milit

Questions:

1. How do yachts stay safe from pirates?
   Carrying guns on board can prevent pirate attacks. One way to protect your yacht in unsafe waters is to be visibly armed – which can make all the difference in keeping your yacht safe, even if a shot is never fired. It’s more important that a gun serves as a visual deterrence.
2. Do private yachts get attacked by pirates?
   Your yacht is an easy target for pirates. Compared to commercial ships, they have a low surface height and high production costs. Superyachts with huge bathing platforms designed for easy access to water for owner’s guests provide equally easy access on board and to uninvited guests.
3. How do super yachts protect themselves?
   “They lock themselves in, summon help and head for shore.” Armoring a yacht can cost from $400,000 to $600,000, depending on the yacht’s size and details. Protected areas include the roof, the door and upgraded glass rated to bulletproof VPAM Level 6, able to withstand repeated rounds from an AK-47.
4. What is the best defense against the pirates?
   The easiest defense measures available are barbed wire fences, fire hoses and water cannons that are targeted at pirates to prevent them from climbing on board.
5. Can ships carry guns to fight pirates?
   Merchant ships now plying in high piracy affected areas such as Gulf of Aden (GOA) carry Armed Guards along with a series of non-lethal weaponry to thwart any kind of piracy attempt. Mentioned herein is a list of non-lethal anti-piracy weapons that are used or can be used to fight piracy at high seas.
6. Can yachts handle rough seas?
   From Hong Kong to Seattle and Melbourne to Tokyo, most superyachts can sail the seas with relative ease. This is attributed to the strength of the engines and the capability of the vessel to handle potentially rough sea conditions.
7. Do yachts have armed security?
   The International Marine Organisation responded to the increased use of armed private security on yachts by issuing circulars providing guidance to masters and owners on the hiring, use of such security forces, and the preparations and contingencies that must be made.
8. Can you shoot pirates in international waters?
   While it still exists today, there are laws and regulations in place to protect vessels from pirate attacks. Therefore, shooting pirates in international waters is generally not necessary or recommended.
9. Do ships still get attacked by pirates?
   Before the ongoing pandemic, pirate attacks were a huge concern for passengers aboard a cruise ship. The pirate attacks have fallen, and the pirate fairy tales have faded over the years, but it remains a threat to passengers in the modern day.
10. Do cruise ships have security against pirates?
    There is no particular law in place that cruise lines must follow to ensure the safety of their passengers from pirate attacks. However, International Maritime Organization suggests some tactics to evade pirate attacks and ransom paid for terrorist attacks.
11. Do cruise ships have pirate defense?
    The “pirate drill” safety procedures include no one being allowed on the outer decks and passengers having to sit in the corridors, away from windows to reduce the risk of being shot, all the outdoor parties being moved inside, having extra military personnel on board and extra lookouts.