Anti-Piracy TTPs (Tactics, Technology & Politics)

By Marianne Molchan, President of Molchan Marine Sciences & Commander Joseph Tenaglia, CEO of Tactical Defense Concepts

Antipiracy

A team from the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) tows the lifeboat from the Maersk Alabama to Boxer to be processed for evidence after the successful rescue of Capt. Robert Phillips. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jon Rasmussen

Who wasn’t watching the events unfold with Maersk Alabama recently? For maritime security consultants, CDR Joe Tenaglia, USN (Ret.) and CDR Marianne Molchan (USNR) Ret, this was much more than a news story. In fact, as Maersk Alabama’s story unfolded, Marianne’s father was on the Tahitian Princess in the Gulf of Aden practicing piracy drills and the ship was being escorted through the area by the Combined Task Force (CTF 151).

While his ship was being escorted, another group of pirates (separate from the Maersk Alabama) boarded a German cargo vessel in the area, but left the ship when they discovered it had relief supplies headed for Somalia.

Every detail from the moment the pirates were spotted by the Maersk Alabama’s crew until the pirates were taken out by the SEAL team provided a window into the complicated challenge of "self protection" while sailing the waters off East Africa.

For Joe, the tales of Somalia piracy are not new. In August 2001 one of his friends served as a second engineer on a research vessel off the coast of Somalia. His vessel was attacked by pirates. The unfortunate part of the tale is while underway for Somalia, the union provided a security consultant to help prepare the vessel for known threats. The second engineer was performing the duties of vessel security officer. The Master decided the security preparations were not necessary and bilged the consultant, the second engineer, and the makeshift weapons (bats, Molotov cocktails, plans, etc.) they had fabricated. As fate would have it, days later the vessel faced pirates firing AK47’ s and rocket propelled grenades. Since the vessel was unprepared, the scene was one of confusion and panic. While being raked by gunfire and experiencing near miss explosions by the RPG’s, the actions of the second engineer and a few crewmen saved both the ship and the lives of the crew. They dropped the survey gear and pushed the vessel to maximum speed while sheltering the passengers. On several occasions the pirates attempted to board but were thwarted by healing the ship. The aftermath produced a great deal of dissension and friction amongst the crew and embarked scientists, as each took sides concerning the lack of preparation and the response of some of the crew.

The event provided the impetus and motivation for the formation of Tenaglia’s company, Tactical Defense Concepts, simultaneous to the implementation of the ISPS and MTSA requirements for vessel security.

Keeping Track

More than 30,000 vessels transit the Gulf of Aden annually. Between January and May 2009, the International Maritime Bureau Piracy Reporting Center reported nearly 100 attempted attacks on merchant vessels, 27 of which were successful. Even more surprising is the fact that the number of piracy events in the Gulf of Aden for 2009 has surpassed all piracy events in that region in 2008.

Somalia has been without a functioning national government for 14 years, when the country received its independence from Italy. During the 1990s, a group of Saudi-educated, Wahhabi militants arrived in Somalia with the aim of creating an Islamic state in this African country. Also, Al-Qaeda reportedly established an operations base and training camp. The transitional parliament created in 2004, has failed to end the devastating anarchy. The impoverished people who live in the ruined capital of Mogadishu have witnessed Al-Qaeda operatives, Jihadi extremists, Ethiopian security services and Western-backed counter-terrorism agents engaged in a continued war. Since 2003, Somalia has witnessed the growth of a network of Jihad with strong ties to Al-Qaeda. In fact, when the U.S. forces faced a bloody battle in 1995 during what became known as the Black Hawk Down incident, Al-Qaeda joined with a local warlord Aidid who killed and wounded U.S. soldiers and sailors. The insurgents were being supplied by sea with Russian weapons and ammunition, brought in by freighters and transferred over the beach by the same small craft we see today.

As reported as recently as Sunday, May 24, the government is locked in a battle with the Al Qaeda backed Somalia’s Al Shabaab faction in Somakia and is losing more ground. Tactical Defense Concepts has a team of maritime security experts that contribute to an online maritime security information entitled "TDC Security Alerts." In April of 2009, the Tactical Defense Concept’s Security Alert Number 20090429 analyzed the confusing situation in Somalia as follows:

Terrorist-Pirate Links Expected to Increase "According to our information, the money they make from piracy and ransoms goes to support al-Shabaab activities onshore." --Andrew Mwangura, head of the East African Seafarers’ Assistance Program, as quoted in Reuters, August 24, 2008, "Piracy Ransoms Funding Somalia Insurgency."

Given recent media attention on the issue of piracy, it is prudent toaddress the plausible links between East African pirates and radical terrorists. A relationship that difficult to define is only likely to increase. While such ties are not binding and clashes between the two sides will occur, each can provide the other with financing, maritime assets, personnel, and skills.

Earlier this month, a spokesperson for Al-Shabaab, the Al- Qaeda-affiliated terrorist group that currently controls southern Somalia, Muktar Robow "Abu Mansur," praised the ship hijackings carried out by pirates, saying they are "protecting the coast against the enemies of Allah." The actions were also praised by Sheikh Hassan Abdullahi "Turki," a leader of another group called the Ras Kamboni Brigades, as reported by Garowe Online. Turki described the pirates as "part of the Mujahideen [religious fighters], because they are in a war with Christian countries who want to misuse the Somali coast," although he criticized them as "money-seekers."

CBS News reported on April 16 that a senior Al-Qaeda operative, Sa’id Ali Jabir Al Khathim Al Shihri, has released an audiotape, telling his "steadfast brethren" in Somalia to "increase your strikes against the crusaders at sea and in Djibouti."

Based on these statements, TDC expects Al-Qaeda affiliated groups to place an increased focus on maritime terrorism.

The relationship between terrorists and pirates, although not believed to be formal or collaborative, is not a new development. Al Qaeda has held a long term objective of disrupting international trade as a method of achieving their goal of weakening the West. Piracy offers that goal, while producing a lucrative source of funds.

Ambassador David H. Shinn, speaking at the Somali Piracy Conference on April 7, provided additional information on the links between al-Shabab and the pirates. A portion of his remarks are below: “Somalis are exceptionally entrepreneurial. Piracy is a way to make money. There is no evidence that piracy is directly linked to international terrorism, although many Somali groups get a cut of the ransom money.

Jane’s has identified a close link between the pirates and the extremist al-Shabab group,which says it has links to al-Qaeda. The pirates in Kismayu coordinate with the al- Shabab militia in the area, although al-Shabab apparently does not play an active role in the pirate attacks. Al- Shabab requires some pirates to pay a protection fee of 5 to 10 percent of the ransom money. If al-Shabab helps to train the pirates, it might receive 20 percent and up to 50 percent if it finances the piracy operation. There is increasing evidence that the pirates are assisting al-Shabab with arms smuggling from Yemen and two central Asian countries. They are also reportedly helping al-Shabab develop an independent maritime force so that it can smuggle foreign jihadist fighters and "special weapons" into Somalia.

TDC has concluded that the relationship between pirates, terrorists, and other non-state actors will only increase absent a political resolution ashore and a more effective strategy for the protection of shipping such as armed vessels. Such a relationship is beneficial to both sides financially and operationally. Although Somalia is unique in that it is a lawless state astride vital shipping lanes if such attacks are viewed as successful, one can only expect other groups to adopt these tactics around the world. One need only read the ominous excerpts of an Islamic website posted in April 08 TDC alert to realize a possible TDC believes many of the statements contained in media interviews of purported Somalia pirates are a well rehearsed rehash of propaganda designed to appeal to audiences and cast Somalia pirates as victims of Western exploitation. (See TDC Alert "Somalia is a trap").

Snapshot of IMB website

Snapshot of IMB website showing Actual Piracy Attacks, Attempted Attacks, and Suspicious Vessel sightings taken 12 May 2009. (Source: www.icc-ccs.org)

American press attention, Somalibased terrorists armed with rocket-propelled grenades launched an unsuccessful attack on Seaborn Spirit as it rounded the Horn of Africa with American, British and Australian tourists on board. For unexplained reasons, the attack is being treated as an isolated incident and the terrorism link is being all but ignored by journalists. The term "pirates" is routinely used, with only a few reporters calling the attackers "terrorists."

The ship came under attack during the early morning hours when the heavily armed terrorists in two speedboats began firing upon the ship with grenade launchers and machine guns. They assailents were repelled by the ship’s crew, who implemented their security measures including setting off electronic simulators which created the illusion the ship was firing back at the terrorists.

According to passenger accounts of the attack, there were at least three rocket-propelled grenades or RPGs that hit the ship. One hit a passenger stateroom without inflicting injuries.

There are now U.S., EU and assorted coalition and combined naval forces to try to prevent attacks and apprehend these modern-day "pirates" in Somali waters. All travel advisories issued by nations throughout the world recognize this area as being among the most dangerous in the world.

There are some who oppose this combative approach fearing the opening of a new front in the war on terrorism. But these opponents of using force have no suggestions for dealing with these dangerous situation. The arguments rage about whether or not armed security will solve the problem. The truth is no armed vessel has ever been taken, and while the naval forces are doing a magnificent job patrolling the vast expanse of ocean, naval authorities make it known there are not enough naval assets to guarantee safe passage for all vessels.

Pirates TTPs

There are two sides to the technology and tactics coin. Pirates are no strangers to technology and tactics. Thanks to the availability of AIS, the pirates are able to plan their daily missions and pick and choose which ships to target based on information about the geographic position, the cargo, the flag and the size of a ship. Recently released NATO report indicates the pirates may be guided by informers in the London maritime industry. (See TDC Alert "Somalia Pirates Guided by Informers" dated May 18, 2009, TDC Alert "Bogus Request for Vessel Security Teams" dated May 12, 2009, and "TDC Alert Somalia Pirates Possibly have man portable anti-aircraft missles" dated May 23, 2009.)

A colleague whose son is a merchant seaman frequently sailing off Somalia, Southern Africa and Kenya made some observations to his father in an email in May 2009. He said that the dock workers and "Hey Joes" on the pier selling everything from food to cell phones (to ship’s crew) often know more about the ships before they arrive. Details like ship’s schedule, number of crew, etc. are revealed in conversations with the merchants before the crew even leave the dock. It is believed that dockside observers take stock in what kind of ship protection measures the vessel employs. They look for visible Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD) on the deck, and note if the ship has an embarked security team, what the cargo is, and what electronic means of surveillance the ship has.

The Technology

Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD)

Ship’s Serviceman 1st Class Scott D. Amberger aims a Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD) at an incoming small craft off the starboard bridge wing of amphibious command ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) during a small boat attack drill. (U.S. Navy)

Commercial Ships use technology and tactics inherent on the ship to aid in piracy prevention. Unobstructed 360 degree radar and AIS can be useful to distinguish friend from foe in the surrounding waters. Some ships have installed Electro-Optical Infra Red cameras at strategic locations on the ship.

Long Range Acoustic Device, or (LRAD) can be found aboard multiple ships plying the waters off Somalia. LRAD projects an extremely loud highly directional noise over a long distance that can potentially drive away pirates. The goal is to keep the pirates from boarding the ship.

A perimeter protection device that has been advertised for several years is Secure-Ship, a type of electrified fence running along the edges of ship decks providing a nonlethal shock to stowaways or pirates alike. The system also may include an alarm system, industrial flood lights and an intruder detection system.

Additional non-lethal devices aimed at keeping pirates away include:

In an effort to help protect mariners worldwide, TDC employs Vessel Security Teams with the latest warning and hailing technology. The teams integrate their capabilities with a vessel’s inherent advantages, speed, maneuverability, good watchstanding and a good plan with a trained crew. This technology is certainly capable of repelling an uninspired or illequipped pirate attack. In fact, many boardings are repelled by vessels using age old, tried and true tactics. However, as we saw with the Maersk Alabama, even a well trained crew in a large vessel is vulnerable to boarding in a determined attack. Makeshift defenses consisting of firehoses, Molotov cocktails and lawn chairs in the instance of a cruise liner will not deter automatic rifles and grenades.

No one will argue that the best solution lies ashore through diplomatic means. However, if recent history tell us anything there are limits to diplomacy. If the pirate attacks continue unabated and diplomatic efforts fail, then limited military actions may be the only option to disrupt the pirate bases and get the situation under control. In the meantime, in our opinion, all things considered ( lives lost, ransom money feeding the monster, lost ship days, insurance, liability and the emotional scars inflicted on innocent mariners, passengers and crews) a layered defense of non-lethal technology (backed by credible force) is the only answer.

The Bottom Line

Politics and economics are the deeply seated root causes of the piracy problem. While ship owner/operators may not be able to significantly affect the cause of the threat, they must take actions to deal with the threat. Technology providers need to be aware of the piracy TTPs, discussed previously, in order to understand how their technology can compliment shipboard tactics effective against piracy. Together, vessel owner / operators and technology providers must work in concert to combine technology with the ship’s own physical defenses and tactics to thwart and defeat piracy.

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