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| Africa Horn |
| Petraeus suggests armed guards for cargo ships |
| 2009-04-24 |
| WASHINGTON — The top U.S. military officer in charge of the African coastline plagued by pirates says shipping companies should take a hard look at hiring armed guards to protect their ships. Gen. David Petraeus said Friday that the U.S. military already has used armed guards aboard some commercial ships that carry military cargo. He said cargo ships can’t really protect themselves with fire hoses when the pirates have rocket-propelled grenades. Testifying Friday in Congress, Petraeus said that shipping companies have regarded piracy as a business problem for too long. He said now that pirates have become bolder and the costs of their attacks are higher, it’s time for the shippers to consider measures they have resisted until now. |
| Posted by:tu3031 |
| #13 Don't think of New York harbor; think of the smaller port of Lower Grubovia Or Myannmar. Or Venzuela. Or Indonesia. Or China. Or any number of West African countries. Thing is, it would be legal to do so. |
| Posted by: Pappy 2009-04-24 23:39 |
| #12 Don't think of New York harbor; think of the smaller port of Lower Grubovia, where the navy is off visiting a sick aunt this week. A small armed merchant ship comes in. Are they bringing cargo or is this their week for being pirates themselves? |
| Posted by: James 2009-04-24 21:18 |
| #11 To paraphrase what someone said sometime, artillery shells don't leave any holes in the water. I agree with the sink them, sink the mother ship, don't say anything, deny deny deny if anyone complains. Especially when the ships are 300+ miles out to sea - the Somalis are NOT "protecting their fishing waters". |
| Posted by: Rambler in Virginia 2009-04-24 20:49 |
| #10 Or to be ignored. What pirates? We didn't see any pirates . . . . |
| Posted by: gorb 2009-04-24 19:42 |
| #9 I wonder, do insurance companies pay the ransom? betcha they don't. You lose. |
| Posted by: Pappy 2009-04-24 18:13 |
| #8 I wonder, do insurance companies pay the ransom? betcha they don't. A few lawsuits for "Loss in Transit', seem in order. It seems to me far cheaper to have a "deck gun" than a multi-million ransom payment. Sink the boarders, no witnesses, then no lawsuits. If the pirates file a lawsuit, arest the filers on the spot. (Accessory before and after the fact) Kill this "Lawfare" shit fast. I would think the very visible presence of (Say) a 5 inch gun would stop pirates in their tracks, go after easier prey. |
| Posted by: Redneck Jim 2009-04-24 16:08 |
| #7 Redneck Jim, the LOS Convention does not prohibit armed commercial vessels. Ports states and insurance companies, however, might object. |
| Posted by: CaitlynA 2009-04-24 15:01 |
| #6 I'd opt for #1. The problem with #2 is that it tends to run into problems with other nations, who for various and quite legitimate reasons, might have a problem with an 'armed merchant' entering their ports or territorial waters. And before you go knee-jerk with a response, think. Not all places have piracy problems. |
| Posted by: Pappy 2009-04-24 14:30 |
| #5 I'll take Door #2, RJ. |
| Posted by: Barbara Skolaut 2009-04-24 14:10 |
| #4 The whole problem is that "Civillian" ships cannot be armed legaly. Only warships. Seems the "Law of the Sea" badly needs a rewrite. Or to be ignored. |
| Posted by: Redneck Jim 2009-04-24 13:44 |
| #3 It's long past the time the owners took responsibility for their ships and armed them. They have been taking a free ride for too long. The consequences have gone from annoying to dangerous. |
| Posted by: tipover 2009-04-24 12:49 |
| #2 But they're just children! |
| Posted by: Nancy Pelosi, dba Bobby 2009-04-24 12:48 |
| #1 It is long past time to hang the pirates. |
| Posted by: DarthVader 2009-04-24 11:29 |