‘Anti-Piracy Curtain’: Super Soak Pirates to Prevent Them From Boarding Your Ship
- Posted on April 28, 2012 at 7:35am by
Liz Klimas
- Print »
- Email »
When you picture fighting off pirates in the open sea, you most likely get a Pirates of the Caribbean vision of cannons and sword play, but as Popular Science points out, commercial ships do not carry weapons leaving themselves with little defense. Two Japanese companies have devised a system they’re calling the Anti-Piracy Curtain, which makes use of the most abundant resource commercial ships have while at sea: water.
(Image: Screenshot from the Monohakobi Technology Institute, NYK Trading and Yokio Manufacturing via DigInfo TV)
Essentially, the anti-piracy curtain super soaks the pirates with fire hoses, preventing them from getting on the ship and also filling their boats with water. It s main purpose though is to deter pirates in the first place by being seen from far away. DigInfo TV has more on the system by Monohakobi Technology Institute and Yokio:
The system consists of two elements, the first sprays water from high-volume nozzles, which hinder the pirates from boarding the ship, as well as filling up the pirate’s vessels with water, and the second are hoses which whip around violently, with the purpose of intimidating pirates from a distance.
[...]
The high-volume nozzle was developed to work effectively with the fire pumps on small boats, which are especially vulnerable to piracy. It sprays enough water to prevent a ladder being raised, maintaining a rate of two tons of per hour at a pressure of 0.2MPa. Also, the hose deters pirates from climbing aboard, through its irregular motion and impact force of around 700 N.
Demonstrating how the hose works and whips around violently at a trade show. (Photo: DigInfo TV)
Check out the report on this use of the equipment:
The system can fill the pirate boat with as much as one centimeter of water per minute. Currently, the companies have shown the system to work continuously for two weeks. They are making improvements and testing the equipment before releasing a commercial setup.
Popular Stories
MSNBC Host Snaps in Heated Segment: ‘What in the World Is Riskier Than Being a Poor Person in America?’ 683 Comments
Does Misstated Marathon Claim Prove Paul Ryan Is Dishonest? (POLL) 647 Comments
‘Jumah at the DNC’ Speaker: ‘Muslims Visited America Prior to Columbus’ & ‘It Was a Muslim’ Who Guided Him to the ‘New World’ 523 Comments
Obama: RNC Like Watching ‘Black-and-White TV’ Because Romney ‘Did Not Offer a Single New Idea’ 361 Comments
Roseanne Barr: Most Billionaires ‘Violent Pedophiles’ & ‘Heartless’ Cocaine Addicts 314 Comments
Faith
This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 171 Comments- Pakistani Muslim Cleric Accused of Framing Disabled Christian Girl in Koran-Burning Case Read More
- ‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 210 Comments
Meet the Controversial German Imam Accused of Brutally Beating His Wife & Pushing Sharia Law Read More
‘Self-Proclaimed Messiah’ & Unification Church Leader the Rev. Sun Myung Moon Has Died — Here’s His Life Story Read More
Business
- Germany’s Upcoming Court Ruling Will be Huge for the EU Read More
Ford Looks to Beat Toyota for Best-Selling Car in 2012 With This Model 146 Comments
Bernanke & QE3: Here’s What You Need to Know Read More- ‘Extortion’: Why Did the Labor Department ‘Drop the Hammer’ on Oregon Farmers? 300 Comments
Scathing New Ad Capitalizes on Rep. Ryan‘s ’Fading Obama Posters’ Remark 124 Comments
Technology
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 171 Comments
‘TaserDrone’: Hackers Weaponize Quadcopter With Actual ‘Shocking’ Technology Read More
Ever Heard of the Wild ‘Burning Man’ Festival in the Middle of the Nev. Desert? Here’s Your Primer Read More
Stanford Develops Technology ‘Better Than Steroids’ for Athlete Recovery Read More
Have You Pretended to Know What ‘the Cloud’ Is? You’re Not Alone Read More
Submitting your tip... please wait!
Comments (104)
G-WHIZ
Posted on April 28, 2012 at 10:52amThe curtain of water is [sea-water]…full of salt…great for aiding “thirst”…they will swallow many gulps and have an unquenchable thirst…along with being drowned-out. If they live ,they’ll be very weak from thirst…and all we did was spray a little water. (rettorical question:) Why didn’t the ship-owners think of this sooner? Why not fill their boats with sea-water as they come along-side? It’s hard to dissable a steel-nosed water-cannon with bullits…can you say…”remote-control”?
Report Post »TyrannyNoMore
Posted on April 28, 2012 at 12:36pmPig blood would be better in my humble opinion.
Report Post »Enough is Enough__Oath_Keeper
Posted on April 28, 2012 at 1:51pmI do not see the difficulty here.
Report Post »RPG into the boat or over the Bow, and radio the captain and tell them to turn the water off. What some of your are missing is that these people have nothing to lose. They do everything in the name of allah. They do not care if they face a water hose. Now Lead bullets on the other hand or a few AT4′s to blow their boats & them out of water would be a whole lot more effective.
lukerw
Posted on April 28, 2012 at 2:11pmNever saw a Shower Curtain… that would stop a Pirate… from Raiding the Ship!
Report Post »Walkabout
Posted on April 28, 2012 at 2:13pmEnough is Enough__Oath_Keeper
Your are right. I some cases you will have some very wet, but very mad pirates. I am sure that will go well for the crew.
Report Post »cuinsong
Posted on April 28, 2012 at 2:27pmHow about dumping some hot oil on them or maybe a little gas mixed with fire bombs?
Report Post »that may stop them! Their song is the “The Devils Song” http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_10789987
So let them burn like hell.
centenium
Posted on April 28, 2012 at 2:39pm@enough is enough
Wonderful Government oversight has made it part of international maritime law that no firearms can be transported on the ships. It is not that these people don’t want to exercise their rights to bare arms. They are forbidden by law.
And a shower curtain pumping out that amount of volume is amazing. Have you ever been on the receiving end of a pressure washer?
Report Post »lowerclassrepublican
Posted on April 28, 2012 at 2:45pmThis is more of a stand alone system for night protection.
Report Post »teamarcheson
Posted on April 28, 2012 at 4:02pm50 cal machine guns would do a better job. Pirates do not like lead entering their body.
Report Post »pastorrick
Posted on April 28, 2012 at 4:23pmWhat’s wrong with a spray of lead!
Report Post »MR_ANDERSON
Posted on April 29, 2012 at 12:22amYou want a defense system that can operate without opening up normal crews to hostile fire. This system allows crew members to turn it on and then take cover, or better, leave it run for the days they transit through pirate infested waters.
I’ve boarded ships before, and while this would be a defense, it would not be that difficult to get around. The way I’m looking at it, it would make it easier.
Report Post »Secret Squirrel
Posted on April 29, 2012 at 11:03am.
Look. They’re pirates.
It ain’t Johnny Depp.
Here’s the solution. Guns.
Leaky boat approaches during the night 400 miles off shore.
They aren’t selling trinkets, for god’s sake.
Riddle the boat with bullet holes and keep moving.
No pirates and the sharks are happy.
Win-win.
Or, try singing ***-ba-yah with them, see how that works.
Report Post »Then get back to me. Jeez.
Secret Squirrel
Posted on April 29, 2012 at 11:05am.
Report Post »You bleeped a song title?
SgtHenick
Posted on April 29, 2012 at 1:19pmI bet if they sprayed bullets…it wouldnt take long for the pirate problem to disappear
Report Post »DaddyDave
Posted on April 28, 2012 at 10:40amI think the Obama admin is behing this method. And must be currently using it.
Didn’t Joe Biden just say the president has a big hose?
Report Post »denisp52
Posted on April 28, 2012 at 10:50amNO…. he said he was a big dick…
Report Post »MAULEMALL
Posted on April 28, 2012 at 10:51amand joe has the stains on his knees to prove it
Report Post »G-WHIZ
Posted on April 28, 2012 at 10:55amNooo…annother Bidde-gaff…B.Clinton was the one with “the big hose”. :o)
Report Post »dadsrootbeer
Posted on April 28, 2012 at 10:38amAn improvement would be to put an additive to the sprayed water like acid that would burn the face, skin and eyes. Or the cheapest way. Use a bullet.
Report Post »bluesdog
Posted on April 28, 2012 at 10:37amHydrochloric acid would work well.
Report Post »bluesdog
Posted on April 28, 2012 at 10:34amMa Deuce works better. (.50 cal)
Report Post »jsciai
Posted on April 28, 2012 at 10:23amThe problem with a defensive system is that it doesn’t REMOVE the attacker. Most pirates carry RPG’s and artillary that could cripple or even destroy many of the ships on the ocean. And don’t even think about a tanker. So, when the pirate sees the ‘water curtain of death’ on a ship they just radio the captain and tell him to turn it off or they’ll blast them out of the water. No solution here guys.
Report Post »JohnQTaxpayer
Posted on April 28, 2012 at 10:20amAdd permanent dye to the water. Then let it be known they are marked for death, and then kill a few to spread fear
JQT
Report Post »Enough is Enough__Oath_Keeper
Posted on April 28, 2012 at 1:43pmNice IDEA!!!!!! Stain them & then kill them (I am envisioning permanent blue Pirates)
Report Post »SgtB
Posted on April 29, 2012 at 1:37amGet the Sharpie scientists working IMMEDIATELY!
In all seriousness. This system is a waste of time and the ship captains that are following “maritime law” by disarming themselves should not be allowed to be captains. Every ship should be equipped with a rifle if the people aboard respect their own lives. Venturing out to sea without food or water would be seen as suicide. Well, so is venturing out onto the open ocean without a means to defend yourself. We as a species used to understand this fully well. Where did we go wrong?
Report Post »Stoic one
Posted on April 29, 2012 at 1:02pmSGTB progressives.
Report Post »tmkphx1962
Posted on April 28, 2012 at 10:15amI think they should just be shot. End of game.
Report Post »DearDonkey
Posted on April 28, 2012 at 10:15amWhat’s next? Water balloons? What an embarrassing joke. The idea that innocent people on ships have to use water guns to fight criminals with real guns is absurd.
I think it’s time to do some house cleaning. We need new people in charge. Unbelievable.
Report Post »G-WHIZ
Posted on April 28, 2012 at 11:00am100-gallon water balloons, over their boats…and [sploooooosh]! blub-blub-blub. Get the “drift”? Engines and weppons don’t mix well with 100% seawater… from under water.
Report Post »Leader1776
Posted on April 28, 2012 at 10:04amThis calls for action out of the Sanger, Holdren, Singer, Sunstein playbook. In their views, and similar to other human life forms (non-societal / non-productive and non-taxable) these pirates can be eliminated, aborted, exterminated. I’m sure Singer plays a 3D video game on his Princeton computer about blasting these non-productive vermin.
Report Post »RightPolitically
Posted on April 28, 2012 at 10:02amLeave it to the Japanese to come up with the best ideas.
Report Post »Lord_Frostwind
Posted on April 28, 2012 at 1:39pmThey had practice against “Admiral Watson” and the Whale Wars idiots. Though the guys carrying RPG’s are in somewhat of a different league than a bunch of hippies with too much money.
Report Post »Walkabout
Posted on April 28, 2012 at 2:15pmI think any people or nation not willing to protect their seafarers is a nation not worthy to live above the poverty level.
Report Post »notreally
Posted on April 28, 2012 at 9:53amSomeone did a study on how many Russian ships have been attacked. I believe the researcher found one — the first, and the last one — which resulted in numerous dead pirates.
Report Post »Vietvet1
Posted on April 28, 2012 at 9:30amMaybe just spray them with flammable liquids and …well you figure out what happens next.. LOL Or… what if they sit back and shoot off the nozzles that stick out over the deck..then all the water would shoot straight out in a known pattern allowing them to board the conventional Pirate way.
Part of the NO GUN policy is brought on by the cargo receiving port/country. They do not want citizens of other countries armed in the borders of their countries while the ship is in port. Maybe they should build floating Docks to unload a ship outside territorial waters. During the Vietnam War we had many Floating Dry Docks to raise ships for hull repairs. But, we seem to have left them there when we pulled out in 1975. The technology is old and still holds merit… and you can be armed on the high seas. JMO
Report Post »nomark
Posted on April 30, 2012 at 4:05amI can understand the no to sidearms due to port restrictions. But how about permanently mounted .50 BMGs on the deck of the ships No ammo till the captain gives it out and then blam. One magazine and no more pirates.
Report Post »OldVet
Posted on April 28, 2012 at 9:16amThe ships have no weapons because the United Nations in it’s wisdom has disarmed them, just like they would like to do to Americans. If they do disarm us I guess we would then be fighting “land” pirates.
Report Post »Ruler4You
Posted on April 28, 2012 at 9:33amThe problem here “IS” that pirates have been “enabled” (to use a all too over used phrase) by the international bankers, the U.N. and appeasers.
The correct action “IS” total annihilation. Unapologetic and immediate. And don’t even look back.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on April 28, 2012 at 9:12amIt’s seems to me that machine giuns would also be effective. Change the laws! Don’t bring a super soaker to a gun fight.
Report Post »Fubared
Posted on April 28, 2012 at 10:04amThere are many a vet that would happily send the pirates to feed the ocean wild life. Sharks need to eat too, no offense to those in the legal occupation. Wouldn’t a .338 Lapua be more effective and send a non happy play time kind of message to skinnies with AK’s?
Report Post »lobster
Posted on April 29, 2012 at 12:16amDuring WW II our merchant marines were armed with 50 cal. It’s amazing how much power a 50 has. It will penetrate engine blocks and go out the other side. I guess it’s not politically correct to protect yourself anymore.
Report Post »BobtheMoron
Posted on April 28, 2012 at 9:11amHeavily armed decoy ships would clean them out pretty quick. If you don’t know which one is armed it reduces the risk to all. Of course, that would make way too much sense.
Report Post »Leader1776
Posted on April 28, 2012 at 9:54amNice. I like that. And because these ships aren‘t really bound for any port they don’t abide by the ports’ bans.
Report Post »bluesdog
Posted on April 28, 2012 at 10:35amI like the way you think.
Report Post »Lord_Frostwind
Posted on April 28, 2012 at 1:40pmBack in the day when merchant vessels ran armed, and you never knew when you were running into a Q Ship, piracy was a lot tougher. Why did we change those laws again?
Report Post »grimmy
Posted on April 28, 2012 at 9:03amChum the water with pigs blood, shoot the boat out from under them, and sit back, grab a beer, and watch the feeding frenzy…….course that is IF sharks eat muslims…….
Report Post »Twobyfour
Posted on April 28, 2012 at 3:27pmSharks are equal opportunity feeders. That’s their religion.
Report Post »blanco5
Posted on April 28, 2012 at 9:01amWhy not spray them with lollipops and silly string? Then allow them to come aboard and offer them foot massages?
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on April 28, 2012 at 8:37amma deuce would do a better job…….
Report Post »grimmy
Posted on April 28, 2012 at 9:00am@Rebublicorp.
Report Post »Or a minigun…….
MAMMY_NUNN
Posted on April 28, 2012 at 1:51pmClaymores are effective also.
Report Post »BlackCrow
Posted on April 28, 2012 at 8:36amIt’s called a GUN! Kill enough of these Muslim THIEVES and they might go into some other nefarious business like slave trading.
Report Post »misteryuck
Posted on April 28, 2012 at 8:30amThere should be a place to put into the water spray some pig blood and or urine.
Report Post »There should also be warnings written in Arabic on the sides of the ship stating that water or liquid sprayed from this vessel may contain pig urine and or blood. There should also be loudspeakers anoucing this as well.
I like bullets diped in pig blood too….
Baddoggy
Posted on April 28, 2012 at 8:35amI like the way you think Captain. I would sail with you anytime.
Report Post »bluesdog
Posted on April 28, 2012 at 10:36amHow about hollow points filled with Pig blood?
Report Post »reality based lifeform
Posted on April 28, 2012 at 8:29amnow those pirates will really be hosed !
Report Post »Rashomon
Posted on April 28, 2012 at 8:26amnow add heat – boiling water and steam
Report Post »OneRepublic4us
Posted on April 28, 2012 at 7:56amDoesn’t Wham-o have a patent on the Water Wiggle? It’s a great idea. If it doesn’t soak you it will wrap around your legs and trip you or around your neck and choke you.
Report Post »dissentnow
Posted on April 28, 2012 at 7:51amLead works much better than water when dealing with pirates!
Report Post »momrules
Posted on April 28, 2012 at 8:40amI was going to ask whatever happened to good old fashioned guns but you beat me to it.
Report Post »mjazzguitar
Posted on April 28, 2012 at 3:06pmInsurance companies won’t let them.
Report Post »