In april 2010 SWZ Maritime had the scoop on a new invention to protect ships from pirates: the P-Trap. Since then, the product has been further tested and developed so that it is now commercially available. The P-Trap will be launched at Europort. SWZonline has collected some photos and videos.
https://westmarkbv.com/[Westmark BV], based in the Netherlands, created the https://www.ptrap.com[P-Trap] as a passive non-lethal ship protection measure. Once deployed, it protects seagoing vessels from boarding attempts by pirates. The reusable system carries thin lines which float at the waterline around the sides and at the stern of a vessel. Pirates that enter the P-Trap safety zone will run into the lines, which are designed to become entangled in their engines, disabling their vessel. The P-Trap is designed to defend against multiple simultaneous attacks and does not require crew involvement once deployed.
Since last year, Westmark has created three prototype systems, designed to fit most seagoing ships. The effectiveness of the system was proven during trials with the Dutch Coastguard, Navy & Rescue Service. https://www.swzonline.nl/weblog/3[Watch some videos of the prototype testing and the workings of the system here on SWZonline] or https://www.swzonline.nl/fotoverslag/25[visit the photo album SWZ posted] earlier.
Awards for the P-Trap
Within the past months P-Trap was finalist for the Lloyd’s List Awards, Global 2011, finalist for the Seatrade Awards 2011 and winner at the Safety at Sea International Awards 2011 in the Security category.
P-Trap at Entrance Europort
The new commercial version will be launched at https://www.europort.nl/[Europort], which takes place in Ahoy, Rotterdam, from November 8 through 12. A full size P-Trap will be displayed at the entrance of the Ahoy Exhibition Centre and Westmark BV will have a stand in the HME pavilion in the Scheldehal. (stand nr. 1116)
Dockwise Has P-Trap Onboard Its Fleet
https://www.dockwise.com/page/homepage.html[Dockwise] purchased and tested the system this year on one of its ships. Following three successful transits through the Gulf of Aden using the P-Trap, the company is expanding the use of the system on board its entire fleet.
