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10 responses so far ↓

• 1 Capt. Mike // Jul 24, 2007 at 9:50 am

  I think they have the potential to do more harm than good… even if locked in the safe. Just my opinion. -CM

• 2 Casey O'Donnell // Jul 24, 2007 at 2:49 pm

  I don’t neccesarily think that every crew member should carry a gun- although at Military Sealift Command we were all well armed on watch- when I was an AB watchstander a long time ago - I had a shotgun on gangway watch and I had sharpshooter duty on the bridgewings after 9/11. I think that If you are going to be sailing in these waters- you really need to look out for yourself. Somali pirates are not the type to let people live. You would be better off trying to kill a few of them as they board- you might scare them off. Having a large knife on you at a minimum- and them maybe some makeshift weapons. Fire extinguishers make good cover, fire hoses charged on deck can be used to repel hostiles. Large tools- air guns (a few engineers I have known have made potato guns on the ship) - anything to keep yourself alive.

  Companies should be arming up- and providing small arms training for thier crews. I am of the opinion that it is ridiculous to go out into a dangerous environment without any protection. This is just another example of how the western world has gotten too soft- we are easy targets.

  I would not reccommend doing anything that would break company policy or international law- but personally- I would like to have a sidearm on me if I thought I was at risk.

  I am willing to bet that these poor sailors (the danish ship and maybe the others) are not going to be alive at the end of this ordeal. At least you can die with some dignity if you know you did everything you could to survive the attack.
  ——————————————
  I have a strong maritime security background and military experience. I am an expert with guns and many experienced in hand weapons such as quarter staves, Nunchuk, Sai, and love archery. I have had a variety of martial arts training, and a retired Army father who is tough as nails.

  The best offense is a strong defense! Never let the enemy catch you in a weak moment where you are not on the lookout.

• 3 Brendan // Jul 24, 2007 at 3:02 pm

  From what I know, a bright flashlight usually keeps off the pirates. However, I still wouldn’t feel safe in some areas of the world without minimal armament. Remember, a ship is its own capsule of sovereignty and has to protect itself as such.

• 4 Capt. Mike // Jul 25, 2007 at 2:13 am

  Casey, It’s been my experience talking with those who have been there that most of these pirates just want cash and goods. If you give it to them you may end up with some bruises, if you fight you end up dead.

  Is it worth your life to protect the company? If you work for MSC I would say yes. Otherwise, no.

• 5 Bill // Jul 25, 2007 at 2:55 am

  The only weapons I would use are a 2.5″ firehose or a sonic blaster like the Carnival Cruise ship used on the somali pirates: http://www.boingboing.net/2005/11/06/seapirates_chased_of.html

• 6 fkldse // Jul 25, 2007 at 6:19 am

  Funny this very question is being discussed on the History Channel as I write this. Here’s some of the “expert’s” opinions:

  Pros:
  *It’s a historic right
  *Companies can afford larger, more powerful guns than pirates

  Cons:
  *Guns can’t be used on tankers or LNG ships…there not intrinsically safe! (I’m not joking this was really brought up)
  *Mariners are likely to freeze when face to face with a pirate isnce they have no experience killing people, the priate won’t

  Now their discussing the Carnival cruise story Bill linked to. 3 passengers said they wish they had guns with them. There’s the sonic gun looks neat!! (commercial break)

• 7 Casey O'Donnell // Jul 25, 2007 at 7:17 pm

  Capt. Mike,

  How many people have you known that have survived real encounters with these folks? Because they have a real bad habit of beheading people - even if they get the money they are looking for.

  I would agree that the best thing would be the sonic or electrical systems that keep people from boarding- but if your are on a ship that has no such system (they are prohibitively expensive- and shipping companies are usually too cheap to buy real protection) what can you do?

  If you are worried about wackos on your crew having guns aboard- Guess what? They already do- I have been on a few ships and I knew a couple sketchy guys that had guns locked up or hidden in the overhead. The guys you are afraid of don’t pay attention to company policy or the law for that matter. I have also been on a ship that had guns and encouraged you to practice out at sea- skeet launcher and all!

  When did we become so afraid to protect ourselves? I won’t have my head cut off by some Somali nutjob.

• 8 Capt. John // Jul 25, 2007 at 8:04 pm

  My opinions are mixed and I took like the sonic blaster idea. One item of note, however, the man who was operating the blaster for carnival was hit with shrapnel. The pirates saw him pointing the weapon and opened fire. Luckily they didn’t have time to damage the unit (or him) before he aimed it correctly.

• 9 Oats // Jul 26, 2007 at 12:37 pm

  Any weapon carries some degree of risk. Tasers can cause harm to the user if not used properly- pepper spray used into the wind will harm you instead of the assailant.

  Training is key- every weapon is merely a tool to protect you from danger. Use it as intended and the outcome will be good 99% of the time. But if you don’t train, or don’t know how to use it- you will cause yourself and others harm.

  Ships should have some protection other than fire hoses- to protect cargo and crew!

• 10 Future Anti-Piracy Weapon? | gCaptain.com // Sep 6, 2007 at 1:22 am

  […] Could this non-lethal device be the answer to piracy problems and our question “Do weapons belong aboard ships?” […]

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