diff --git a/src/kernel/equipment.c b/src/kernel/equipment.c
index c5070b3a9..11fe594f5 100644
--- a/src/kernel/equipment.c
+++ b/src/kernel/equipment.c
@@ -38,37 +38,6 @@ OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OR PERFORMANCE OF THIS SOFTWARE.
 #include <string.h>
 #include <stdlib.h>
 
-static critbit_tree cb_equipments = { 0 };
-
-equipment *get_equipment(const char *eqname)
-{
-    const char *match;
-    equipment *eq = NULL;
-
-    match = cb_find_str(&cb_equipments, eqname);
-    if (match) {
-        cb_get_kv(match, &eq, sizeof(eq));
-    }
-    return eq;
-}
-
-equipment *get_or_create_equipment(const char *eqname)
-{
-    equipment *eq = get_equipment(eqname);
-    if (!eq) {
-        size_t len;
-        char data[64];
-
-        eq = (equipment *)calloc(1, sizeof(equipment));
-        eq->name = strdup(eqname);
-
-        len = cb_new_kv(eqname, strlen(eqname), &eq, sizeof(eq), data);
-        assert(len <= sizeof(data));
-        cb_insert(&cb_equipments, data, len);
-    }
-    return eq;
-}
-
 void equipment_setskill(equipment * eq, skill_t sk, const char *value)
 {
     if (eq != NULL) {
@@ -231,6 +200,37 @@ void free_ls(void *arg) {
     free(ls);
 }
 
+static critbit_tree cb_equipments = { 0 };
+
+equipment *get_equipment(const char *eqname)
+{
+    const char *match;
+    equipment *eq = NULL;
+
+    match = cb_find_str(&cb_equipments, eqname);
+    if (match) {
+        cb_get_kv(match, &eq, sizeof(eq));
+    }
+    return eq;
+}
+
+equipment *get_or_create_equipment(const char *eqname)
+{
+    equipment *eq = get_equipment(eqname);
+    if (!eq) {
+        size_t len;
+        char data[64];
+
+        eq = (equipment *)calloc(1, sizeof(equipment));
+        eq->name = strdup(eqname);
+
+        len = cb_new_kv(eqname, strlen(eqname), &eq, sizeof(eq), data);
+        assert(len <= sizeof(data));
+        cb_insert(&cb_equipments, data, len);
+    }
+    return eq;
+}
+
 static void free_equipment(equipment *eq) {
     int i;
     free(eq->name);
diff --git a/src/monsters.c b/src/monsters.c
index 57b557999..ddc30ca4d 100644
--- a/src/monsters.c
+++ b/src/monsters.c
@@ -49,6 +49,7 @@
 #include <kernel/pool.h>
 #include <kernel/race.h>
 #include <kernel/region.h>
+#include <kernel/ship.h>
 #include <kernel/terrain.h>
 #include <kernel/terrainid.h>
 #include <kernel/unit.h>
@@ -191,6 +192,7 @@ void monsters_desert(struct faction *monsters)
 
 int monster_attacks(unit * monster, bool rich_only)
 {
+    const race *rc_serpent = get_race(RC_SEASERPENT);
     if (monster->status < ST_AVOID) {
         region *r = monster->region;
         unit *u2;
@@ -199,6 +201,12 @@ int monster_attacks(unit * monster, bool rich_only)
         for (u2 = r->units; u2; u2 = u2->next) {
             if (u2->faction != monster->faction && cansee(monster->faction, r, u2, 0) && !in_safe_building(u2, monster)) {
                 int m = get_money(u2);
+                if (u_race(monster) == rc_serpent) {
+                    /* attack bigger ships only */
+                    if (!u2->ship || u2->ship->type->cargo <= 50000) {
+                        continue;
+                    }
+                }
                 if (!rich_only || m > 0) {
                     order *ord = monster_attack(monster, u2);
                     if (ord) {