Solution to the Pirate problem?

rhtufts said:
How does a Pirate get onto a cargo ship? Aren't they usually pretty tall? Seems like any pirate trying to board a modern cargo ship would be pretty vulnerable.

A few shotguns under captains lock and key could go a long way to discouraging pirates. Make it known... anyone boarding a U.S. ship risks a 12 gauge to the face as the climb up.

.02
Russell
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They use grappling hooks.

Arming the crew creates all sorts of complications. For one thing, the crew aren't gunmen, and they didn't sign on as gunmen. Making "gunman" part of their job description is a whole other paycheck, and a whole other insurance premium.

Then there's the issues related to all the different ports a ship might put into. Each one will have different regulations about firearms within its jurisdiction. So that would have to be sorted out.

There's other issues as well. I'm not saying arming the crews can't or shouldn't be done. It's just a very complicated issue with a lot of pros and cons to consider.
 
Since some pirates have now announced their intent to kill American and French crews, I think it wouldn't be such a bad idea to keep some weapons on board. Hiring a few armed security guards doesn't seem like it'd be too difficult either. Keep the weapons in a safe under the captain's control until they are out of port.

Another idea I've heard is to enable the crew to seal off the bridge and engineering sections of the ship. Although, it is probably easier to bullet-proof than RPG-proof something, which is why I think keeping them off the ship in the first place is a better approach.
 
theprestige said:
They use grappling hooks.

Arming the crew creates all sorts of complications. For one thing, the crew aren't gunmen, and they didn't sign on as gunmen. Making "gunman" part of their job description is a whole other paycheck, and a whole other insurance premium.

(snip)
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I doubt the entire contingent of pirates grapples and climbs as a whole. Some probably remain behind on the speed boat with automatic weapons aimed up to the decks, ready to fire at anyone who moves into sight.
 
shuize said:
Since some pirates have now announced their intent to kill American and French crews, I think it wouldn't be such a bad idea to keep some weapons on board.
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I don't think that will happen. It's most likely just grandstanding. For starters, they lose any leverage of any sort once the hostages are dead. And I'm sure the pirates are well aware of the s***storm that would result if they just started massacring ships' crews.
 
luchog said:
I don't think that will happen. It's most likely just grandstanding. For starters, they lose any leverage of any sort once the hostages are dead. And I'm sure the pirates are well aware of the s***storm that would result if they just started massacring ships' crews.
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You may be right.

But if I were a captain out in the Gulf of Aden, I think I'd take their threats to kill me and my crew seriously.
 
plumjam said:
Why not send all cargo past the Somali coast in submarines?
What are all the World's military submarines doing at the moment? Bugger all. That's what.
Just wandering about the sea, sometimes coming up to the surface for a bit and then going back down again.
Should make themselves useful for once
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I don't think containers fit on submarines to well.
 
arthwollipot said:
I think that the OP is a more practical solution to the problem than simply shooting them in the face.
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You're really hung up on the possibility of the poor, poor pirates getting shot in the face, aren't you? I mean, this is about the third time you've quoted that line from me.

But if it makes you feel any better, I'll let you in on a little secret as to how they can avoid such a loss of face*: Don't attack into the muzzle of a shotgun.



* Funny.
 
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:D That argument I now reserve for the other thread. I've pretty much said all I wanted to say anyway.

The OP is fairly sound, in my opinion. There are some logistical problems with it though, which would be a challenge to overcome.

Now, who's volunteering to take this to the UN?
 
UPDATE -- Breaking News

Israeli Security Personnel hired to protect an Italian Cruise Liner have repelled an attempted act of piracy.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1081183.html
Domenico Pellegrino, head of the Italian cruise line, said they hired the
Israelis because they were the best trained security agents.

Ship Cmdr. Pinto said:" "It felt like we were in war"

Yep, and the Israelis won.
 
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