How Do Cruise Ships Prevent or Protect Themselves From Pirate Attacks?
In: Technology
I see some good answers already, but wanted to add this:
Tldr: there are good reasons why the Navy prefers to use helicopters for boarding.
It’s actually very difficult to get from a small boat to a large ship if the ship isn’t cooperating. Honestly, it’s dangerous even when the ship is cooperating. Two Navy Seals were lost at sea just this week trying to board a ship.
The ship can use what speed it has, the wind, and waves to make boarders’ lives difficult.
When a ship is intentionally launching or recovering a boat, they’ll slow to bare steerage way (as slow as the ship can go while the rudder remains useful).
You position the ship between the wind and the small boat. This pushes the ship towards the boat rather than away. (You try getting on a rope ladder that’s floating away from you while you’re bobbing alongside in a tiny boat)
You don’t turn the ship while a boat is alongside.
And you don’t try it if the seas are too rough. Even say 3ft sees (which you absolutely wouldn’t notice from the bridge of a ship that size) feel like *a lot* when you’re in a small boat in open ocean.
If you’re a captain that’s decided to contest a boarding, you can do the opposite of those things. Keep speed on and maneuver. Even the very slow turns of a cargo ship can be significant as a delaying tactic and for using the wake as a weapon.
Also get on the radio and scream for help.
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