[RKV]

Well, the Saudis could pay us to protect their ships. Or they can deal with the pirates themselves - they have a navy you know. That of course, would mean actually risking their precious Arab asses, which is why they don’t do a damn thing.

[Mr. Bird]

I have found these piracy events intriguing. Would there be a downside to arming a tanker with just enough firepower to blow a yacht sized vessel out of the water if threatened? Seems like there is almost a 2nd amendment fable in here somewhere. How else could 20 armed pirates actually seize a vessel twice the size of a carrier?

[omega4179]

The Star is a VLCC Supertanker, somebody will be angry about this.

[2ndDivisionVet]

"Millions for defense, but not a penny for tribute."

[realdifferent1]

Arm your ships and 'engage' anyone.

After one or two experiences of this nature piracy will 'drop-off'.

[KoRn]

It may be time to use SEAL teams against these bastards.

A SEAL team could go through a group of these thugs like a hot knife through butter. It would make for great exercises.

[Prophet in the wilderness]

No wonder I was gasoline go up 2 cents on our area today.

[OCC]

After the Limberg, you would think supertankers would have some kind of defenses by now.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limburg_tanker_bombing

[stboz]

What's the closest big harbor of economic significance? If these guys are AQ, look for them to drive into the harbor and blow it up.

Are we and the Saudis willing to torpedo this boat to avoid that? Are we willing to accept the environmental mess?

Do we have the balls to do it?

[DonnerT]

Inside job. GPS and a sattelite phone.

[aShepard]

Where’s Paladan when you need him?

Have Gun Will Travel!

We hired many many mercenaries for security in Iraq.

I’ll bet an awful lot of them would enjoy a cruise.
Armed to the hilt with 50 cal machine guns, grenades, and acid to pour down the hull on top of a potential boarder.

[Issaquahking]

Fourth, as hopeless as it sounds, Somalia needs nation-building. Its failed-state conditions are the root of the piracy. The United Nations, which runs the government there, needs to do more to create alternatives to piracy.

United Nations...normally the problem anywhere on the globe.

Our forefathers had it figured out back then. Consider Jefferson's solution.