Piracy, stowaways, smuggling and other threats
1The lesson in plain words
Pirates, robbers, stowaways and smugglers all want to use or harm the ship. Knowing how they operate helps you spot them early.
Piracy and armed robbery
Piracy under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS, article 101) means illegal violence, detention or plunder for private ends by people on one private ship against another ship. Piracy rules apply on the high seas, in exclusive economic zones (EEZs), and outside state jurisdiction. EEZs lie beyond the territorial sea. Comparable acts or threats in internal waters, archipelagic waters or the territorial sea are armed robbery against ships (IMO resolution A.1025(26)). The territorial sea extends up to 12 nautical miles from the baseline.
Industry guidance
BMP Maritime Security, published in 2025 by BIMCO, ICS, INTERTANKO, OCIMF and other industry bodies, replaced BMP5 and the regional best management practices with one guide. It helps ships plan voyages and detect, deter, delay and report attacks, including attacks by state and non-state groups with missiles or drones in conflict areas. Your ship's plan turns it into simple drills: you learn the alarm, where to go and what to do.
Stowaways and smuggling
Stowaways hide on board to travel without permission, in holds, containers, lockers, spaces around the rudder shaft or inside the funnel (exhaust structure). They endanger themselves and cost the ship time and money. Smugglers use ships to move drugs, weapons or people, sometimes hiding packages in containers, cargo, stores, crew cabins or on the hull underwater. A crew member who carries a package for a stranger can end up in prison.
Other threats
Weapons or explosives can be hidden in cargo, baggage or stores. Sabotage is deliberate damage or interference with the ship or its equipment. Terrorism uses violence or threats to intimidate people or coerce authorities. Criminals bypass security using false identities or uniforms, distracting the gangway watch, climbing anchor chains or mooring lines, or approaching from the side away from the quay.
2Key data
- Piracy (UNCLOS art. 101)
- High seas, EEZs or outside state jurisdiction; private ends
- Armed robbery (IMO A.1025(26))
- Inside internal waters, archipelagic waters or territorial sea
- Territorial sea
- Up to 12 nautical miles from the baseline
- Industry guide
- BMP Maritime Security (2025), replacing BMP5
3Key points
- 1
Piracy rules apply on the high seas and in EEZs; armed robbery occurs in internal, archipelagic or territorial waters.
- 2
BMP Maritime Security (2025) replaced BMP5 and the regional guides.
- 3
Stowaways hide in holds, containers, lockers, spaces around the rudder shaft and inside the funnel.
- 4
Smugglers hide drugs and weapons in cargo, stores, cabins and on the hull.
- 5
Never carry a package on board for someone you do not know.
4Frequent mistakes
Wrong: A robbery at anchor inside a port's waters is piracy.
Right: Comparable private-end attacks in internal, archipelagic or territorial waters are armed robbery against ships. Piracy rules apply on the high seas, in EEZs and outside state jurisdiction.
Wrong: Pirates are only a problem off Somalia.
Right: Piracy and armed robbery occur in several regions, and robbery at anchor happens worldwide. Follow the current guidance.
5Practice case & exam keys
Before sailing, a man on the quay offers you money to take a small sealed parcel aboard "for a friend" in the next port. He says it is only medicine.
Show the answer
Refuse. You cannot know what is inside, and you would be the one carrying it through customs: drug smuggling can mean years in prison. Do not touch the parcel. Note the man's description and report the offer at once to the SSO or the officer of the watch, who can tell the port authorities.
Exam keys
- Piracy: private ends, high seas, EEZs or outside state jurisdiction; armed robbery: internal, archipelagic or territorial waters.
- BMP Maritime Security (2025) is the current industry guide.
- Threats include piracy, armed robbery, terrorism, stowaways, smuggling and sabotage.
- Criminals use false identities, distraction and unwatched access such as mooring lines or small boats.
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