Comments on: Reconsidering Arming Merchant Ships to Counter Somali Pirates http://www.oldsaltblog.com/2009/11/19/reconsidering-arming-merchant-ships-to-counter-somali-pirates/ A home for lovers of the sea, tellers of tales, for sailors and dreamers Sun, 21 Mar 2010 16:00:19 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Richard Pentreath http://www.oldsaltblog.com/2009/11/19/reconsidering-arming-merchant-ships-to-counter-somali-pirates/comment-page-1/#comment-13731 Richard Pentreath Mon, 18 Jan 2010 06:39:35 +0000 http://www.oldsaltblog.com/?p=7786#comment-13731 I propose that three 50 cal machine guns be carried on each merchant ship. A number of seamen would be be given a short course on how to load, fire and clear blockages. With one mounted on each side and the other at the stern, and firing tracer, no pirate boat would ever dare come near after the first warning burst. The weapons would be locked away under the control of the master at all times when not needed. The cost would be insignificant when compared with a ransom payment, and insurers could surely offer a big discount to vessels so protected. The legal basis? Just do it - and let the faint hearts catch up with the reality afterwards. The pirate problem would quickly disappear altogether. I propose that three 50 cal machine guns be carried on each merchant ship. A number of seamen would be be given a short course on how to load, fire and clear blockages. With one mounted on each side and the other at the stern, and firing tracer, no pirate boat would ever dare come near after the first warning burst. The weapons would be locked away under the control of the master at all times when not needed. The cost would be insignificant when compared with a ransom payment, and insurers could surely offer a big discount to vessels so protected. The legal basis? Just do it – and let the faint hearts catch up with the reality afterwards. The pirate problem would quickly disappear altogether.

]]> By: Rick http://www.oldsaltblog.com/2009/11/19/reconsidering-arming-merchant-ships-to-counter-somali-pirates/comment-page-1/#comment-9926 Rick Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:52:51 +0000 http://www.oldsaltblog.com/?p=7786#comment-9926 I am not necessarily opposed to arming ships but am concerned about some of the possible consequences. I worked for a tanker company who had a couple of ships on charter to the military who were issued a couple of shotguns when the ships were transiting the Straits of Malacca. I recall one captain asking if the guns were "intrinsically safe" as any equipment that could be taken on deck was supposed to be. He later opined that he didn't want to go up against a gang of Malay pirates armed with AKs with only a shotgun. The situation in Somalia is different in that the ships are relatively isolated with help far away. Time will tell what the best strategy is. In the mean time it would be nice if the navies involved stopped their pirate catch release program. A few hundred pirates facing trial and jail time would also be a good deterrent. I am not necessarily opposed to arming ships but am concerned about some of the possible consequences. I worked for a tanker company who had a couple of ships on charter to the military who were issued a couple of shotguns when the ships were transiting the Straits of Malacca. I recall one captain asking if the guns were “intrinsically safe” as any equipment that could be taken on deck was supposed to be. He later opined that he didn’t want to go up against a gang of Malay pirates armed with AKs with only a shotgun.

The situation in Somalia is different in that the ships are relatively isolated with help far away. Time will tell what the best strategy is.

In the mean time it would be nice if the navies involved stopped their pirate catch release program. A few hundred pirates facing trial and jail time would also be a good deterrent.

]]> By: CAPT. D. Peter Boucher, MN (Ret.) http://www.oldsaltblog.com/2009/11/19/reconsidering-arming-merchant-ships-to-counter-somali-pirates/comment-page-1/#comment-9922 CAPT. D. Peter Boucher, MN (Ret.) Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:53:29 +0000 http://www.oldsaltblog.com/?p=7786#comment-9922 From the beginning I have believed in armed response and was critisised for that view. As Master I carried arms on the West African container run and never had any problems with pirates. The word went out we were armed and would respond. Port Authorities were told that if they wanted their cargos to live with that fact. Acceptance was immediate and of course we had the backing of the charterers - ZIM LINE. Some twenty years later it seems finally the idea has caught hold !! Good(armed)Watch. From the beginning I have believed in armed response and was critisised for that view. As Master I carried arms on the West African container run and never had any problems with pirates. The word went out we were armed and would respond. Port Authorities were told that if they wanted their cargos to live with that fact. Acceptance was immediate and of course we had the backing of the charterers – ZIM LINE. Some twenty years later it seems finally the idea has caught hold !!
Good(armed)Watch.

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