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Market News

Protecting fishing vessels

D

in the Gulf of Guinea

uring a recent experiment in on both sides of the vessel. The

Dutch waters (Haringvliet) propeller of a hostile vessel within
Westmark equipped a fishing boarding range will become entangled

vessel with a multi-layered strategy to in the lines during their attack. Its
protect the vessel using passive non- engine will stall and the intruder will

lethal equipment against sea criminals. not be able to continue its attack,

One barrier that took the test is the meaning pirates cannot climb aboard.
P-Trap anti-piracy system, the other A sound cannon test also

barrier involved a sound cannon used demonstrated the usefulness of having
in an innovative way. The successful
multiple barriers to prevent unwanted

trial showed that the operation of boarding. The patented penetrating
fishing gear is not affected by the safety sound tones discourage intruders from

spread of trailing lines connected to the coming too close to the vessel. The countries prohibits fishermen from
P-Trap. Prior to this test, the system powerful sound is so irritating and carrying weapons.

served onboard the fishing vessel for an potentially damaging it discourages the The combination of legal
entire week, in which it was put to the attacking vessel in its approach.
techniques, such as the P-Trap and

test during heavy North Sea storms.
Fishing vessels are a soft target for sound cannons, are currently being

The P-Trap system is operated criminals due to their slow speed, lack tested on vessels in the Gulf of Guinea,
alongside the vessel with a safety spread of maneuverability and low freeboard. where maritime criminal activity has
intensified in recent years.
of multiple protective lines in the water
Also, the sovereignty of West African
I