Alright stop all that crazy political thinking right now. This is a Naval term.

In warfare it was an acceptable tactic to sneak into an enemy harbor and steal ships. This was almost always done at night just before the tide began to run, switch from high to low. The attackers would sneak onto the target ships, overpower the crew, and then cut the anchor ropes, or loosen the anchor chain. The now free ship would run out on the tide as it changed. Once free of the harbor the sails would be set and the prize taken.

As an off shoot of this tactic teams could also cut the anchor ropes and allow the ships to run at will. This would cause some to run aground or founder on sand bars. The ships would be scattered by the running tide and cause disorder in the fleet.

Either way the attacking action was done quickly and with as much stealth as possible.