piracy and self defense

[Kid Shelleen]

Commenting on the measure, Rep. LoBiondo, the ranking member of the U.S. House of Representatives Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation subcommittee, said: “Our merchant marine fleet is increasingly under attack from unlawful individuals and rogue groups that seek to disrupt commerce, seize U.S. and foreign crews, and instill fear on international waters.  It is only appropriate that our fleets be legally allowed to defend themselves from these violent encounters. This common-sense legislation is a necessary step in empowering U.S.-flagged vessels to protect their crews and cargo.”

Screw the International Maritime Organization's Maritime Safety Committee and the United Nation's guidance on "surviving as a hostage."

At least Rep. LoBiondo is making some sense. It's time for the US to chart it's own course on this one.

[tombogan03884]

 It has ALWAYS been time for America to chart it's own course. F*#k the UN.

[fightingquaker13]

It has ALWAYS been time for America to chart it's own course. F*#k the UN.

I wouldn't go that far because piracy was the first recognized international crime. Every nation basically gave every other nation the right to hang their own people if they were caught in the act. Piracy was seen as an act of war against all nations as it interferred with commerce and free navigation of the high seas, and this goes back to Roman times. It would be nice if the UN cracked down (and I honestly don't understand why they don't as it effects all nations equally, whether they are exporters or importers. Its not like its just US, or even western vessels being attacked). Never the less, if the US arms its flagged vessels, a smart pirate will choose another country's as these guy are in it for the money, which is hard to spend when you're dead. Even if the mariners are overwhelmed, would you choose to attack a ship that was armed, or one that probably wasn't? Even the fattest doughnut muncher on the force isn't going to get mugged. Thieves go for soft targets. Why the UN doesn't get ths, I don't understand.
FQ13

[Pathfinder]

I wouldn't go that far because piracy was the first recognized international crime. Every nation basically gave every other nation the right to hang their own people if they were caught in the act. Piracy was seen as an act of war against all nations as it interferred with commerce and free navigation of the high seas, and this goes back to Roman times. It would be nice if the UN cracked down (and I honestly don't understand why they don't as it effects all nations equally, whether they are exporters or importers. Its not like its just US, or even western vessels being attacked). Never the less, if the US arms its flagged vessels, a smart pirate will choose another country's as these guy are in it for the money, which is hard to spend when you're dead. Even if the mariners are overwhelmed, would you choose to attack a ship that was armed, or one that probably wasn't? Even the fattest doughnut muncher on the force isn't going to get mugged. Thieves go for soft targets. Why the UN doesn't get ths, I don't understand.
FQ13

We all know that.

Why look to the UN? They are corrupt, venal, and basically worthless - unless you consider the whole undermining of the US Constitution thing. Tom answered it best:

It has ALWAYS been time for America to chart it's own course. F*#k the UN.

Let every ship be armed, either through national military or contractors, and the piracy issue will all but disappear. Better yet, send the UN into Somalia and let them try to solve the country's many ills - that is a much better use for them. But again, the UN is corrupt, venal and damn near worthless.

[ratcatcher55]

I got this emailed to me the other day.

http://www.maritimepiracysummit.com/Event.aspx?id=203832&utm_campaign=vip

I'm sure piracy will end under the weight of the powerpoint presentations alone.

Piracy has been around as long as there has been ocean commerce.

Hang them when you catch them, sink their boats, bombard their home ports.

[Sponsor]

[BML325]

Here is what people should be doing with Pirates.

According to several news sources, Russian yacht owners will begin offering "pirate hunting" vacations to those interested in wielding AK-47's and shooting at pirates off the coast of Somalia.

Tickets aboard the ocean liners, which will cruise at about five miles per hour in an attempt to attract pirates, will cost about US$5,000, with AK-47's and ammunition available for rent each day. The ships will be protected from pirates by private security guards made up of ex-special forces troops.

[deepwater]

http://www.amo-union.net/article.php?a=418

House approves Naval force protection for U.S.-flagged merchant vessels hauling PL-480 and other government cargoes through “regions at high risk of piracy”

The House of Representatives has approved legislation to require “embarked military personnel” aboard some U.S.-flagged merchant ships in waters prone to piracy.
     The measure was an amendment to H.R. 2647, a fiscal 2010 defense budget authorization bill that cleared by a vote of 389-22. Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD) filed the amendment.
     Under the Cummings amendment, the Secretary of Defense would be directed to provide armed security teams for U.S.-flagged vessels carrying PL-480 grain and other government cargoes “in regions at high risk of piracy.”
     In recent testimony before House and Senate subcommittees, the Department of Defense opposed the use of military detachments to protect U.S.-flagged cargo vessels in perilous areas, framing it as a “resource” issue and arguing that vessel operators alone are responsible for ship security.
     But Rep. Cummings — who took DOD to task on this issue as chairman of the House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation — disagreed sharply.
     “We would never leave the U.S. homeland unguarded if it were at risk of an attack, and we should apply the same standard to our ships instead of leaving them to fend for themselves,” he said upon House passage of H.R. 2647. “We anticipate that embarking military security personnel on these vessels will require far less manpower than patrolling the region with multiple Navy vessels and be much more efficient and effective in keeping our mariners safe.”
     The Cummings amendment was a response to increasing incidents of pirate attacks upon merchant vessels in the Gulf of Aden and in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Somalia. According to Rep. Cummings, there were 114 pirate attacks upon merchant vessels and 29 successful hijackings off the Horn of Africa through mid-May 2009, compared with a total of 111 attacks in 2008.
     Moreover, Somali pirates threatened publicly to avenge the deaths of three pirates and the arrest of one by U.S. Navy commandos during the recent case involving the U.S.-flagged Maersk Alabama and its captain, Richard Phillips.
     In May 2009, the U.S.-flagged Maersk Virginia — under the command of Capt. Sean Hughes — evaded Somali pirates for the second time in six months.
     The International Organization of Masters, Mates and Pilots and the Marine Engineers' Beneficial Association represent the officers aboard the Maersk Alabama. American Maritime Officers represents the deck and engine officers aboard the Maersk Virginia. The Seafarers International Union represents the unlicensed personnel on both vessels.
     “Our merchant fleet has always depended on our nation's Naval power to ensure its safety, and we cannot shirk that duty now,” Rep. Cummings said. “Embarking military security personnel on these vessels makes a loud statement that our nation stands behind these ships, and that we will not allow pirates to intimidate us.”#

 

PL480 cargo is government food aid. they will protect it because their paying for it. meanwhile the rest of us have to suffer.

[Pathfinder]

Here is what people should be doing with Pirates.

According to several news sources, Russian yacht owners will begin offering "pirate hunting" vacations to those interested in wielding AK-47's and shooting at pirates off the coast of Somalia.

Tickets aboard the ocean liners, which will cruise at about five miles per hour in an attempt to attract pirates, will cost about US$5,000, with AK-47's and ammunition available for rent each day. The ships will be protected from pirates by private security guards made up of ex-special forces troops.

If I weren't among the ranks of the unemployed at the moment, I would so be there!

[Kid Shelleen]

Here is what people should be doing with Pirates.

According to several news sources, Russian yacht owners will begin offering "pirate hunting" vacations to those interested in wielding AK-47's and shooting at pirates off the coast of Somalia.

Tickets aboard the ocean liners, which will cruise at about five miles per hour in an attempt to attract pirates, will cost about US$5,000, with AK-47's and ammunition available for rent each day. The ships will be protected from pirates by private security guards made up of ex-special forces troops.

Sounds like fun. Do you know the name of the travel agent?

[Kid Shelleen]

It has ALWAYS been time for America to chart it's own course. F*#k the UN.

Absolutely agree with you Tom, the UN is as worthless as the ACLU. We'd be soooooooo much better off without either of them. The UN is a total bad joke. We should have sent them packing years ago. Instead we continue to host the moth*&^%$%ers.