The Netherlands: Westmark Launches Anti-piracy Product P-Trap

During the past 18 months Westmark BV’s anti-piracy product, P-Trap ®, has been further tested and developed to the extent that P-Trap ® is now commercially available to the shipping industry.

During the upcoming tradeshow EUROPORT 2011, which will be held in Rotterdam from November 8 through 12, the P-Trap ® will be presented to the public. 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.

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.

Westmark BV, based in the Netherlands, created the 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.

According to the ICC International Maritime Bureau (IMB), this year (up to September 27), 346 pirate attacks have been reported worldwide; 15 vessels are currently being held by Somali pirates; and 277 seafarers are now being held hostage.

“The P-Trap ® concept is as simple as locking your doors and windows before going to bed at night. It’s practical and it makes sense,” said Lodewijk Westerbeek van Eerten, creator of P-Trap ®. “The option to lock the perimeter of a ship offers seafarers an extra layer of protection and peace of mind so that they can focus on their core business—the transport of goods.”

Dockwise, a global market leader in the transport of extremely large and heavy cargoes, 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 ®, Dockwise is expanding the use of the system on board its entire fleet. “We welcome the opportunity to provide additional tools and resources to our crews to reduce the risk of piracy attacks at sea,” said Marco Schut, Dockwise Vice President of Operations. Meanwhile, four Dockwise vessels are equipped with a P-Trap ®.

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Source: P-Trap, October 11, 2011.