Somali Pirates!!! (MERGED)

[MG1968]

cargo ships like that generally don't have very large crews.

 

[OrangeEmpire]

 

[OrangeEmpire]

I would give any thing to be a dummy liberty ship and pop a few rounds into those jerks!

 

[DAVOL]

This has been going on for awhile why do these ships not have armed sailors to fight off these attacks if they know they'll be off the coast of eastern Africa.

 

[chatsworth_vol]

This has been going on for awhile why do these ships not have armed sailors to fight off these attacks if they know they'll be off the coast of eastern Africa.

There are a few reasons. I think one of the biggest reasons is legal. In order to do business the ships must enter territorial waters of another country. Most countries do not have the laws we do to allow citizens to possess firearms, let alone foreign nationals. If companies were to arm their ships/sailors, once they pull into port they can be arrested and impounded for weapons violations. There has been some contractors/private companies/mercenaries that have started business escorting ships, but due to those same laws must stay in international waters. That allows the pirates to attack the ship in that 12 mile buffer between international waters, and the port.

Other things they have to consider is the crews themselves. The crews are often out numbered by a large margin, and lack the willingness to risk fighting back. If I remember right, most of the time the crews are uninjured and released once the ransom is paid. On the other hand if the crew was to fight back, especially against larger numbers, there is a good chance they will be killed.