Something Other than Politics - How About Pirates?

[Jim Gray]

Seriously, I'm fascinated by modern piracy.  Hardly a week goes by that I don't read about another incident off the coast of Africa or in the Straights of Malacca.   I think there were 3 reports off of Somalia last week alone. 

Many of these attacks are on big cargo ships and tankers.  In 2005 a Miami based cruise ship was attacked.  The purpose of the attack is usually kidnapping and ransom, but can also be the theft of the cargo or entire ship.  The pirates usually use small fast boats to ambush the ships.  The weapons of choice are AK-47s and rocket propelled grenades.   An international force (including the US Navy) is patrolling the most dangerous areas, but the number of attacks has increased this year. 

I don't understand how these little boats can effectively attack a big ship.  Wouldn't it be really difficult to get on board, given difference in size?  Given the exposed nature of the small boats the pirates are using, I would think they would be venerable to return fire.....provided merchant and cargo ships/crews are allowed to carry weapons.  I have no idea what the maritime laws are for arming civilian vessels and crews, but I suspect it's discouraged or even prohibited.

Give modern weapons, communication, satellite imagery and surveillance technology, could we be doing more to take on the pirates? 
 

[Frimp]

Maybe they should hire security teams to ward off these pirates. They could be heavily armed, and if their boats come up, they open fire.

[StL FinFan]

Maybe all the big ships should be torpedo equipped. 

[Jim Gray]

Maybe they should hire security teams to ward off these pirates. They could be heavily armed, and if their boats come up, they open fire.

Some ships have security, but it's very expensive for qualified personnel.  The International Maritime Bureau believes having armed mercanaries on-board is more of a risk than a safeguard.  There's also the option of an armed escort, but that expensive and would push shipping costs way up.  I guess in the end, it's cheaper to lose a few ships than to pay the cost of escorting them. 

What about arming the crew, or training the crew to use a deck mounted gun?  Today, one of the most effective weapons they have is a fire hose.  Grenade launchers and AK-47s vs. a firehose.  I'm not thrilled if I'm the one holding the hose.

[bsmooth]

Maybe they should hire security teams to ward off these pirates. They could be heavily armed, and if their boats come up, they open fire.

Many cruise ships have these onboard, people are unaware of them. It is a large cost to incur for a very small chance of happening.

[Sunstroke]

Arm the vessels to the teeth, train the crew how to shoot...and make the scurvy bastards pay if they want to tap your booty.

[Jim Gray]

How about this.

Create an anti-pirate fleet made up of all kinds of vessels from sailboats to yachts to cargo ships.  Each ship would have some defensive reinforcement along with some serious firepower.   Military personnel would man each vessel.  Any attack would be met with deadly force and every attempt would be made to identify and destroy the mother ship involved, perhaps using air gunships.  

How many pirate crews would have to be blown up before everyone else decides the risk isn't worth it?

Practical?  Probably not.
Legal?  I doubt it, but in international waters.....who knows.
Ethical?  I could still sleep at night.

[Jim Gray]

I forgot one.

Fun?  Yeah, I think it would be fun to blow some pirate scum out of the water.

[run_to_win]

How about this.

Create an anti-pirate fleet made up of all kinds of vessels from sailboats to yachts to cargo ships.  Each ship would have some defensive reinforcement along with some serious firepower.   Military personnel would man each vessel.  Any attack would be met with deadly force and every attempt would be made to identify and destroy the mother ship involved, perhaps using air gunships.  

How many pirate crews would have to be blown up before everyone else decides the risk isn't worth it?

Practical?  Probably not.
Legal?  I doubt it, but in international waters.....who knows.
Ethical?  I could still sleep at night.
Fun?  Yeah, I think it would be fun to blow some pirate scum out of the water.

I like it.

When you figure in the cost of building and operating a cruise ship, the cost of a couple of chain guns and trained personal is negligible.

I may not be able to laugh at Tom Brady getting hurt, but knowing that unsuspecting bad guys are getting their asses blown off would make me all warm and fuzzy inside.

[YoFuggedaboutit]

ARRRRRRRRRRRRGH!!!!!  Blast them scurvy dogs!!!!  They wanna take me goods, they'll have to pry them from me cold, dead fingers!!!!!

[Dave Gray]

I say blast them out of the water, to the point where the risk isn't worth it.

[Buddhagirl]

I know it's wrong, but I find the idea of pirates fascinating.

[CF DolFan]

I know it's wrong, but I find the idea of pirates fascinating.

I seriously doubt these pirates look like Johnny Depp Buddha!! 

[StL FinFan]

but wouldn't it be great if they did?

[Buddhagirl]

but wouldn't it be great if they did?

Word!