GAC Maritime Security has added the award winning P-trap anti-boarding device to its range of non-lethal vessel protection solutions.
A winner at the 5th Safety at Sea International Awards and a finalist in the Seatrade Awards and Lloyd’s List Awards in 2011, P-trap is an engine blocking system that creates a security zone around the ship to prevent other vessels from approaching too close and attempting to board and SWZ Maritime was the first to report on this invention in April 2010. Created by Netherlands-based specialists Westmark BV, this patented anti-boarding device creates a non-lethal secure barrier around a ship, adding an additional layer of protection from attack.
Lines on Side Booms
The P-trap has a set of long, thin lines that are carried on side booms extending up to 10 metres from the ship’s bow on both sides of the ship just below the water surface. Any vessel entering this security zone will run into these lines, which trap the propeller and disable the engines, disabling the approaching vessel. Designed to be deployed before entering high-risk areas, the P-trap provides continuous protection against multiple attacks, day and night, without the need for crew involvement and constant vigilance.
Simple but Ingenious
GAC Maritime Security is a partnership between global shipping, logistics and marine services provider GAC Group and AKE Group. Christer Sjödoff, Group Vice President, GAC Solutions, says: ‘GAC Maritime Security is committed to offering a range of non-lethal vessel protection measures that can be deployed by vessel owners and operators as part of a systematic, multi-layered approach to sea defense. P-trap is an award-winning vessel hardening solution that has been tested by the navy, coastguard and rescue services, as well as commercial shipping. Its simple but ingenious system of boom-mounted lines ensures that no hostile vessel can approach close enough to board.’
P-Trap Swivel-Boom
Several P-trap systems have been created to fit most seagoing ships, including the P-trap swivel-boom, the most commonly applied system, and the P-trap sliding-boom, designed for vessels with a forward bulkhead.
Other Anti-Piracy Partnerships
The partnership with Westmark BV is the latest in a series of ventures for GAC Maritime Security, who most recently teamed up with Mobile Defense Systems LLC to provide PirateFence anti-grapple razor wire. GAC Maritime Security has also partnered with defense system provider Unifire to offer its Seaserpent Anti-Pirate Water Cannon System, along with SPS Citadel Access Protection from Intelligent Engineering (IE), as well as providing onboard crew training, pre-voyage preparation, global maritime security intelligence and round-the-clock monitoring and support.
Picture: Testing of the P-Trap (from SWZ|Maritime, April 2010 as provided by Westmark BV)
