So here is my question... Most of the pirates come on small go fast boats... and they take over massive freighters... why dont these commercial ships arm themselves? A few shotguns, and ar-15's should be more than plenty to "deter" the threats. Worse case... hire security contractors, such as the trigger happy folks at blackwater.... or even send the crew to a defensive security course.

 

Really, in open water, why not go full auto AK's, .

 

Right now to the pirates... this is like trying to mug someone in Newark or Camden, where no law abiding citizen can protect themselves.

 

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/04/14/somalia.pirates/index.html

I thought that international law prevents shipping vessels from being armed, based on the idea that people don't want armed citizens of another country hanging around their docks. It's too close to an invading force.

 

Second, there's a worry of escalation. If the crew carries rifles or cannons, the pirates can get RPGs. "If we can have your goods, we'll sink you"

But all of the african countries around want more military presence there... that is the thing. The only report I have seen was that companies do not want weapons on board as people are untrained in them. What can happen is an AK round penetrating and doing some damage.

It is time to arm the shipping lanes so they can protect themselve's. it will be the only way to deal with this situation because their is no governing authority in samolia. The last thing we need to do is get involved with samolia in a military force and trying to get a goverment going, we have our hands full with iraq trying to do that.

Blackwater offered to patrol the area, even to escort ships. Since they are non-government, there was nothing stopping them, but none of the shipping companies took them up on it. I think they had a couple decent helicopter gunships and boats to keep them on.

 

That's the one that blew my mind. I'd have thought they'd have a line out the door.

I ask myself the same question. As someone trained in shipboard security, you could easily repel borders with 6 properly armed guards when a couple of speed boats try to board you. Just give me an M14 and Ma Duece. :mrgreen:

 

Maybe it has something to do with the Port Countries laws.

Doing a little quick Google work, ships are allowed to carry weapons legal in the country they are registered in, the country they are going to, and the country they are coming from. Often, that means only a shotgun loaded with birdshot is legal.

 

Not bad for defending a bed room at night. I'm not sure I'd choose it for defending a naval vessel.....

You could always use the water cannons hooked up to the hot water boiler.

You could always use the water cannons hooked up to the hot water boiler.

 

Now you're talking!

A few problems. Armed crew increases insurance greatly. Modern ships do not have a large crew to start with and adding more costs. My friend up here spent most of his life as the Chief or ST. Engineer on these large ships. He wasn't impressed with many crew members.

 

Everyone wants patrols. You are talking about over 1.1 million square miles of open ocean. I don't think a few ships are going to cut it. Our Navy is stretched so thin that beyond a few ships, we aren't taking up the cause. And the fact the pirates use small fast boats make a large warship too slow to do anything beyond respond to the incident unless lucky enough to be right on top of it.

Need to put some P-3 Orions or E-2 Hawkeyse up there to find the mother ship and then call in armed Seahawks or fighters and take them out.

Cant the navy and/or marines use choppers for a fast response?

 

I would think in todays environment, if your ship sailing plans include that general area... your insurance rates go up, having a few guys from blackwater, who are trained, or have their own insurance.... would make it a bit safer.

 

Maybe not a few months back when it was a ship a week, but now these guys are capturing 3 to 4 ships a day and look like hero's to their people.

 

Whats frightening is how they captured the Ukranian cargo ship full of tanks and weapons!

 

At least use a water cannon attached to a hot boiler. hehe.

From what I understnad it's an insurance issue, more than a Local Legality issue. IIRC as long as the arms remain on board the ship, even in port they are no business of the place the ship it tied up to. As always it comes down to money, it's cheaper for the shipping companies to keep the strict "No Firearms" policy and pay out to Pirates a couple of times a decade (in the past) then take the cahnce that they might get sued or get a judgement agains them for a lot more if someone screws up. Sort of like the Convenience Store chains policy that employees cannot be armed, or Bank Policies of not calling Police or allowing alarms to be tripped until several minutes AFTER a robber leaves. Corporate/Attorney idiocy at it's finest.

So here is a twist. Italian cruise ship hires Israeili defense contractors.

 

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/piracy

So here is a twist. Italian cruise ship hires Israeili defense contractors.

 

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/piracy

 

yes and about time, those p***y's ran from pistol fire that just proves they will only board unarmed vessels. i applaud the co, that went ahead and took action..