[SWAMPSNIPER]

I’ve maintained weapons in a salt water environment for decades, and hitting a skiff full of pirates is certainly easier than shooting down a flying duck.

[gandalftb]

Sure, weapons can be maintained in any environment, by professional soldiers. We are talking about seamen here, most of whom have no weapons training and minimal interest in doing so.

We need to be practical here. The boat owners are not going to pay for guards on board and the sailors are not competent to handle and maintain weapons.