Travel with Indigo

As we leave the civilized waters of Australia making for the wilds of Indonesia, thoughts turn easily and naturally to piracy. Brigands of the sea have long worked the waters of the Banda, Flores and especially the Java Sea, though their techniques rise only to the level of the smash and grab and their armaments to the machete. These are not generally the equivalent of those bad guys in Somalia. Still, the captain and I are concerned that with all the publicized success of the Africans the Indonesians will become copycats, somehow acquiring automatic weapons, small fast boats, and GPS and radar thus becoming a far more serious menace. As a consequence of our concerns, Captain Watson devised and issued to the crew a comprehensive and thoughtful anti-piracy plan, which follows verbatim.

M.Y INDIGO Security Standing Orders for passages and at anchor in piracy areas

These orders constitute the security plan for MY Indigo. They are intended to supplement the general standing orders.

1.    All crew are to read and familiarize themselves with the guidelines set out in IMO “Piracy and armed robbery against ships” circular 623 29 may 2002. This is attached as annex 1 to these orders.
2.    The Captain and watch keepers should bear in mind the possibility that attackers are monitoring ship-to-shore communications and using intercepted information to select their targets. Caution should, therefore, be exercised when transmitting information on vhf etc regarding programme, location or valuables on board in areas where attacks occur.
3.    In areas where attacks occur it is important to limit, record and control those who are allowed access to a ship when in port or at anchor. Photographing those who board the ship can be a useful deterrent or assist the identification of attackers who may have had access to the ship prior to their attack.
4.     Prior to leaving port the ship should be thoroughly searched and all doors or access points secured or controlled. This is particularly important in the case of the bridge, engine room, Lazarette and other vulnerable areas. Doors and access points should be regularly checked thereafter. The means of controlling doors or access points which would need to be used in the event of an onboard emergency will need careful consideration. Ship or crew safety should not be compromised.
5.    Members of the crew going ashore in ports in affected areas should be advised not to discuss the voyage particulars with persons unconnected with the ship’s business. If asked you should say that we are heading back to Darwin after Bali.
6.    Whilst underway a continuous upper-deck patrol is to be maintained.  The patrolman is to ensure that he has good communications with the bridge at all times. He is to carry a flashlight and air horn, and to be seen to be present particularly if any other craft are within 1 mile. The watch keeper is to advise the patrolman of any approaching craft.
7.    The spike boards are to be positioned at the aft steps to deter entry.
8.    Indigo is to be illuminated to a high level consistent with being able to maintain good visibility from the bridge.  In certain areas Indigo may run “blacked out” to avoid detection. This will be at the Captains discretion and will be subject to a variety of factors including density of other traffic.
9.    The bridge watch keeper is to make full use of the Radar, CCTV and night vision aid system to monitor the immediate vicinity.
10.    All doors into the accommodation are to be kept locked at anchor and underway.  The patrolman will carry a key to access the accommodation.
11.    Indigo is not to be left un-attended at any time.
12.    In the event of suspicious activity by another vessel or persons, the Captain is to be informed immediately. The Captain alone has the authority to transmit a “safety” or “mayday” message.
13.    If it becomes apparent that an impromptu attack might take place; the ships alarm is to be activated and supplemented by sounding 7 short blasts and one long blast on the ships whistle. The watch keeper may use this signal without the Captains authority if the Captain cannot be contacted.  When this signal has been sounded all crew are to muster in the office.
14.    Rapid evasive manoeuvres will be conducted to try and discourage approaching boats. This may take the form of a continuous rapid turn enabling the helm to be left un-attended for safety reasons. The Captain will send the appropriate distress signal.
15.    The following cabins are then to be locked to prevent access into the boat via the escape hatches – Stbd Crew, port and stbd guests. The forward watertight door should then be closed and secured. The keys for these are on the upper right hand hook in the stew alleyway cupboard.
16.    The above cabins are to be locked up at anchor whenever they are not occupied.
17.    Whilst underway Indigo will operate a 3 stage anti attack plan as follows –
a.    3 Miles – when the watch keeper observes a vessel within 3 Miles that maintains an intercept course despite his own course alterations to maintain a 1 Mile separation

Call Captain
Call the vessel on Ch16 and ask intentions
Commence full lockdown of vessel

b.    1 Mile – When the suspicious vessel is at 1 Mile range –

Muster all personnel
Commence fishtailing course changes or continuous turn.
Arm sentries
Make Pan Pan call
Illuminate other vessel with floodlights
Prepare flares

c.    ¼ Mile – When the suspicious vessel is at ¼ Mile range –

Fire warning flare at vessel
Charge fire hoses
Make Mayday call / HF automated distress / Epirb
Prepare to repel boarders
Sound Ships whistle and general alarm

In case of an assault at anchor.
I – do not hesitate to sound the ship’s general alarm in case of a threat of assault;
II – try to keep adequate lighting to permanently dazzle the opponents, in case of an attempt by strangers to climb the ship’s side; The large bridge searchlights should be kept charged ready for this purpose.
III – raise the alarm, by VHF – channel 16, to the ships in the area and to the permanent watch system of the authorities ashore. The efficiency of assistance by the security forces depends on an early alarm;
IV – sound the alarm with intermittent blasts on the siren and use visual alarms with floodlights and signalling rockets;
V – if appropriate, to protect the lives of those onboard, use measures to repel the boarding by employing powerful floodlights for dazzling the aggressors or using jets of water or signalling rockets against the areas of boarding; and
VI – do not attempt any heroic acts.

18.     If attackers manage to board Indigo, try and remain calm and locked inside. If they are armed and penetrate the accommodation, be submissive and polite and heed their instructions. Hopefully they will just be after cash and high value articles which they can take.  Remember that whilst we have the right to protect ourselves and our property; none of it is worth losing your life in an act of un-necessary heroics.