Counter Piracy Company Says It Has Cost Effective Answer to Threat of Attacks at Sea

UK – WORLDWIDE – Anti-piracy and maritime security product manufacturer Easi-Chock says it has now completed the fit out of a landmark 150 shipping vessels. The company was founded by ex-UK Special Forces member Wayne Harrison after he was subjected to a Somali pirate attack in 2010. Wayne and his security team survived and also kept the crew safe using improvised devices to lock doors and portholes and create a citadel which proved impenetrable to the attackers.

Since Easi-Chock was established in 2013, the company has hardened 150 vessels against similar attacks, with types of vessels including bulk carriers and tankers fitted with sophisticated versions of the devices Wayne fashioned out of necessity during his voyage. Wayne said:

“While Somali piracy is no longer prominent in the news, the threat remains as highlighted by recent attacks. However more imminently and presently, piracy and acts of violence and robbery are still rife within the Straits of Malacca, South China Sea, Sulu Sea and the Gulf of Guinea in West Africa being the worst hotspots, especially considering the provision of armed guards is not possible.

“Presently, international guidance advises that ships should be protected by water cannons and razor wire. However due to the limited effectiveness of these measures, armed guards costing anything between $10,000 and $15,000 per transit are recruited for voyages through the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean costing the shipping industry billions per year.

“The Easi-Chock solution is simpler, more effective and more comprehensive. Our system turns the whole of the superstructure into a safe haven by implementing many layers of defence with all the crew safely located in the engine room. The system is delivered to delay, deny and demoralise pirates, who realise that they are unable to gain control of the vessel and abandon their attempts knowing they are likely to be caught and brought to justice.

“Having started with ideas for products in my mind, I am delighted that they are now protecting 150 ships, numerous crew members and the vital goods they are transporting internationally.”

Easi-Chock state that there have been zero successful reported attacks on vessels fitted with their products and that it costs approximately £7,000 to fit the equipment on the average tanker. This draws a stark contrast with the price of an armed security team, and the £20,000 spent per year to replenish razor wire, which is easily bypassed by pirates.

The company supplies and fits a range of products that allow crews to protect themselves from attack:

• The Easi-Chock – a tubular device which prevents a door handle lever mechanism from being depressed. This can be fitted to internal and exit doors in under 30 seconds and can withstand up to 80KG of downward force. It can be removed in under 5 seconds.
• The Easi-Block – a steel plate designed to protect the portholes of emergency exit doors situated throughout the accommodation decks. It can withstand 800KG of pull and only takes 20 minutes to fit.
• The Easi-Block Padlock Protection Box – a simple metal box that shrouds padlocks from attack, these are generally used to secure external lockers and storage spaces.
• The Easi-Grille – a lightweight grille designed to be internally installed onto vulnerable portholes situated throughout the superstructure of a vessel. It can withstand more than 1.5 tonnes of direct pull.

Wayne concluded:

“Moving forwards I am keen to speak to anybody charged with the provision and specification of security products for tankers and cargo ships about how Easi-Chock provides a cost-effective long-term solution and saves operators staggering sums of money.”