Piracy threat growing

[angus63]

Pirates kidnap Chouest captain and chief engineer - Marine Log

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/10/24/us-nigeria-piracy-idUSBRE99N0GT20131024


There were two attempted boardings reported by vessels in the last month with Midshipmen on board as well. Plans are underway for organized convoys to diminish the threat. My thoughts are with the kidnapped crew for their safe return.

 

[ehenry]

Re: Piracy threat growing

Can the crews of these vessels that travel in known pirate waters not be trained and armed so they can defend themselves and their ship against such things? At the very least hire a security company to have people on the boat.

 

[Volphin]

Re: Piracy threat growing

Fight fire with fire. Ships should be armed with security teams.

 

[WIMUSKY]

Re: Piracy threat growing

Fight fire with fire. Ships should be armed with security teams.

That was my first thought. If they start blasting these little pirate boats out of the water I bet attitudes would change in a hurry......

 

[angus63]

Re: Piracy threat growing

A nationally flagged commercial vessel that is armed is a warship and not free to visit foreign ports to conduct trade. It's a sticky situation. Could you imagine if heavily armed Liberian ships were free to enter US ports? Remember too that merchant mariners are civilians and simply operate the vessels. Arming mariners would be the equivalent of arming school custodians and bus drivers to protect schools in a different nation every week. There is no simple answer. The only current solution is to convoy vessels and provide escort, but it's a big world out there.

 

[82rude]

Re: Piracy threat growing

angus63, why cant we equip heavily armed ships that look like merchant vessels like they use to do during the 2 big wars (ww1,2) q ships I believe.your not calling at any port but your trying to sucker in these losers then blow them out of the water with zero mercy period.

 

[dwco5051]

Re: Piracy threat growing

Angus is spot on in his analysis. Though the US Navy's first responsibility is to keep the sea lanes open for commerce it is not as easy as just sending a few ships to the area. Areas off shore from governments with no central government, engaged in civil strife, or unfriendly to the free world presents problems. Piracy in the straits of Malacca was not reduced until local governments starting getting tough. Unless the presence of pirates affect the locals in a manner that causes them pain it will not stop.

As anyone who owns a computer knows Nigeria is not known for cracking down on illegal activities. As opposed to Somalia Nigerian pirates are more often stealing cargo than going for ransom.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Piracy threat growing

Fight fire with fire. Ships should be armed with security teams.

They've been doing this, but mainly with ships that sail close to Somalian waters. The new attack was near Nigerian waters and the threat there is relatively new.

If this piracy trend continues I'm sure steps will be taken to protect the crews, ships, and cargo of lines sailing near these waters too.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Piracy threat growing

Fight fire with fire. Ships should be armed with security teams.

… actually, I lean toward the idea of "hired thugs." Contract some hunters and make a pain point. The odd "trojan ship" might be kinda' interesting too.

I understand the dilemma as Angus points out. It'll probably require some creative thinking … and some "C.O. Jones."

 

[82rude]

Re: Piracy threat growing

many many years ago there we tons of pirates in the Caribbean and areas,britian just decided time was up and in a relatively short time piracy was almost totally eradicated.the u.s.a did the same with the Barbary pirates I believe.time to put away the kid gloves and get back to basics.i have a solution but unfortunately it would be deemed cruel and most likely inhumane .it involves quick trials and hanging from the yardarm in full view of their home ports.

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: Piracy threat growing

IMO, it really shouldn't be our governments/military's responsibility to protect merchant ships. These companies know the risk of sailing in these waters. Many American crews are hired to operate foreign cargo ships all around the world. These Americans know the risk as well and have made there own decision to take that risk.

There are many ways of protecting ships and personnel outside of firearms, but the majority of companies out there don't want to spend the funds required to get the right equipment. Think maybe we need to do less trading oversees and keep the jobs back here at home, but that's a whole nother story.

Keep in mind, when we send military ships to the region to protect the water ways, we are putting out military ships and men and women at a higher risk as well. Is it worth it?

 

[hungupthespikes]

Re: Piracy threat growing

We have the ships, just not the permission to deploy in foreign waters.

The Navy's New Deadly Trimaran

I'm with cristcraft254:
"Think maybe we need to do less trading oversees and keep the jobs back here at home, but that's a whole nother story."

 

[angus63]

Re: Piracy threat growing

Pirate repellant

Britney Spears Songs Being Used to Scare Away Somali Pirates | TIME.com

I suspect there are more effective methods.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Piracy threat growing

Pirate repellant

Britney Spears Songs Being Used to Scare Away Somali Pirates | TIME.com

I suspect there are more effective methods.

I don't know … that's a pretty good way to keep some people away. (Saw that yesterday too.)

 

[angus63]

Re: Piracy threat growing

Great news

C-Retriever two released by pirates - Marine Log