[conservatism_IS_compassion]

Cheaper solution: long-endurance Predator-type UAVs that can be launched from a base ship (not a super-carrier), patrol long stretches of water, and engage pirates with rocket and machinegun fire

I think along the same lines. It would be good also to consider using a radar aircraft (piloted or not) to keep all boats/ships in the area under surveilance. That way when a pirate boat approached a cargo ship you would know where it came from - and could sink the mother ship as well as the actual attack boat.

For defensive purposes, a Marine on board a freighter with a .50 cal Barrett rifle with some explosive rounds would be able to give any attack boat something to think about besides ransom money. Would they need to board the freighter at sea to get around firearm restrictions at ports of call?

[PapaBear3625]

It would be good also to consider using a radar aircraft (piloted or not) to keep all boats/ships in the area under surveilance. That way when a pirate boat approached a cargo ship you would know where it came from - and could sink the mother ship as well as the actual attack boat.

Sounds like something that the Global Hawk reconnaissance UAV was designed for. Have one or two Global Hawks on station finding targets for a few Predators.