While awaiting a comprehensive solution to the problem of piracy off the Horn of Africa, governments and shipping companies have resorted to interim measures. A limited number of naval vessels have patrolled transit corridors through the affected waters, and merchant ships have applied self-defence techniques. Many countries, shippers, and insurance companies continue to resist 'active defences', such as armed security teams. On the other hand, passive defences' have proven surprisingly effective in many instances. Notable among these is the 'citadel', a locked safe room in which a crew can secure itself from a pirate boarding party, denying the pirates the advantage of holding hostages. Knowledge that a crew is out of harm's way in a citadel permits naval forces to board and retake hijacked vessels without fear of collateral casualties. Several successful and unsuccessful cases are examined. Potential shortcomings are briefly discussed.
展开▼
