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| Posted By: David Dedrick Posted On: Jul 24, 2009 Views: 6778 | re: armed crews on merchant vessels Did anyone notice that following the MLL Alabama incident, the pirates "threatened" to attack more US vessels, and same has not occurred? Much "bluster," however, not much "followup." Israeli vessels (particularly Zim ones) almost never get attacked, due to armed crews. Due to legal differences, this author is of opinion that trained security crews should be utilized for most vessels. Must remember the motto of the US populace during the Barbary Pirate Incidents of the late 1700's/early 1800's, which was "millions for defense, but not a cent for tribute (read ransoms)." |
| Posted By: VVSCS RAO Posted On: Jul 10, 2009 Views: 6900 | Fight in right way againest pirates I would like to take this opportunity for not only giving my opinion in this regard I also invite the ship owners in this regard who required to over come of this repeated pirates attacks.at the first must say about me for the bosses who get a chance to read this, I am an Ex-Indian Navel person. The Indian Navy is named for its crew performance in protection and dedicated employees. The most of the employees wish to come out after the completion of their initial agreement for the sake of more pay & perks. as I am ready for take position in this regards there are so many of my job mates who are perfect to perform this role. Any one who is interested in forming a new project for creating the requirement of employment are most welcome. At present I am in India at the fallowing address. VVSCS RAO, 50-117-1,North Extension, Seethammadara Visakhapatnam, 530013,India. Phone: 9666543931 Email: vvschndrsekhar@yahoo.com Nationality: India . Thank you for reading this |
| Posted By: Michael D. Ryan Posted On: Jun 25, 2009 Views: 7190 | Armed Mariners Without a doubt mariners should be trained and armed. The pirate threat has been real for many years. Ask any Master who sailed St.of Malaca. Vessels were defending themselves in the late 80's, 90's and to this day. Upon departing Singapore we used to display the weapons in front of the pilot to give advance rumors that our vessel was armed. That being said, we were never actacked or provoked. Pirates react diferrently when the vessel is firing back. Sailing by Buffalo Rock at sunrise a suspicious craft approached the vessel at a right relative angle. I had the M - 14 trained on the craft. After blowing the danger signal and once he saw the weapon he altered course. |
| Posted By: Jake S. Posted On: Jun 17, 2009 Views: 7383 | Fell free to defend yourselves As a former U.S. Sixth Fleet Force Protection Officer for the non combatant fleet. I was responsible for coordinating US Marine Corps Security Forces embarkations for ships carrying U.S. war materials transiting through the straits of Gibraltar (Operation Enduring Freedom). The U.S. Navys Military Sealift Command (MSC) The largest type commander in the inventory of 283 Navy government ships during this period couldnt and would not direct commercial ships to be armed with gun mounts (e.g. M2HB.50 Caliber Browning machine guns). It was perceived at that time al Qaida could develop a maritime threat securely operating in Morocco, Port Said or Red Sea in vicinity of Yemen. In addition, as an experienced deck officer, I am acutely aware its a concern arming a mariner solely based on long durations of sea transits and alert watch/day worker requirements. Experienced professionals that can gauge distances accurately and, and who possess the restraint to know when the Master or mate on watch has authorized and egagment or withhold lethal and accurate fire. I also believe there should be an escalation of force (principally non- lethal) to mitigate boarding and develop tactics train and equip all crew members and provided those non lethal tactics techniques and procedures. This can be accomplished using some old world low tech solutions. To include: Suspend concertina wire around potential boarding ports/hull appurtenance Suspend 12 x 3 thick oaken planks on heavy chains- thereby preempting boarding by small boat 9 they will get beaten sorely if attempted) Flake out fire hoses- to repel boarders External Sound systems intensification using pre recorded warnings announcement in local languages. Heavy Smoke screen generators used to cloak the vessel and increase speed Rapid zigzagging maneuvers washing over the rudder while increasing speed The problem is industry requires the leadership to take the sea back- Governments need to step up and form anti piracy patrols/interdiction operation and commence boarding search seizure of all traffic suspected of pirate activities, until such duration as required. |
| Posted By: paul stan Posted On: Jun 17, 2009 Views: 7073 | defence against pirates I note that most of the arguments against arming mechant ships seems to be coming insurance agents, corporate lawyers, ceo's and in general folks who'll never have to face a threat in their professions greater than a parking ticket at their gym or poor sevice in a resturant. How is it that we find ourselves under the control of such lame leadership? Don't we screen for courage anymore? |
| Posted By: Perry Adams Posted On: Jun 17, 2009 Views: 6833 | Ships protect themselves The United States Maritime Administration should take steps to train and arm our ships to reduce the chances of Pirates attacking. During World War II Merchant Seamen assisted Navy Armed Guards to protect their ships from attack by enemy aircraft and surface craft. In fact several Merchant Mariners were awarded Medals and citations for their firing of the ships anti aircraft guns. Many Mariners have had plenty of experience with hunting guns. Training officers and key crew members in the use of high powered automatic guns would not take all that much time and expense. The guns would be locked up in storage lockers under the control of the Master and only brought out in time of attack by pirates. Some have suggested it takes months to train gun crews. How much training have our modern day criminals received that we read about in the daily papers who moe down civilians on our city streets. When a high speed motor launch approaches a ship, a few rounds of gun fire over the pirates heads will most likely turn them away. If that doesn't work the next round would either kill them, wound them and most likely sink their boat. After one or two such attqcks, the pirates would quickly learn to leave U.S. ships alone. Barbed wire could be placed along the railings around the ship that would at least slow down pirates attempts to board a ship. But the real answer is to NEVER allow them to board the ship in the first place. Placing Armed Guards aboard ship would be a waste of money and manpower. The gun training of the Deck Officers and key deck crew would be the proper answer. |
| Posted By: Bob Condon Posted On: Jun 16, 2009 Views: 6623 | Armed Merchant Ships An armed detachment of US Marines who will board US Registered / Crewed Merchant Vessels for the duration of transiting pirate infested waters would be effective. One addition I would recommend is to have a AC-130 gun ship on patrol, available in the local geography to support the Marines who will have direct communciations with the aircraft. Day or night the AC-130 could be called upon whenever the Marines consider an attack emminent. A moving 2000 yard protection zone should be declared around the merchant vessel. This should be announced through the media and all available means. If threatened the AC-130 can be called in and using it's fire control system it can virtually evaporate the threat. This only need be done a few times and the pirates will understand Vessels flying the American Flag, day or night, are not easy pickings. |
| Posted By: Art Lee Posted On: May 27, 2009 Views: 7267 | arming merchant vessels In my opinion it would be much more dangerous to arm merchant vessels than to have them unarmed. Arming them would only lead to violence and potential accidents. I realize that someone pointing a gun at you is a violent situation. However, unless the crew carried their guns with them at all times, and stayed awake 24/7, and were alert, and were excellent marksmen, and never made mistakes it would be silly. At this point few if any people have been hurt by the modern day pirates. They want money, not to hurt people. Arming crewmembers would lead to the increased chance of people getting hurt, not only during a hostage incident, but at any other time in an accident. |
| Posted By: Capt. Brendan J. Lally Posted On: May 27, 2009 Views: 7103 | Protect Merchant Ships Sailors have enough to do already. Put Security Teams on the vessels. Make them answerable and working under the direction of the Master. The downside is uncontrolled violence involving innocent parties so controls need to be in place. AS a last resort, demand that the the pirates show their TWICs. |
| Posted By: DeputyDog Posted On: May 27, 2009 Views: 6709 | Armed Ships Of course they ought to hire professional secirity teams. You would be suprised how many are actually out there doing this very same task for corporations. Waterdogs have been very effective in keeping private ships safe since before the Civil War. |
| Posted By: Mike k Posted On: May 27, 2009 Views: 6656 | arm merchant ships How hard and how expensive would it be to turn the bridge and engine access into a hardened "panic" room? There are two things that give power to the pirates: navigational control of the ship and its power plant; and control of the crew. I am probably naive, but with today's technology it would seem a hidden / remote panic room to address the above would seem feasible and would allow the crew to maintain control of the ship until help came. |
| Posted By: Kapena Posted On: May 27, 2009 Views: 6591 | Onboard Security Shipowners should have an option. Hire readily available security teams from a government entity, or utilize their own crew. Those shipowners who have steady crew that are trained to handle arms woldn't need to hire anyone. Those without trained crews would obviously want to hire a security team. I've worked for a shipowner that had several ships under MSC contract and the crews were all trained for small arms use. This isn't as odd as many are lead to believe. |
| Posted By: To arms Posted On: May 27, 2009 Views: 6503 | Protecting our mariners It only makes sense that we should put an armed security detail onboard our ships when they are passing through pirate hot spots. We have an obligation to protect our crews and cargo. How can we recruit new mariners when we aren't protecting the ones we have now? No one wants to work onboard a ship if they are not oging to be safe. |
| Posted By: Geldart Posted On: May 27, 2009 Views: 6496 | Piracy Convoys have been used throughout maritime history for protection of merchant vessels. Why not now? It would appear there are sufficient military vessels in the region to escort multiple convoys. Yee, it might be an incovenience to some ship operators but surely worth it for the added security and safety of lives. |
| Posted By: wegman Posted On: May 27, 2009 Views: 5704 | armed merchant vessels It is my view that it is the responsibility of the vessel placing themselves in any situation to be adequately prepared for that situation. A highly valuable cargo vessel traversing pirate infested waters has a responsibility to a)deliver their cargo, b)operate in a safe fashion regarding their crew and cargo and c)take whatever measures are needed to achieve a and b. That clearly calls for well armed and well trained crew to be onboard every vessel in such waters. I'm amazed that such procedures are not already in place. |
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