Posted on 11/18/2009 9:39:41 AM PST by EternalVigilance
About an hour ago, the Associated Press reported that the crew of the US-flagged merchant vessel Maersk Alabama repelled a pirate attack off the coast of Somalia. This is the same ship that was boarded by pirates last April. At that time, the captain of the ship was taken hostage and was held by pirates in a lifeboat for five days. The incident ended when US Navy SEAL snipers simultaneously killed all three pirates aboard the lifeboat in a nighttime action. This time, the pirates never got aboard the ship.
What was the difference? Guns.
As the AP report makes abundantly clear, members of the "international community" are steadfastly opposed to having armed guards or crewmembers aboard their vessels. And, events have provided a telling contrast between the two positions. On Monday, the chemical tanker Theresa was hijacked and its captain is now dead. (According to the AP report, the captain was not killed during the attack, but rather died later of internal injuries. That suggests a follow-on beating.) On Tuesday, the crew of a Spanish vessel was released after Somali pirates received a $3.3-million ransom. If I were a merchant seaman, I'd want to work only on an American vessel -- and thus live to laugh about "international opinion".
Europeans complain that many ex-military armed guards used by American shipping companies (plus those of a scarce few other countries) have no maritime security experience. (Apparently, those Europeans have never heard of the United States Marines or the US Navy SEALs....) The cure is simple. The Massachussetts Maritime Academy teaches a course on maritime security. Apparently, certain shipping companies are willing to pay the fee. It's cheaper than lost cargo, increased insurance premiums, and dead crewmembers.
The lesson here is simple, but bears repeating. Criminals are predators that prefer "soft targets". Weakness invites predators, and advocating a policy against self-defense is merely an invitation to such predators. European shipping companies maintain the position that it is the job of the naval forces of various countries to protect shipping. But, most countries have only limited military and naval resources at best. Even the military and naval forces of the United States are only a fraction of the size that the used to be before the Democratic downsizing craze (which started at the end of the Vietnam War, and continues to this day). Therefore, hoping for a warship to come along and save the day is a high-seas equivalent of trying to call the police during a home invasion. That is why many gun-rights advocates refer to "911" as merely "government-sponsored dial-a-prayer".
Chances are that the surviving crewmembers would never be prosecuted for defending themselves against a pirate attack. But, even if they were, a conviction would be unlikely. An old saying applies: "Better to be tried by twelve than carried by six."
Tom Kovach (rhymes with "watch") is an author, inventor, horse wrangler, paralegal, and a former USAF Blue Beret. He is the Tennessee state chairman of America's Independent Party. Tom has been on the ballot for Congress twice. You can learn more by clicking: www.TomKovach.US.
A couple of sniper weapons on top of that would work real good.
Thanks for the ping!
That’s beautiful man.
Sign me up!
As reported by AP, the Euro-pacifists were aghast that the ship actually used guns (horrors!) to defend itself (see below).
I am still trying to understand why pirates are not immediately executed, as they are in gross violation of international law.
From AP: However, Roger Middleton, a piracy expert at the London-based think tank Chatham House, said the international maritime community was still “solidly against” armed guards aboard vessels at sea, but that American ships have taken a different line than the rest of the international community.
“Shipping companies are still pretty much overwhelmingly opposed to the idea of armed guards,” Middleton said. “Lots of private security companies employee people who don’t have maritime experience. Also, there’s the idea that it’s the responsibility of states and navies to provide security. I would think it’s a step backward if we start privatizing security of the shipping trade.”
Time to start hanging ‘em from the yard arm.
Once again, we have proof that Disarming the law-abiding DOESN’T PROTECT the Law-abiding.
[I know, I know ‘Well duhh..]
We have a crime prevented because the good guys were armed, whereas before we had a crime facilitated because the good guy Weren’t armed.
Why does this have to be proven time and time again?
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Love it!
I get the idea that most pirate boats would be deterred by a 30cal machine gun. Firing from high on the deck of a freighter would be easier than firing an RPG from a skiff.
Indeed.
Your tagline is one of the best I’ve ever seen on FR.
This article says that it was a specially trained security force, not the actual crew, hired by the shipping line that opened fire on the pirates as they approached the freighter. Given the positive outcome, it hardly matters. It also says that this repeat on the Maersk took place 350 miles from Somalia. It looks like the pirates have greatly expanded their hunting area.
Yeah, I know. “blood running in the streets” all over again. Nothing but bad can come of this.
‘cept maybe some pirates that go hungry! or perhaps even out of business. Yeah, but that would be bad, right?
Ignorance is amazing, isn’t it?
Got this in an e-mail from a buddy. I don’t know how to get the pictures to post. It’s really done quite nicely:
JUST KEEP ON SCROLLING DOWN FOR MORE FUN ON THE OPEN SEA’S
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Never mind, see post #23. That’s the brochure!
“I get the idea that most pirate boats would be deterred by a 30cal machine gun.
I think .50cal machine guns would permanently deter pirate’s boats. Make that incendiary rounds.
Middleton said.: “ I would think it’s a step backward if we start privatizing security of the shipping trade.”
This “expert’s” idea has FAIL written all over it.
The link isn’t working for me.
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