High Seas Piracy

[ed8020]

So what are your thoughts on the situation?

 

Should America do more to secure the shipping lanes?

I believe we should, though keep it in international waters if possible.

Though I think it really should be an international effort.

I mean it's not like we are asking them to invade and occupy another country.

Simply keep the shipping lanes safe for ALL to use.

 

And why the hell are these ships traveling through known piracy zones UNARMED?

Fire hoses are not enough.

When you are up against people with AK47s and RPGs, why even consider "non lethal" as an option?

If this recent American ship had had weapons on board the captain wouid not be a hostage right now.

A small boat comes along side with idiots shooting at you.

100 rounds from ANY assault rifle and that small boat will never see port again.

And neither will the hoodlums. Unless they are REALLY good swimmers.

 

As for the situation at hand, I believe that as a last resort they should swamp the life boat with divers ready at the rail to retrieve the hostage. Screw the pirates. Let them drown.

I think the French have taken the right approach (am I allowed to say that as an American?), though it's sad a hostage died.

Paying these ransoms has only encouraged them.

[PureSnipe]

I too am dumbfounded that there wasn't even a single armed person on board the ship. I'm not too sure of costs, but could there be one or two armed and trained personel on board, and the members of the ship at least know how to shoot.

[ed8020]

In the scenario I describe, you almost don't even need to teach them how to shoot, just WHEN.

[PureSnipe]

Oh, I've seen one too many people who hit everything but what they were trying to hit.

[bben46]

Many countries will not allow a civilian ship with any kind of armament to dock in their ports. It is against their law for a civilian to have a gun for any reason. They might hurt somebody. Another example of the zero tolerance mentality - We can't make an exception, even if the guns are locked in an arms locker when in port. That would set some kind of evil precedent and make piracy more difficult.

 

You have seen how taking hostages cripples the response of the Navy. They can't shoot without risk of harming hostages. So the pirates must be stopped before they take the ship and have the crew as hostages. Then there is the press. in their zeal to get the story, they protect the criminals (pirates) by broadcasting to everyone what the authorities are going to do without thinking that the criminals watch CNN.

 

In Indonesia, (another pirate infested region) there are armed groups of mercenaries who have contracted to meet with ships entering the danger area and guard them, either with armed men on board, or a small fast armed boat alongside. (The boats look a lot like our Vietnam era Riverine boats) They have the permission of the local government who cannot control the piracy there (of course, the bribes paid by the shipping companies had nothing to do with that permission).

 

The UN is afraid that the mercenaries used in this way will turn pirate also and do not approve. However, if the pirates do not know which ships are carrying armed guards until they attempt to board, it should cut the incidence of piracy down by quite a bit. As soon as one of these pirates manages to get shot by a mercenary guard, they will scream to the UN that they were not pirates, but innocent fishermen who just happened to be following the ship and armed with full automatic weapons (machine guns) & RPGs. So the merchant ship crew is at fault for trying to defend themselves. We can't have the poor pirates getting hurt in the pursuit of their unlawful activities.

[dezdimona]

give all the sailors guns...

[del1diablo]

Removing piracy? Simple: Remove the thing that caused piracy.

 

Where there is poverty there is theft, where there is no education there is poverty, etc.

[bben46]

@del_diablo Wonderful idea, we will just have to pass a law banning greed. The pirates are not giving any of their stolen cash to the poor, they are using it to enrich themselves. The latest ship they hijacked was carrying donated food to a poor country. They have no interest in who the cargo is destined for or what it is to be used for (in this case to feed the poor). Their only interest is how much they can get out of the ship owner to get it back. So, not only are they stealing from the wealthy ship owners, but from the starving people that are now going to get the food due to the brave actions of the crew of the ship.

[del1diablo]

So what? They also need food. And why would they give up their hard work while their on it?

Lets face it, there will be other pirates. What to do with the current pirates is a completely differnt matter.

[dezdimona]

So what? They also need food. And why would they give up their hard work while their on it?

Lets face it, there will be other pirates. What to do with the current pirates is a completely differnt matter.

pirates are criminals thats the matter.you had a great idea unfortunately the only people they help are themselves. their governet receives bribes from the pirates so the can operate with inpunity.First you need a honest government ,then you educate and help the people. Somalia has been a thorn in the words side for decades.its onlt recently that it beens brought into the lime light!