'Watchstander' offers non-lethal option for deterring pirates
Watchstander - an automated, non-lethal deterrent that protects against attacks on transient vessels- is being pitched for the first time to the superyacht market by the company's founder, David Rigsby.…
Watchstander is a company, new to the superyacht industry, that offers an automated non-lethal deterrent system for vessels. Up to now the company has targeted the commercial sector but is now also pitching the system to superyacht owners.
The system, which requires no human input once installed, utilises an ‘intelligent controller’ to identify the threat. This is done by applying multiple parameters to objects in the vicinity and establishing threats through a complex process of elimination.
When a threat has been identified, a ‘non-lethal deterrent suite’ is deployed, or in layman’s terms, a series of counter-piracy measures is unleashed in a carefully orchestrated sequence.
At two nautical miles a bright white light is beamed on to the approaching vessel, which then morphs into a flashlight that disorientates the operator by temporarily blinding them.
For vessels that persist with their pursuit, Watchstander has collaborated with Guardian to produce customisable pellets, with a range of 400m. The pellets can be fitted with dye, CS gas, pepper spray or equivalents. The company’s founder, David Rigsby, calls this “kinetic interaction with the target”. This can be varied to include baton rounds or projectile Taser devices. Rigsby says the deterrents can be extended “right up to the side of the boat”, although in the commercial sector, he says that crews typically switch to lethal deterrents at 300m. At this point, the Watchstander system’s role becomes one of evidence, as all images and data is recorded by the system to produce a ‘map’ of events as they unfold – an important consideration if the incident leads to judicial procedures.
The Watchstander system can be installed to meet bespoke requirements – with deterrents integrated and adapted to suit the needs of the client - and is marketed on its intuitive nature. “We provide at least two nautical miles of warning time”, Rigsby says, “but we’re confident, with radar technology as it is, that we can push it out to five nautical miles.” This gives the captain time to initiate an escape or implement the vessel’s security breach procedures, although the Watchstander claim is that the majority of vessels retreat when their presence has been highlighted.
The superyacht industry has struggled to pinpoint the primary threat to owners, guests and the vessels themselves. Although piracy is an oft-quoted ‘threat’ there have been next to no attacks on 30m+ yachts. There are those who argue the actual threat exists when the vessel is berthed in the marina.
Watchstander however, is a security system for yachts in motion, designed to protect vessels against attacks or hijackings. And for superyacht owners who wrestle with the idea of lethal deterrents, or who dislike the idea of having security forces on board, there is obvious appeal. Prevention after all, is better than cure. For Rigsby this is a unique solution:
“There is no competitor. Our software doesn’t think about its wife or family [before acting]; its mind doesn’t wander and it’s on 24/7.”
Details on the conference programme and panelists to be announced soon. The cost to attend this management meeting, including lunch and dinner is available for just € 400.00. Click here to register your attendance, or call +44 (0) 20 7924 4004 for more information.
The system, which requires no human input once installed, utilises an ‘intelligent controller’ to identify the threat. This is done by applying multiple parameters to objects in the vicinity and establishing threats through a complex process of elimination.
When a threat has been identified, a ‘non-lethal deterrent suite’ is deployed, or in layman’s terms, a series of counter-piracy measures is unleashed in a carefully orchestrated sequence.
At two nautical miles a bright white light is beamed on to the approaching vessel, which then morphs into a flashlight that disorientates the operator by temporarily blinding them.
For vessels that persist with their pursuit, Watchstander has collaborated with Guardian to produce customisable pellets, with a range of 400m. The pellets can be fitted with dye, CS gas, pepper spray or equivalents. The company’s founder, David Rigsby, calls this “kinetic interaction with the target”. This can be varied to include baton rounds or projectile Taser devices. Rigsby says the deterrents can be extended “right up to the side of the boat”, although in the commercial sector, he says that crews typically switch to lethal deterrents at 300m. At this point, the Watchstander system’s role becomes one of evidence, as all images and data is recorded by the system to produce a ‘map’ of events as they unfold – an important consideration if the incident leads to judicial procedures.
The Watchstander system can be installed to meet bespoke requirements – with deterrents integrated and adapted to suit the needs of the client - and is marketed on its intuitive nature. “We provide at least two nautical miles of warning time”, Rigsby says, “but we’re confident, with radar technology as it is, that we can push it out to five nautical miles.” This gives the captain time to initiate an escape or implement the vessel’s security breach procedures, although the Watchstander claim is that the majority of vessels retreat when their presence has been highlighted.
The superyacht industry has struggled to pinpoint the primary threat to owners, guests and the vessels themselves. Although piracy is an oft-quoted ‘threat’ there have been next to no attacks on 30m+ yachts. There are those who argue the actual threat exists when the vessel is berthed in the marina.
Watchstander however, is a security system for yachts in motion, designed to protect vessels against attacks or hijackings. And for superyacht owners who wrestle with the idea of lethal deterrents, or who dislike the idea of having security forces on board, there is obvious appeal. Prevention after all, is better than cure. For Rigsby this is a unique solution:
“There is no competitor. Our software doesn’t think about its wife or family [before acting]; its mind doesn’t wander and it’s on 24/7.”
The Watchstander system looks to avoid the need for lethal weapons on board. Image courtesy of Horst Reutten.
Identifying the evolving threats to on board security will be top of the agenda at Superyacht Management Meeting: Port State Control & Security, taking place on 26 June at Hotel 1898 in Barcelona.Details on the conference programme and panelists to be announced soon. The cost to attend this management meeting, including lunch and dinner is available for just € 400.00. Click here to register your attendance, or call +44 (0) 20 7924 4004 for more information.
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