Seattle couple murdered by pirates; Would guns on board be smart?

Seattle Gun Rights Examiner ^ | 22 February, 2011 | Dave Workman

[marktwain]

Four Americans, including a Seattle couple, aboard a private yacht hijacked by Somali pirates are dead this morning, and readers reacting to the CBS story on-line are wondering why any of the pirates were taken alive. Likewise, after the Seattle Times caught up with the story at about 7:25 a.m., it didn’t take long for readers to suggest that the pirates be taught a lesson.

The incident is hardly a first in that part of the world. Somali pirates have been emboldened by the willingness of some victims to pay outrageous ransoms. Reports indicate that negotiations were underway between the pirates and a U.S. warship nearby.

Today’s dead are identified as Seattleites Bob Riggle and Phyllis Macay, along with Californians Scott and Jean Adam, who owned the Quest, whose home port may be Marina del Rey, where the Adams lived.

Then we should bring the Navy in and blast those Somalian (sic) MF's back into the stone age (or farther back into it). If a Somolian (sic) ship is at sea and is not fishing, blow them up and ask questions later.—Seattle Times reader

Early in the Obama administration, Navy SEAL marksmen took out some pirates holding a merchant captain hostage, but one can now conclude that message was insufficient to convince pirates that attacking boats or ships on the high seas, sailing under the American flag, is a bad idea. It will be up to the administration to take appropriate action. Examiner readers are encouraged to comment below, explaining what you think would be appropriate.

Meanwhile, what can private vessels do to discourage pirates or defend against them?

This column checked on line and it appears that it is legal – with some red tape, naturally – to carry arms aboard.

[gleeaikin]

A year later here is a very interesting article about the decline of the Somali pirate empire. Don’t know if it was national navies getting serious or small prey arming itself, but something appears to have worked. Perhaps someone with better computer skills than mine would like to post this:

http://news.yahoo.com/ap-impact-party-seems-over-somali-pirates-201115675.html

[gleeaikin]

In the 1960s my brother used to ferry boats from the Islands to Florida. He gave it up because drug runner highjacking had become too dangerous. I never heard about foreign navies. Also, I just posted a link about the decline in the Somali pirate business that might interest you.

[no-to-illegals]

Thanks. Very interesting reading on both pings (this thread and other thread).