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Armed guards to protect British ships from pirates
Telegraph ^ | 30 Oct 2011

Posted on 10/30/2011 9:20:20 AM PDT by george76

British ships are to be allowed to carry armed guards to protect them from pirates, David Cameron has announced.

A legal ban on weapon-toting protection staff will be relaxed so that firms can apply for a licence to have them on board in danger zones.

The Prime Minister said radical action was required because the increasing ability of sea-borne Somali criminals to hijack and ransom ships had become "a complete stain on our world".

...

Under the plans, the Home Secretary will be given the power to license vessels to carry armed security, including automatic weapons, currently prohibited under firearms laws.

Officials said around 200 were expected to be in line to take up the offer, which would only apply for voyages through particular waters in the affected region. It is expected to be used by commercial firms rather than private sailors - such as hostage victims Paul and Rachel Chandler.

(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Extended News; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; United Kingdom
KEYWORDS: pirates; somali; somalia; unitedkingdom
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1 posted on 10/30/2011 9:20:23 AM PDT by george76
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To: george76
"...radical action..."

LOL. Whatever you say.

2 posted on 10/30/2011 9:22:12 AM PDT by Paladin2
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To: george76

Time to play the old game of, “imagine if Bush had done that”. Can you say, “cowboy”? Come on, ya know ya can.


3 posted on 10/30/2011 9:23:07 AM PDT by Lonesome in Massachussets (Ceterum autem censeo, Obama delenda est.)
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To: george76

Depends on the armaments involved - are they packing small arms, or something big enough to blow them out of the water?


4 posted on 10/30/2011 9:23:12 AM PDT by Old Sarge (Marking time on the government's dime...)
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To: george76
The Prime Minister said radical action was required because the increasing ability of sea-borne Somali criminals to hijack and ransom ships had become "a complete stain on our world".

Cameron better watch his tongue! That can be interpreted by some as being racist!

5 posted on 10/30/2011 9:24:18 AM PDT by Cowboy Bob (Greed + Envy = Liberalism)
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To: Old Sarge

Paint them and smoke them.


6 posted on 10/30/2011 9:27:20 AM PDT by Texas Fossil (Government, even in its best state is but a necessary evil; in its worst state an intolerable one)
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To: george76
HOZE-EM!!!

7 posted on 10/30/2011 9:28:02 AM PDT by Chode (American Hedonist - *DTOM* -ww- NO Pity for the LAZY)
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To: george76
Obvious solution, about ten years too late. A few experienced veteran sharpshooters with sniper rifles and M-4's should suffice.
8 posted on 10/30/2011 9:29:24 AM PDT by hinckley buzzard
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To: george76

Water cannon, boiling vats of oil, flame throwers, electirfied railing...........


9 posted on 10/30/2011 9:34:20 AM PDT by umgud
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To: Chode

Neat toy! I know people who make some of the parts inside that thing.


10 posted on 10/30/2011 9:40:44 AM PDT by mazda77 (and I am a Native Texan)
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To: george76

But...But...Evil people might be hurt. Next, commoners will want to be able to own guns to protect their homes. Oh, the violence........


11 posted on 10/30/2011 9:44:03 AM PDT by immadashell
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To: Chode

It’s beautiful, man!


12 posted on 10/30/2011 9:48:17 AM PDT by rabidralph
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To: george76

What I find to be a sign of insanity is that British law has to be changed to allow their ships sailing into troubled waters to protect themselves.

Admiral Lord Nelson must be spinning in his grave.


13 posted on 10/30/2011 9:51:06 AM PDT by LegendHasIt
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To: george76
A legal ban on weapon-toting protection staff will be relaxed so that firms can apply for a licence to have them on board in danger zones.

Until complete safety can be assured, and it can not be, every zone is a danger zone; at best safety is only belief about probability.

14 posted on 10/30/2011 9:51:53 AM PDT by coloradan (The US has become a banana republic, except without the bananas - or the republic.)
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To: george76

about damn time

I have never understood how motley poorly equipped Muslim bandits in tiny boats could overtake a large modern tanker. Put radar on board and weapons that can sink small craft. If you can’t make radio contact on one approaching your ship, sink it.


15 posted on 10/30/2011 9:59:35 AM PDT by FreeAtlanta (Fight for Liberty)
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To: coloradan

The old sheriff was attending an awards dinner when a lady commented on his wearing his sidearm.

‘Sheriff, I see you have your pistol. Are you expecting trouble?’

‘No Ma’am. If I were expecting trouble, I would have brought my shotgun.’


16 posted on 10/30/2011 9:59:54 AM PDT by george76 (Ward Churchill : Fake Indian, Fake Scholarship, and Fake Art)
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To: george76
I dunno, I still like the Russian solution...

"Apparently they all have died"

17 posted on 10/30/2011 10:00:06 AM PDT by FunkyZero ("It's not about duck hunting !")
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To: FunkyZero

Catch and release, comrade.....


18 posted on 10/30/2011 10:08:18 AM PDT by GenXteacher (He that hath no stomach for this fight, let him depart!)
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To: george76

Bring back the commerce raiders, then when the pirates are cleaned up go after the illegal fishing in their waters.


19 posted on 10/30/2011 10:20:10 AM PDT by Dawggie
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To: george76

There aren’t very many British-registered ships around. Its not a popular “flag of convenience”.

Perhaps a few more vessels will be shifted to British registration because of this, but based on the numbers its insignificant in itself.

However, it could start a change with the shipowners and insurers.


20 posted on 10/30/2011 10:32:03 AM PDT by buwaya
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