Which of the following are common protections against piracy risk for ships?

• A. Ignore piracy risk
• B. Follow BMP guidelines, plan routes, vary speed, use citadels or secure rooms, and consider armed guards where appropriate
• C. Rely solely on insurance
• D. Sail with lights off at night

Answer: (B)

Protection against piracy relies on a layered, proactive security approach that reduces exposure and improves the crew’s ability to respond. Following established guidelines like BMP provides a practical framework: plan routes to steer clear of known piracy hotspots, adjust speed and course to be less predictable and to allow safer maneuvering, and implement secure response options such as citadels or secure rooms where the crew can shelter with sufficient supplies and independent communications if boarding occurs. When appropriate and legally permissible, armed guards can be part of the plan to deter or respond to threats, adding a further layer of protection within a broader risk management strategy.

These measures work together to create multiple barriers and options, rather than relying on a single solution. Ignoring piracy risk offers no protection, relying only on insurance doesn’t prevent an attack, and sailing with lights off at night would hinder navigation and safety without meaningfully reducing piracy risk.