Defence against Somali Pirates.

[Jim Brady]

A small Scots company Photonic Security Systems based in Dunoon have come up with what they call LDS100 which they claim to be a great deterent against piracy.Basically it's a laser beam with a range of half a mile with a spread of 30 foot.It's a very intense laser the idea being it "Blinds" the pirates on the approaching boat so they are unable to see their target and therefore could not follow their target thus not enableing them to board.The price £25.000 per unit,this must be considered tobe cheap when you think of the cost of the ship and it's cargo and of course the securityof the crew.At present it is believed that pirates are holding 50 vessels along with about 800 hostages.
I hope a lot of interest is taken in this and many ship operators take this system on board,if it is successful and is a good deterent against piracy maybe we will see and end to this terrible "Trade".
Regards.
Jim.B.

[robpage]

Just a Thought , considering how much spare cash the Somali's have , When working with lazer code branding there wasa set of anti lazer glasses that you could buy , expensive , but they shielded the eyes .

[Jim Brady]

Hi Rob,I have been in touch with the company that make the device and put forward your suggestion,this is their reply.
Laser glasses are quite specific.We have amalgamated a number of laser bands/colours into one laser this would mean it would take a number of specific glasses to filter our beam.
Regards.
Jim.B.

[Graham Payne]

I was on a P&O Cruise last year which included " Istanbul " whilst we were there on the aft seaward side they had this black plate on hinges approx 18 inches square which was manned by a security guard, I asked what it was, he replied, a "Sonic Cannon". Evidently it emits a sound no one can stand and any intruder has to cover their ears therfore rendering them imobile and unable to attack. I looked at the label/name tag on this thing and it was made in the USA. If it actually worked I dont know as it was not used.

[Jim Brady]

Graham,some shopkeepers where gangs of kids hang around have something similarfitted out side their shops,the high pitched noise for some reason only affects people under 21 years of age.Adults are not affected but this kids cant stand it and move on.
Regards.
Jim.B.

[happy daze john in oz]

Graham,some shopkeepers where gangs of kids hang around have something similarfitted out side their shops,the high pitched noise for some reason only affects people under 21 years of age.Adults are not affected but this kids cant stand it and move on.
Regards.
Jim.B.

Have heard of something similar, apparently the ears of younger peopel are far more sensitive to noise. As we age our hearing deteriorates so high pitched noise cannot always be heard. The system is based on the one used to control dogs in specialised occupations, they can hear noises beyond the human spectrum.

[robpage]

Fire Hoses worked of the Nigerian coast thirty years ago , open boats were easy to fill up with a bit of salt water pressure on the ,

[peter jacobs]

A small Scots company Photonic Security Systems based in Dunoon have come up with what they call LDS100 which they claim to be a great deterent against piracy.Basically it's a laser beam with a range of half a mile with a spread of 30 foot.It's a very intense laser the idea being it "Blinds" the pirates on the approaching boat so they are unable to see their target and therefore could not follow their target thus not enableing them to board.The price £25.000 per unit,this must be considered tobe cheap when you think of the cost of the ship and it's cargo and of course the securityof the crew.At present it is believed that pirates are holding 50 vessels along with about 800 hostages.
I hope a lot of interest is taken in this and many ship operators take this system on board,if it is successful and is a good deterent against piracy maybe we will see and end to this terrible "Trade".
Regards.
Jim.B.

Hi Jim,

Interesting comments about the LDS100 lazer beam, i am sure the industry welcomes any type of inovation to combat piracy, however Somali pirates should not be underestimated in thier ability to adapt, i am sure the somali pirates will research any device used against them.

The LRAD was a ant-piracy sonic device that was easily overcome by earplugs, if you recall a certain security companie`s guards had to abandon ship as the LRAD operator drew fire and had to abandon the LRAD device for cover, making the device ineffective and the vessel was boarded by pirates.

my concern with LDS100 lazer beam is that the device will draw significant fire from the pirates as the source of the beam will be easily observed. will this device be remotely controlled? i would not like to be the person standing behind It without a flak jacket.

from my experience, pirates attack with multiple high speed vessels, so it will be difficult to direct a beam at multiple high speed targets fireing heavy calibre weapons and rocket prepelled grenades.

the most effective deterent in my opinion is properly trained armed guards that return fire, to date no vessel with armed guards has been sucessfully pirated.

as one would say, you cant take a bow and arrow to a gun fight.

regards

Peter Jacobs, South Africa

[Jim Brady]

Hi Peter,firstly I imagine that the ship would carry more than one LDS100 and if it is capable of doing what it claims it does there is no way in which the pirates could look towards the ship,plus if you could pick them up at half a mile away with a 30foot spread they would never hit their target.You see clowns in this country aiming a small laser beam at aeroplane and helicopter pilots which "Blinds" them and puts the aicraft in great danger.
I know a lad (Ex Royal Marine)he is presently working on security sailing the ships through the hot spots of the piracy areas.He is on Super Tankers, he said they are quite high out of the water and quite hard to board,pirates have come near but the security guys just let them see their Kalashnikov's and the pirates soon move away.
Many ships are now using razor wire at vunerable boardig spots.They put razor wire around the after end and where a crane jib is touching the bridge razor wire is put in place.Razor wire is also kept at the top of companion ways, should it look imminent that the pirates should board the wire is uncoiled down the companionway.This is togive the crew time to retreat to a citadel where they have provisions and can hold out.I dont know what the drill is but I imagine the engines are closed down and an S.O.S.is sent out.
Regards.
Jim.B.

[Louis the Amigo]

Hi shipmates, The only way to stop any pirates' is with a full broadside and good stout crew of english seamen with cutlass ready, or belaying pins at close range, and maybe a few muskets would help they would not come back for more!!!