Unit 8: Maritime Terrorism

Question 1

IMB defines piracy

Answer 1

any “act of boarding or attempting to
board any ship with the apparent intent to commit theft or any
other crime and with the apparent intent or capability to use
force in furtherance of that act.”

Question 2

Maritime terrorism is defined by CSCAP as:

Answer 2

1) the undertaking of terrorist acts and activities
2) Within the maritime environment,
3) Using or against vessels or fixed platforms at sea or in the port,
or against anyone of the passengers or personnel,
4) Against coastal facilities or settlements, including tourist resorts,
ports areas and port towns or cities.

Question 3

Targets chosen fall into four categories:

Answer 3

1) Ships as iconic targets – symbolic to the target state that the attack is
directed towards (naval warship)
2) Ships as economic targets – those that when attacked may disrupt the
economic activity of the adversarial state (e.g. oil tankers).
3) Ships as mass casualty targets – ship carrying a large amount of passengers
(e.g. cruise ship)
4) Ships as weapons – by driving the ship into another ship, potentially one that has volatile cargo
5) An attack on either of these targets has the potential to cause chaos and
spread fear among the population.

Question 4

Methods of attack:
- Terrorists often use small boats to carry out attacks against
unsuspecting ships because

Answer 4

1) Their speed and acceleration,
2) Manoeuvrability and
3) Ability to evade radar detection.
4) Small boats are also less expensive and less conspicuous.
5) Unlike pirates, terrorists are less likely to board the ship.
6) Considering that terrorists are politically rather than economically
driven, they are more likely to destroy the ship to send a political
message to their adversaries

Question 5

Defining characteristics of maritime terrorism

Answer 5

1) Violence or the threat of violence in pursuance of their acts
2) A need for funding to sustain their operations;
3) And a land-based component to support these activities

Question 6

Nature of maritime terrorist threats

Answer 6

1) Legal and jurisdictional weakness
2) Favorable geography
3) Inadequate security
4) Secure base areas
5) Maritime tradition.
6) Charismatic and effective leadership
7) State support
8) Promise of reward