French Test Non-Lethal Anti-Piracy Defenses

The French Environment and Energy Management Agency plans to launch a pilot program to test non-lethal weapons as an alternative to armed guards aboard vessels in pirate-infested waters. The agency announced the US$16 million project at Marisk, a shipping security forum held in Nantes.

The defense system will be installed on the Partison, a French military training vessel. Radar systems and infrared cameras will be used as an early warning system. To defend against oncoming pirates, the vessel will employ blinding lights and long range acoustic devices to blast foes with pain-inducing sounds.

"The aim of this equipment is to make the boats difficult to board, to make them very hostile, unwelcoming for the pirates," said Eric Prang of Sagem, a French firm involved in the project, told reporters.

If pirates continue an attack, remote-controlled water cannons would then be used as the crew secures themselves in a safe room. From there the crew can use cameras to monitor the pirates and continue to sail their ship. Finally, crews will be able to release tear gas canisters and douse the vessel’s lights if pirates board the ship.

The defenses will be tested this year and are scheduled to be available for vessels beginning in 2014.

Photo shows high-power water cannon from Piratesafe.com