Article

2011-10-30 Britain

Armed guards to protect British ships from pirates

British ships are to be allowed to carry armed guards to protect them from pirates, David Cameron has announced.

A legal ban on weapon-toting protection staff will be relaxed so that firms can apply for a licence to have them on board in danger zones.
Doesn't help if the port the ship is sailing to doesn't allow the ship to be armed.
The Prime Minister said radical action was required because the increasing ability of sea-borne Somali criminals to hijack and ransom ships had become "a complete stain on our world".

He unveiled the measure after talks at a Commonwealth summit in Australia with leaders of countries in the Horn of Africa over the escalating problem faced in waters off their shores.

Under the plans, the Home Secretary will be given the power to license vessels to carry armed security, including automatic weapons, currently prohibited under firearms laws.

Officials said around 200 were expected to be in line to take up the offer, which would only apply for voyages through particular waters in the affected region. It is expected to be used by commercial firms rather than private sailors - such as hostage victims Paul and Rachel Chandler.

Posted by tipper 2011-10-30 14:20|| || Front Page|| [11133 views ] Top

#1 A M134 on both port and starboard sides would be nice.

Additional units on the bow and stern would be even nicer.

Posted by Mullah Richard 2011-10-30 14:47|| 2011-10-30 14:47|| Front Page Top

#2 Private Marines. That would seem a good job for disabled veterans.

Posted by Anonymoose 2011-10-30 15:47|| 2011-10-30 15:47|| Front Page Top

#3 Doesn't help if the port the ship is sailing to doesn't allow the ship to be armed.

OK, there are a lot of ports world wide not operating at capacity due to the economy; with several such diversions, those ' no-arms- allowed' ports might start rethinking their stategy ( of course that logic won't work in the PAC NW, loonie bin central regarding commerce)

Posted by USN, Ret. 2011-10-30 20:00|| 2011-10-30 20:00|| Front Page Top

#4 When I took a Holland America cruise, there were different rates for upper decks and lower decks, cabins with balconies or whatever they're called on ships, and whether you even had a porthole.
So how much does this cost, does it include food, and what kind of accomodations are there? Is there an open bar? Is there a discount for bringing your own weapon?
What does it take to get on the waiting list? Do various companies make this a prize for, say, sales performance?

Posted by Richard Aubrey 2011-10-30 20:02|| 2011-10-30 20:02|| Front Page Top

#5 How long until that hoax about the pirate-hunting cruise comes true?

Posted by trailing wife 2011-10-30 20:26|| 2011-10-30 20:26|| Front Page Top

#6 Hoax? What hoax? Does it make sense to actually pay armed guards? It would be like paying golfers to go around Pebble Beach.

Posted by Richard Aubrey 2011-10-30 21:43|| 2011-10-30 21:43|| Front Page Top

#7 I get it now. It's the security companies. They want the business.
Boy, I call that greedy.

Posted by Richard Aubrey 2011-10-30 21:44|| 2011-10-30 21:44|| Front Page Top

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