Somalia pirates taking ships- where was the on-board security?

[Indiana_Jones]

I fail to understand why these ships are being hi-jacked. Are we not talking about a vessel with hi-tech equipment hailing from a developed nation being overrun by primitive-by-comparisson folk in blow-up boats? And with this fleet of destroyers all in the area?

Unbelievable.

Small boats are very hard to pick up on radar and to see from the air at night when most pirate attacks are.

Surprise is the key to their attacks working. Also the ocean is a big place, easy to mess a super tanker in it let alone a 10ft boat.

-Indy

[Pixie]

I feel safe that the Somali immigrants that the clarke government invited into our country are not pirates.

They were thoroughly checked for eye patches and daggers clenched between their teeth.

[jonbuoy]

I fail to understand why these ships are being hi-jacked. Are we not talking about a vessel with hi-tech equipment hailing from a developed nation being overrun by primitive-by-comparisson folk in blow-up boats? And with this fleet of destroyers all in the area?

Unbelievable.

As Indy said small boats are easy to manouver into radar blind spots - usually from behind and hard to see even when they aren´t. Naval warship radars have the same problem small boats don´t give off much of a return and get lost in the sea clutter. Its a big stretch of water, the boat I work on was possibly heading that way to get to the Maldives. In the end they cancelled due to the high insurance premium we would have to pay. The thought of squirting a fire hose at someone with a semi automatic didn´t apeal to me or any of the crew. Even a sonic cannon is only any good if you have enough notice and know what direction they are approaching from.

[awayatc]

What would you do to survive?

Would you not do whatever it takes......?

Not the Somalies who turned this planet into such a paradise.....

I'd still happily shoot them if I where onboard with suitable firepower...

But that is because I too would do whatever it takes to survive....

[jonbuoy]

What would you do to survive?

Would you not do whatever it takes......?

Not the Somalies who turned this planet into such a paradise.....

I'd still happily shoot them if I where onboard with suitable firepower...

But that is because I too would do whatever it takes to survive....

They´ve been smart enough not to kill or seriously injure any people from the first world, treat them like shit maybe but better that than dead. I wouldn´t risk my life for a company.

[jetboy]

As Indy said small boats are easy to manouver into radar blind spots - usually from behind and hard to see even when they aren´t. Naval warship radars have the same problem small boats don´t give off much of a return and get lost in the sea clutter. Its a big stretch of water, the boat I work on was possibly heading that way to get to the Maldives. In the end they cancelled due to the high insurance premium we would have to pay. The thought of squirting a fire hose at someone with a semi automatic didn´t apeal to me or any of the crew. Even a sonic cannon is only any good if you have enough notice and know what direction they are approaching from.

Fair enough re: the radar.....but you must surely know when the bastards are beginning to board? Pop a couple of rounds into the skull of the lead boarder from above as he climbs up his rope or ladder.

One would have thought that the cost of hiring a few mercenaries trained in the art of warfare would be bugger all compared to the cost of the cargo and vessel itself, let alone loss of income after the hi-jack? I know if it were me I'd hire mercenaries or at the very least train my crew up to handle weapons (e.g. automatics, grenades etc) to protect my stuff from these pirates. I'd rather die protecting my property than squirt some Somalian holding a gun with a water cannon only to be overrun in the end with the possibility of being killed anyway.

The sooner people start eliminating these pirates with lethal force, the sooner they get the message that its not just a matter of jumping on a cargo ship and taking control. And if they don't get the message at least they will reduce in numbers.

[malfunconz]

nuke somalia one night quietly may be no one will notice for a few days

[awayatc]

why? don't you like pirates?

They and the Talibanies are my favourite muppets...,

Oh and don't forget Osama bin there done that ...

[Kickaha]

The sooner people start eliminating these pirates with lethal force, the sooner they get the message that its not just a matter of jumping on a cargo ship and taking control. And if they don't get the message at least they will reduce in numbers.

If they take that kind of tactic then they need to make sure there are no survivors so they can't go running back to their mates and tooling up even more

[jetboy]

If they take that kind of tactic then they need to make sure there are no survivors so they can't go running back to their mates and tooling up even more

Bingo!

[Indiana_Jones]

If they take that kind of tactic then they need to make sure there are no survivors so they can't go running back to their mates and tooling up even more

The whole point of high-jacking the ships is to get the crew as well.

Without the crew they have nothing, it's their only bargining chip. Once that's gone out of the window the navies will just sending boarding parties etc and shoot all the skinnies

-Indy

[Dave Lobster]

I fail to understand why these ships are being hi-jacked. Are we not talking about a vessel with hi-tech equipment hailing from a developed nation being overrun by primitive-by-comparisson folk in blow-up boats? And with this fleet of destroyers all in the area?

Unbelievable.

It doesn't matter which battle it is.. whereever in the world. At the end of the day, it doesn't matter how much hi tech gear you've got, the battle will boil down to you shooting an enemy soldier who has nothing more than an AK47 - and a cause.

[awayatc]

Vietnam
Afghanistan
Serbia/bosnia
Somalia
South Auckland.....

[jonbuoy]

Fair enough re: the radar.....but you must surely know when the bastards are beginning to board? Pop a couple of rounds into the skull of the lead boarder from above as he climbs up his rope or ladder.

One would have thought that the cost of hiring a few mercenaries trained in the art of warfare would be bugger all compared to the cost of the cargo and vessel itself, let alone loss of income after the hi-jack? I know if it were me I'd hire mercenaries or at the very least train my crew up to handle weapons (e.g. automatics, grenades etc) to protect my stuff from these pirates. I'd rather die protecting my property than squirt some Somalian holding a gun with a water cannon only to be overrun in the end with the possibility of being killed anyway.

The sooner people start eliminating these pirates with lethal force, the sooner they get the message that its not just a matter of jumping on a cargo ship and taking control. And if they don't get the message at least they will reduce in numbers.

Training the crew isn't a great idea a two week training course isn't going to cut it against a gang of heavily armed pirates. Hiring security contractors is an option but if the Pirates start expecting return fire they will likely be a lot more aggressive. Would you seriously consider dying for the contents of your wallet/home. I know I wouldn't. I don't look forward to spending 6 weeks locked up but at the end if I can walk away with only cuts and bruises its better than the alternatives.

I agree on using lethal force - by trained military/government forces.

[Winston001]

One would have thought that the cost of hiring a few mercenaries trained in the art of warfare would be bugger all compared to the cost of the cargo and vessel itself.....

I'd rather die protecting my property than squirt some Somalian holding a gun with a water cannon only to be overrun in the end with the possibility of being killed anyway.

I think we'd like to agree but read Swoops posts - all of them. He comprehensively answers everything you suggest.

Modern ships carry minimal crew. The pirates operate small fast boats. They are up onboard before anyone has any idea they exist.

Ships crews are not trained in the use of weapons and don't hire on to get killed. Would you seriously offer to die to protect Talleys?

Mercs are a nice idea - 1500 ships a day sail the Gulf route - where are you going to get enough trustworthy guards to cover a months worth of ships??? And pay them....?