Lena Torres
Cruise ships have been using sonic cannons, or Long Range Acoustic Devices (LRADs), to protect their passengers and repel boarders. LRADs are sonic weapons that use sound to injure, disorient, or incapacitate targets. They emit extremely high-power sound waves that can disrupt or destroy the eardrums of a target, causing severe pain, headaches, nausea, disorientation, or discomfort. LRADs were designed by the American Technology Corporation and thousands have been sold since 2003, including large orders to the US Armed Forces. The devices are also used by police forces against protesters and rioters.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the device | LRAD, Long Range Acoustic Device |
| Purpose | To repel boarders, protect passengers, and defend ships |
| How it works | Emits a very loud noise, a tight beam of painful siren-like sound |
| Sound level | 150 decibels |
| Effects | Hearing damage, headache, ear pain, nausea, disorientation, discomfort |
| Users | American and British cruise lines, US Armed Forces, police forces, US Army, Pentagon |
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What You'll Learn
Cruise ships use sonic cannons for security
Cruise ships use sonic cannons, or LRADs (Long Range Acoustic Devices), for security. LRADs are small dishes that emit extremely loud noises, causing pain and discomfort to targets. The noise can be as loud as 150 decibels, the equivalent of standing 30 meters away from a jet engine. While LRADs are not lethal, they can cause hearing damage and other negative health effects if misused. LRADs have been used by cruise ships to repel pirates and boarders, with the intense noise making it difficult for attackers to continue their assault.
The use of LRADs on cruise ships came into the spotlight in 2005 when the crew of the Seabourn Spirit used a sonic cannon to deter pirates off the coast of Somalia. The pirates, who were armed with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades, were forced to retreat due to the excruciating noise created by the LRAD. The device was provided to the cruise ship by the US Defense Department, which sought to protect its ships from potential attackers without causing lethal harm.
LRADs are also used by police and military forces for crowd control and to issue warnings. The devices have been purchased by police departments in New York and Boston, and around 300 LRADs are in use in Iraq. In addition to their security applications, LRADs can be used as a megaphone, enabling users to communicate over long distances.
While the use of sonic cannons has proven effective in deterring attackers and rioters, there are concerns about their potential misuse. Studies have shown that exposure to high-intensity ultrasound can cause lung, intestinal, and liver damage, as well as negative effects on the central nervous system and other internal organs. As a result, the potential for sonic cannons to be used as weapons against protesters has raised ethical concerns.
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LRADs are designed by American Technology Corporation
LRADs, or Long Range Acoustic Devices, are sonic cannons designed by the American Technology Corporation (ATC), a small firm based in San Diego, California. The device emits a high-intensity beam of sound that can cause severe pain, disorientation, nausea, discomfort, and even hearing damage if misused. LRADs were designed to provide a non-lethal means of defence and crowd control. They have been used by the US military and police forces and have also been adopted by cruise lines to protect their passengers from potential attackers, such as pirates.
The LRAD is a small dish that weighs approximately 20 kilograms and is about the size of a television satellite dish. It emits a tight beam of extremely loud noise, equivalent to standing 30 meters away from a roaring jet engine at 150 decibels. This noise can be hellishly deafening but is not lethal. The closer one is to the sonic cannon, the worse the effects, with potential hearing damage and excruciating headaches at close range.
The LRAD was first used by the crew of the cruise ship Seabourn Spirit in 2005 to successfully deter pirates who attacked the ship off the coast of Somalia. The device was instrumental in scaring off the attackers, and the ship was able to escape with minimal damage. Since then, LRADs have been installed on many cruise ships to enhance security and protect passengers and crew from potential threats.
American Technology Corporation has sold thousands of LRADs since 2003, with large orders from the US Armed Forces. The US Army uses the sonic cannons for various purposes, including clearing houses acoustically and communicating with soldiers at checkpoints. The device's ability to emit a focused beam of sound that can be understood as speech makes it a versatile tool for both military and civilian applications.
While LRADs have proven effective in enhancing security, there are concerns about their potential misuse. The high-intensity sound waves produced by LRADs can cause hearing damage and other health issues if misused. There have been reports of "sonic attacks" on US and Canadian embassy staff in Havana, Cuba, resulting in hearing loss and other health problems. As a result, the potential risks and ethical implications of using sound cannons must be carefully considered and balanced against their benefits in ensuring safety and security.
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LRADs are used to repel boarders
Cruise ships have been employing the use of LRADs (Long Range Acoustic Devices), or sonic cannons, to repel boarders. These devices are used as a security measure to protect passengers and the ship. While cruise ship companies remain tight-lipped about their security procedures, it is understood that LRADs are installed on many ships.
LRADs are sonic cannon-like devices that emit a pulsing burst of sound energy at a loud volume. The sound produced by an LRAD at its loudest can be compared to standing near a roaring jet engine and can cause hearing damage if misused. When a ship detects a potential security threat, the LRAD can be activated to emit a loud noise, often accompanied by a recorded voice warning, to deter intruders and violate security zones.
The LRAD unit is typically manned by a crew member when the ship is docked or moving at a reduced speed. On the Queen Mary II, for example, a tour boat captain and passengers experienced the LRAD's effects when they approached the ship too closely. They were blasted with a burst of sound followed by a recorded message instructing them to leave the area.
The use of LRADs on cruise ships has sparked discussions about the measures taken to protect passengers and crew. While some may view LRADs as a necessary security tool, others may have concerns about the potential impact on hearing and the overall effectiveness of these devices in ensuring the safety of those on board.
In summary, LRADs are sound-based devices used by cruise ships to repel boarders and enhance security. Their usage underlines the importance placed on safeguarding passengers and crew from potential threats. However, the impact and implications of deploying such devices require careful consideration to balance safety with potential auditory risks.
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LRADs can cause major hearing damage
Cruise ships have started using sonic cannon-like devices called LRADs (Long Range Acoustic Devices) to protect their passengers and repel boarders. While these devices are useful for security, they can cause major hearing damage if misused. The LRAD's loudest setting is 150 decibels, which is equivalent to standing 30 meters away from a roaring jet engine. This level of noise can cause hearing damage.
The LRADs are often manned by a member of the crew whenever the ship is docked or moving at a reduced speed. While cruise ship companies do not discuss their security procedures, these devices are installed on many ships.
Noise is a major risk factor for hearing loss, especially in urban environments. Studies have shown that even low levels of noise exposure can cause hearing damage when combined with other factors. For example, a study of Andean adults in the ceramic lead-glazing industry found that intense occupational noise levels combined with lead exposure may induce hearing loss.
Additionally, heavy metals such as lead and cadmium have been identified as risk factors for hearing loss in animal studies. Large-scale studies on the general human population are rare, but one such study in Korea found that even low-level lead exposure negatively affects hearing. This suggests that environmental lead exposure should be reduced to protect hearing health.
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LRADs are also used by police and military forces
LRADs, or Long Range Acoustic Devices, are sonic cannons used by cruise ships to repel boarders and pirates. They are also used by police and military forces. LRADs were designed by the San Diego-based American Technology Corporation and have been sold to the US Armed Forces, with around 300 in use in Iraq. The US Army uses the devices to clear houses acoustically, and as a megaphone to communicate with people over 300 meters away.
Police forces in New York and Boston have also purchased LRADs, and they have been used during protests and riots to disperse crowds. LRADs were used during the 2009 G20 Pittsburgh summit, the 2014 Ferguson unrest, and the 2016 Dakota Access Pipeline protest in North Dakota, among other demonstrations. In 2020 and 2021, Greek authorities used long-range sound cannons to deter migrants on the Turkish border.
The use of LRADs by law enforcement and military personnel has raised concerns about their potential for misuse and abuse. When used at 150 decibels, LRADs can cause major hearing damage and even result in permanent hearing loss. Studies have shown that exposure to high-intensity ultrasound can lead to lung and intestinal damage, heart rate pattern changes, and other serious health issues.
While LRADs can be effective tools for cruise ship security and law enforcement, their potential for misuse underscores the importance of responsible use and adherence to safety protocols to prevent harm.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, many cruise ships use a sonic cannon-like device called a Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD) to repel boarders and pirates.
LRAD is a small dish that emits a hellishly loud noise that is deafening but not lethal. It weighs 20 kilograms and is as big as a TV satellite dish.
The closer one is to the sonic cannon, the worse the effect. It can cause major hearing damage if misused. At 150 decibels, it is as loud as standing 30 meters away from a roaring jet engine.
LRADs are non-lethal weapons used to defend ships and their passengers. They were recognized as a potential defense system following the al-Qaida attack on the USS Cole in October 2000, which killed 17 sailors.
