Poll: Somalian pirates = guns on merchant ships?

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WolfThomas

Man must have a code.
Dec 21, 2007
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Its a fairly recent developement historically ships NOT having guns/weapons. Remember the good ol' days of cannon to cannon, boarding lines, etc...
 

Spacewolf

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May 21, 2008
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im sure most ships have several rifles aboard i mean even british ships do (i think)
 

WolfThomas

Man must have a code.
Dec 21, 2007
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Spacewolf said:
im sure most ships have several rifles aboard i mean even british ships do (i think)
But a few rifles won't compete with AK47s, russian machine guns and rpgs. I'm thinking .50 cal AP machine gun targets and crude surface to surface missiles. M16s for the rest of the crew.
 

Mask of 1000 Faces

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Feb 28, 2009
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The military is huge, just plug a few marines on the ship, lets see how well pirates work with government troops on board.

And a trusted captain should *always* have a personal firearm if nothing else on board his ship.

I was stunned at the telly when they told me noone on board had a firearm. I was like, "You're complaining about piracy and taking no precautions? *FACEPALM*".

Give the poor guys a gun!
 

Ago Iterum

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Dec 31, 2007
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Jadak said:
Just out of curiosity, what is the argument(s) against merchant vessels being armed?
The safety of the crew would be massively comprimised. As it stands, the crews aren't being murdered unless they try to be heroes. Having guns would lead to a shoot out, and those onboard the merchant vessel who want no part in the gunfire would be killed, all because the ship had guns.
 

JRslinger

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Nov 12, 2008
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If pirates had to fear armed merchant crews, fewer of them would continue to be pirates
 

Hazurr

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Sep 3, 2008
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Merchant crews are not trained to handle lethal weapons, the belgians have an IMO better solution: put a detachment of marines on each schip that is slated to sail near the cape.

Here in the netherlands we are forced to use rent-a-cops because of the risk for the marines dying due to lack of medical facilities aboard the ships, also the dutch gun-control laws make it hard to arm the security specialists.
 

Biek

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Mar 5, 2008
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Another problem with armed convoy ships is that if the pirates do make it on board of a merchant ship, they cant do anything. Because the pirates will take the crew hostage and order the ships to back off or their gonna start killing hostages. Instead theyve been using other techniques like water cannons, baricaded (greased) edges and ever welding doors shut for if the pirates do make it aboard.

Im all for putting armed (militairy) guards on the ships instead of training crew to use guns. Leave firefights to professionals imo.
 

Rolling Thunder

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Dec 23, 2007
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I propse we invade Somalia, raze Mogadishu to the ground and sink every damn boat in the country. Why? Because sometimes the only solution to a problem is to show others that you are unafraid of utilising inhuman force on a massive scale. Oh, and it will serve them right for killing UN peacekeepers in '92, the silly bastards.
 

Private Custard

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Dec 30, 2007
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You can always trust the Russians to find a brutal solution.

I was reading the other day that you can take a slow cruise up and down the coastline, when the pirates make a move (which they surely will), former Russian special forces pop up with AK's, rockets and grenades and royally fuck them over!

Cost, £3500 per day with additional costs if you want your own AK for the 'hunt'!

Genius.
 

Zombie_Fish

Opiner of Mottos
Mar 20, 2009
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As much as I stand against violence, if there is a risk of violence, then they should be allowed to carry guns when crossing through the waters for defence. Common sense.

Otherwise, no.
 

BehattedWanderer

Fell off the Alligator.
Jun 24, 2009
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Leave it up to the captains and crew, but at least leave them the option to allow them to arm themselves.
 

ElephantGuts

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Jul 9, 2008
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I personally think it could be a good idea, but most shipping companies have already decided against it as it escalates the violence and will make things worse more often than not, which is probably true. After all, the sailors on the ships probably don't know how to use the firearms effectively, the pirates will eventually overcome them and just be more pissed off.

Actually, nevermind, I don't think it's a good idea.
 

Jark212

Certified Deviant
Jul 17, 2008
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http://www.gadling.com/2009/06/29/russian-yachts-to-offer-pirate-hunting-cruises-off-somali-coas/

This...