Brits fight off deadly pirates (repelled 4 pirate attacks w/ molotov cocktails, flare guns)

The Sun (U.K.) ^ | January 6, 2009 | DAVID WILLETTS

[Stoat]

"They really are heroes. This team performed above and beyond the call of duty.”

And it's a real shame that they were forced to manufacture their own weapons in order to do their job

Denied guns by law, the men were forced to used improvised weapons – including mini grenades made out of light bulbs and paint thinner.

So a three-man security team was hired to protect the vessel...with what weaponry?  did their employer expect them to engage AK-47's and RPG's with hand-to-hand combat?  It seems that quite a bit is missing from this initial report...hopefully other sources will fill in the blanks in the days to come.

In the meantime I hope that these brave men will be given substantial awards for such bravery and valor.

[Stoat]

[unkus]

.50 Caliber ping

[Venturer]

These three xheroes are back in Britain, and more than likely the pirates have been released and are back on the bounding main.

It is crazy to force ships to cross pirate infested waters unarmed. By this time whoever made such an idiotic law should have looked at it and changed it,but that might stop the pirates, and it sure looks like that isnt the objective here. One good hand grenade here would have solved the problem for good and all.

When guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns.

[farmer18th]

I STILL think it would be great to outfit a Carnival Cruise Lines Somali Pirates NRA/GOA cruise. “Barbary Tour 2009 — Great Eats, Great Shooting!”

[rockinqsranch]

In the meantime I hope that these brave men will be given substantial awards rewards for such bravery and valor.

Agreed

[RightResponse]

Sea Marshalls needed... (sic)

[ASOC]

“Former Royal Marine Kevin Brewin”

It would RAH was correct - there are no dangerous weapons, only dangerous people.

I can only wonder what the outcome might have been had the RM beeen granted access to a MPMG or (horrors) a Ma Duce.

[JamesP81]

I wouldn’t even consider getting on a ship sailing through that area without my Mini-14 onhand...

[spetznaz]

I'd say the ocean is a wide place ....a very vast area, and if pirates showed up, and the crew had hidden weapons (smuggling takes place all the time ...it would not be hard for a ship's owner and the crew to arrange for cheap Russian or Chinese MGs and grenade launchers to 'appear' somewhere in the ship). Then, if the pirates engage, and those weapons were to magically appear on board, destroy the pirates and dispatch all evidence to Davy Jones, then who would be the wiser?

I think going forward some of these hired teams will be having real weapons. The crew will not report it, the ship's owner will gladly finance it, and obviously the pirates will not be talking to anyone from many fathoms down.

Or maybe it is already happening ....a lot could happen to pirates without anyone ever knowing, and I am sure there MUST be some pirate boats that head out in the morning and never return.

[oh8eleven]

Former Royal Marine Kevin Brewin, 52, lead the team of Alex and Ian Knight, 38, on their mission to defend the vulnerable vessel.
Marines around the world, from all countries, salute you! Semper Fi ...

[Taichi]

Who’s law prohibits them from carrying guns? They were at sea.
I think I see why the pirates are so bold, as usual the law favors the wrong side.

[Max in Utah]

Denied guns by law...

Some enterprising fishermen could make a bundle from selling small arms from their boats on the high seas. A few old AKs and a couple of RPGs could make a big difference in the hands of ex-military personnel.

[Vaquero]

Denied guns by law, the men were forced to used improvised weapons – including mini grenades made out of light bulbs and paint thinner.

Well there's your problem....in a nut shell. They need to be able to ARM THEMSELVES!

[70th Division]

the do skeet shoot off the fan tail. So take about 50 shotguns and a couple of cases of slugs. 7/8 of an ounce of lead. It will go through a boat or a terrorist.

[Pharmboy]

Improvised weapons and bravery ping...

[Dan Middleton]

"And it's a real shame that they were forced to manufacture their own weapons in order to do their job. So a three-man security team was hired to protect the vessel...with what weaponry? did their employer expect them to engage AK-47's and RPG's with hand-to-hand combat?"

No kidding. If these guys really signed on under such terms, they're brave bordering on insane.

Can ANYBODY explain the logic behind the restrictions which prevent merchant vessels and their crews from carrying weapons to protect themselves?

[Stoat]

Sounds like quite a plausible and likely scenario...thank you!

[DieHard the Hunter]

> And it’s a real shame that they were forced to manufacture their own weapons in order to do their job

These four guys are just like Hannibal Smith and the A-Team!

Improvised weapons — I love it!

[Freedom56v2]

Sea Marshalls needed... (sic)

<<Exactly!