Electric fence for ships steps up fight against pirates

The electric fence could keep this ship safe

London, 23 January 2003 - A high-voltage electric fence for ships is the latest weapon to be endorsed by ICC's International Maritime Bureau (IMB) in the worldwide fight against piracy.

The 9,000-volt fence, designed to protect a ship's deck, is currently being tested by Secure-Ship, a Dutch security company.

Deployment of the fence onto the worldwide shipping market comes just a week before the release of ICC's Annual Piracy Report, which is expected to show a significant increase in pirate attacks on the world's oceans.

Devised to protect both a ship's cargo and its crew, the fence is being hailed by experts as a breakthrough in maritime security.

"Creating an impenetrable barrier of safety around a ship's perimeter is a goal which manufacturers have been pursuing for years," explained International Maritime Bureau (IMB) director, Captain Pottengal Mukundan. "The majority of previous products of this nature proved incapable of offering a ship both safety and utility simultaneously. This fence strikes that perfect balance, allowing ship captains to protect their vessels from pirate attacks without having to arm themselves."

According to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 95 percent of the world's commerce is carried by ship.

The Secure-Ship system comprises a collapsible electric fence mounted around a ship's deck.
Crew members can activate port and/or starboard zones, allowing work to take place on one side of the ship while the fence is charged on the other.

A sophisticated control module detects entry attempts and activates lights, alarms, and sirens to alert crew.

The electric fence delivers a 9,000 volt shock at any point of contact - a painful but not deadly charge. The manufacturers say their system has been designed to operate in all types of weather and is not hindered by salt-water spray.

"All but the most determined pirates will quickly take their activities elsewhere when faced with an electric fence," said Captain Mukundan. "This anti-boarding device will also prevent stowaways, deterring illegal immigration and possibly thwarting would-be terrorists".

The IMB says the introduction of the Secure-Ship system is being well received by the industry.

However, the presence of electrically charged wires means the system cannot be used on oil tankers or other ships carrying heavily flammable materials.

The Secure-Ship electric fence is the latest anti-piracy device to be endorsed by the IMB, the maritime crime fighting arm of ICC, the world business organization. With more than 8,000 member companies in over 140 countries, ICC is the world's largest, most representative business association.

Two other important security measures advocated by the IMB include the satellite-tracking system SHIPLOC and recent international legislation requiring all ships to have their International Maritime Organization (IMO) number visibly embossed on their hulls.

SHIPLOC is a small satellite-tracking device concealed on ships which allows owners to monitor the movement of their vessels.

The embossing of IMO numbers is a requirement of the new International Ship and Port Facility Code (ISPS), implemented within the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention.

IMB expects this new legislation will improve transparency of identity and improve the tracing of hijacked vessels.

For an interview with Captain Mukundan, contact ICC's Commercial Crime Services on tel +44 208 591 3000. Information on the Secure-Ship system can also be obtained from www.secure-marine.com

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