Quick Guide to Counter Piracy Boardings

Somali pirates have developed a predictable and successful modus operandi that will no doubt be replicated in waters outside the Indian Ocean. The pirates hijack deep draft commercial ships using gangs of three or more who approach in small open boats powered by outboard engines that are referred to as attack or pirate skiffs. These are often supported by larger vessels, some just bigger versions of the skiffs and others previously seized fishing dhows or even commercial ships, which act as motherships to provide fuel and food for the attackers. When a target is identified visually, by radar, or through other electronic means (AIS), the skiffs break from the mothership. Once alongside the pirates fire into the bridge and accommodation decks in an effort to scare the crew into stopping and though evasive actions are taken by some, most targeted ships have low freeboard and are easily boarded from the surface using fixed ladders or knotted ropes with grapnel hooks. On board the pirates first take control of the bridge then search the ship for hostages which they will soon try to ransom along with the ship and her cargo.

The three vessel classes discussed above – skiffs, motherships, and hijacked commercial vessels – are all potential counter piracy targets. It’s critical for any force assigned pirate interdiction duties to develop plans for boarding these hulls and developing courses of action for the unique tactical environment each presents.

Attack Skiffs

Constructed of fiberglass and open with no available cover, these vessels present the easiest boarding evolutions because in most cases there is no need for target discrimination or clearing spaces for hostiles. Often identified as they flee from a failed hijacking attempt, the skiffs are crewed only by the attackers, leaving little threat of hitting an innocent should gunfire be necessary in self defense. Helicopters have proved the most successful means of locating the skiffs and stopping them using warning flares or shots fired in their path or disabling fire targeting their engines. When stopped, either through submission or force, naval boarding parties approach the skiffs in rigid hull inflatable boats with those on board covering the pirates using their individual weapons or weapons mounted to the boat. Helicopters remaining on scene are a valuable resource that can help gauge the level of compliance the boarding team can expect by monitoring the actions of the pirates while simultaneously providing cover. Within earshot, commands to drop all weapons, raise hands, and muster at the bow of the skiff are delivered by an interpretor or someone with knowledge of the language. Alongside one or two officers embark the skiff as those remaining on the RHIB cover their movements. On board all pirates are searched, restrained, and provided a lifejacket. Should self defense become necessary shots are fired at the hostile suspect or if distance prevents individual targeting, the entire vessel is targeted using an area weapon such as a mounted belt fed machine gun.

Motherships

Designed for longer periods at sea, motherships are often seized fishing dhows over forty feet in length with a closed cabin. Their construction necessitates clearing of spaces once on board as pirates could conceal themselves within compartments, holds, or voids. A boarding team approaching from the surface in a RHIB will normally require the use of fixed or caving ladders to facilitate embarkation. Alongside the ladders are deployed over the vessel’s gunnel and climbers make the ascent under cover from a second RHIB, a helicopter’s door gunner, and/or snipers and designated marksmen positioned on nearby warships. Voice commands ordering the pirates to drop their weapons, raise their hands, and muster are delivered throughout the process. On deck officers will generally divide their team, leaving at least two to guard those pirates who have gathered at the bow or other designated location as the remainder search the vessel. On board such small vessels most spaces will be cleared by one or two men, any more and entrances will become congested leading to flagging by teammates and poor positioning that provides several targets for any hostile concealed within the blind spots. Though hostages may be on board, treat anyone found during the search as a suspect, directing them to show their hands and get into a position that allows application of restraints. Apply force techniques for those who are uncooperative but unarmed. Firearms should be used to respond only to those self defense situations where a suspect is hostile, armed, and threatens a life.

Hijacked Vessels

Though some are yachts and fishing vessels most ships targeted by pirates are oceangoing deep draft commercial vessels with large cargo holds and multi-story accommodation blocks. Due to the number of potential hostages, operations to retake a seized ship are normally only performed when her crew has taken refuge in an on board citadel or safe room. These spaces keep the pirates and innocents separated and avoid casualties for those the boarding teams are trying to rescue. These boardings proceed similar to those for motherships, with the boarding team embarking using ladders from the surface or fast ropes from helicopters. Cover is normally provided by helicopters, though the use of snipers and designated marksmen on any nearby warship is also a possibility. On deck the boarding team will detain or neutralize the pirates as appropriate and
search all spaces to clear them of any threats before directing the crew to exit the citadel. If no citadel is available or the entire crew was unable to seal themselves in, negotiations are considered the best course of action. If harm comes to the hostages or they are subject to legitimate threats, a hostage rescue may become necessary. Target discrimination becomes very important in these cases as pirates and their hostages will be in close proximity to one another and failure to make appropriate determinations about a target could cause the unintended shooting of a hostage. In the case of a hostage rescue, surprise is paramount so be creative in developing plans to board and search. Don’t discount the value of overwhelming force.

Summary

On initial report of an attempted hijacking or sighting of a pirate action group launch embarked helicopter to locate and track the pirates. When found launch rigid hull inflatables (RHIB) with boarding party.
If underway, signal the vessel to stop using warning flares or ordnance fired forward of its bow.
Force the vessel to stop using disabling fire directed at its engines. Careful not cause a fire or explosion (ie. don’t aim for fuel tanks).
Cover provided by individual or mounted weapons on involved boats and aircraft for duration of boarding.
Conduct a visual search of the suspect vessel from a standoff distance by driving a half circle around it. Avoid crossing the bow to prevent any attempt at ramming by vessels with operational engines.
Direct pirates to throw down their weapons, raise their hands or place them on their heads, and muster near the bow away from the vessel’s controls.
Boarding team embarks vessel under cover and with weapons drawn searches and restrains the pirates. If a high freeboard vessel this may require the use of specialty ladders or fast roping from helicopters.
On smaller vessels it may be necessary to first take suspects on board the RHIB in order to detain them. This avoids placing boarding party members in a situation where they are vastly outnumbered or contribute to an unstable vessel. In these situations raft alongside and direct the detainee to sit on the gunnel where he can be handcuffed, then have him turn and swing his legs into the RHIB to embark.
On larger compartmentalized vessels, divide the boarding team to allow one group to maintain security of any detainees and another to search the spaces on board.
Search spaces using one or two men to limit dangers of congestion. For some larger areas such as the bridge, engine room, and mess deck a larger force may be appropriate.
Fit all detainees with lifejackets. Limits liability if they decide to jump overboard.
Find a nation that will prosecute and transfer the detainees to their forces. Otherwise disarm and release. If you’re Russian, put them back in their boat after draining it of fuel and removing all food and means of signalling.

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