Armed Defense Against Pirates?

[JohnRich 4]

News:

Maersk Alabama repels 2nd pirate attack with guns

Somali pirates attacked the Maersk Alabama on Wednesday for the second time in seven months and were thwarted by private guards on board the U.S.-flagged ship who fired off guns and a high-decibel noise device.

Four suspected pirates in a skiff attacked the ship again on Wednesday around 6:30 a.m. local time, firing on the ship with automatic weapons from about 300 yards (meters) away, a statement from the U.S. Fifth Fleet in Bahrain said. An on-board security team repelled the attack by using evasive maneuvers, small-arms fire and a Long Range Acoustic Device, which can beam earsplitting alarm tones, the fleet said.

Vice Adm. Bill Gortney of the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, said the Maersk Alabama had followed the maritime industry's "best practices" in having a security team on board. "This is a great example of how merchant mariners can take proactive action to prevent being attacked and why we recommend that ships follow industry best practices if they're in high-risk areas," Gortney said in a statement.

However, Roger Middleton, a piracy expert at the London-based think tank Chatham House, said the international maritime community was still "solidly against" armed guards aboard vessels at sea, but that American ships have taken a different line than the rest of the international community. "Shipping companies are still pretty much overwhelmingly opposed to the idea of armed guards," Middleton said. "Lots of private security companies employee people who don't have maritime experience. Also, there's the idea that it's the responsibility of states and navies to provide security. I would think it's a step backward if we start privatizing security of the shipping trade."...

Full story: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091118/ap_on_re_af/piracy

How about you? If you were traveling by ship in pirate-infested waters, would you want armed security aboard to fight-off a pirate attack, or would you rather put your fate in the pirate's hands and hope for the best?

[marks2065 0]

I say sink their boat and let them swim back to shore. water cannon, machine guns, and / or running them over with your ship, they shouldn't be out farther than they can survive or swim.

[SkyDekker 1,465]

I'm a pastafarian, pirates like me.

[downwardspiral 0]

I read the article this morning and was a bit surprised. Why is this the first account I've read about an attempt to defend a ship utlizing lethal weapons against modern day pirates?

www.FourWheelerHB.com

[marks2065 0]

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I read the article this morning and was a bit surprised. Why is this the first account I've read about an attempt to defend a ship utlizing lethal weapons against modern day pirates?

Because to many people think guns are bad and you should be able to talk your way out of the situation.

[SkyDekker 1,465]

with a Long Range Acoustic Device, it sounds (bad pun) like you quite litterally could...

[Andrewwhyte 1]

It seems to me that some sort of shoulder launched surface to surface/sidewinder type device would be effective. In the 17th century pirates were considered to be pure outlaws; killing them on site was sanctioned by most governments. I would have no problem with fighters from the fifth fleet popping by and removing them as they are spotted.

[BillyVance 34]

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I read the article this morning and was a bit surprised. Why is this the first account I've read about an attempt to defend a ship utlizing lethal weapons against modern day pirates?

The shipping companies would rather not let ship crews carry arms for liability reasons and risk of violence. Fuck that. This is the worst pirate-infested water in the world. If it were me sailing through that shit, I'm going as fully armed as I can be. Fuck the pirates. Blow their asses out of the water.

"Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban

[Rick 67]

I bet it is cheaper to pay for a security force than to pay ransom.Seems like a sound business plan to hire a security force.

You can't be drunk all day if you don't start early!

[BillyVance 34]

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I bet it is cheaper to pay for a security force than to pay ransom.Seems like a sound business plan to hire a security force.

Agreed. If all ships had a security force onboard, you wouldn't need the amount of naval forces patrolling the area and costing millions in tax-payer money.

"Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban

[christelsabine 1]

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....
How about you? If you were traveling by ship in pirate-infested waters, would you want armed security aboard to fight-off a pirate attack, or would you rather put your fate in the pirate's hands and hope for the best?

You addressed your question to whom? To the tanker master, his staff, to potential passengers on board?

Who except the a.m. persons would be idiotic enough to enter those pirate contaminated bodies of water??

Yes, I know, there have been several idiots cruising with private yachts, risking thier own lifes But that's not the norm.

So, your question just is a notional one?

Sounds like the typical JR *special level*

dudeist skydiver # 3105

[Andrewwhyte 1]

Since the activity seems to be largely limited to a specific area (NW Indian Ocean) There is probably an opportunity available for a security firm that boards ships as they enter the area and disembarks as they leave. I guess the problem is if they are effective they may work themselves out of business before their start up costs are realised.

[Darius11 12]

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Armed Defense Against Pirates?

We live in a crazy world when that is even a question.

I honestly don't know why all the ships aren’t armed. If I ever travel around the world in a boat you can bet a few guns are coming along. For protection and survival if the shit hits the fan.

I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not." - Kurt Cobain

[kallend 2,027]

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I read the article this morning and was a bit surprised. Why is this the first account I've read about an attempt to defend a ship utlizing lethal weapons against modern day pirates?

Because to many people think guns are bad and you should be able to talk your way out of the situation.

Just supplying the crew with guns does not seem to be what's happening.

AFAICT this is using a professional trained and armed security force. Seems like a good idea to me. I hope it doesn't just end up in an arms race with the pirates getting heavier weapons.

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[mnealtx 0]

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Sounds like the typical JR *special level*

Sounds like a typical Christel *special response*.

Mike
I love you, Shannon and Jim.
POPS 9708 , SCR 14706

[christelsabine 1]

Oh look! The vanguard

dudeist skydiver # 3105

[Ron 10]

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You addressed your question to whom? To the tanker master, his staff, to potential passengers on board?

Who except the a.m. persons would be idiotic enough to enter those pirate contaminated bodies of water??

This has never before stopped you from giving an opinion on matters that will never concern you.

"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

[christelsabine 1]

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....
This has never before stopped you from giving an opinion on matters that will never concern you.

What??

*You* generally or what? That could be applied to you and everybody else posting here, dear Ron. Cya.

dudeist skydiver # 3105

[futuredivot 0]

I'm all for protecting ships with properly trained and equipped crew.

You are only as strong as the prey you devour

[ryoder 1,590]

HELL YES!
50's mounted on deck;
And an AK-47 and a 45ACP issued to every crewman.

"There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones.

[JohnRich 4]

Isn't it interesting how 97% of the voters here say ship crews should be armed against pirates.

And yet, nowhere near that number think it's a good idea for citizens to be armed in their own homes to resist against attacking criminals.

I wonder what makes the difference?

[Amazon 7]

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Isn't it interesting how 97% of the voters here say ship crews should be armed against pirates.

And yet, nowhere near that number think it's a good idea for citizens to be armed in their own homes to resist against attacking criminals.

I wonder what makes the difference?

I think all of us are good with your being armed in your Texas home to protect against pirates.

[Andrewwhyte 1]

Actually having been a professional saeman I would not be in favour of ships crews being armed against pirates. I am in favour of armed security professionals dong that job. My second choice would be an arms locker under the lock and key of the master.

[ryoder 1,590]

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Isn't it interesting how 97% of the voters here say ship crews should be armed against pirates.

And yet, nowhere near that number think it's a good idea for citizens to be armed in their own homes to resist against attacking criminals.

I wonder what makes the difference?

It is easier to buy into the illusion that the police can protect you when you are within the borders of a nation,
than to buy into the illusion the Navy can protect you when you are in international waters.

"There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones.

[thedude325 0]

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Isn't it interesting how 97% of the voters here say ship crews should be armed against pirates.

And yet, nowhere near that number think it's a good idea for citizens to be armed in their own homes to resist against attacking criminals.

I wonder what makes the difference?

They aren't counting on us to deliver containers of cheap merchandise for them...