Piracy has to be stopped and the use of marines would certainly help. France has acted decisively and effectively, but this sort of action shouldnt be necessary in the first place. Proper policing of the international waters and the use of protected convoys would assist in minimising the risks. However with voyage times effecting profitability, it is not always feasible for ships to await convoys in order to transit this region.
There are probably only a few groups operating and once these are taken out, the situation will improve.
At the leisure end of the industry, this is seriously effecting the potential for yachting economies to grow on the East coast of Africa. Most yachtsmen discount the red sea and indian ocean as an alternative to a transatlantic crossing because the piracy issues.
Now that France has acted, maybe the UN will do something about this and provide some funding to combat the problem.
The incident with the yacht LE PONANT shows clearly that cruising war ships will arrive to late to prevent pirates from seizing ships.
My Pirate Protection Plan puts marines on the spot to stop pirates from boarding.
If in the process pirates are killed, it sends a strong message to others.
“A proper pirate is a dead one”, is an old Wijdenesser saying. Yet arming sailors is not the answer to piracy. Handling a gun properly takes months of training and, after all, sailors did not choose a fighting career. Vigilance is key. These days, only fun-loving yachties fly the Jolly Roger. Pirates may disguise themselves as peaceful fisherman until they suddenly attack.
Guarding the ship against piracy cannot be left solely to the ship’s crew. Dedicated ship’s duties leave little extra time for patrolling nor do crew members possess the proper training. Defending against boarding pirates with charged fire hoses and a prayer is not effective against heavily armed attackers in the middle of nowhere.
Seven to ten well-trained and heavily armed marines should be stationed aboard ships transiting known perilous passages. Marines have but one objective; guard and defend. Three marines should be on continuous watch duty; one on the port bridge wing, one on the starboard bridge wing and one on the stern. This applies at sea as well as in port. Training will be needed for best cooperation between merchant sailors and marines. Of course, language and cultural differences will need to be addressed.
United Nations Security Council should compel the pirate infected countries to allow ships to be armed and come into action against pirates within their territorial waters.
Comments (2)
Marines
Piracy has to be stopped and the use of marines would certainly help. France has acted decisively and effectively, but this sort of action shouldnt be necessary in the first place. Proper policing of the international waters and the use of protected convoys would assist in minimising the risks. However with voyage times effecting profitability, it is not always feasible for ships to await convoys in order to transit this region.
There are probably only a few groups operating and once these are taken out, the situation will improve.
At the leisure end of the industry, this is seriously effecting the potential for yachting economies to grow on the East coast of Africa. Most yachtsmen discount the red sea and indian ocean as an alternative to a transatlantic crossing because the piracy issues.
Now that France has acted, maybe the UN will do something about this and provide some funding to combat the problem.
Pirates are not romantic.
Dear Mr. editor,
The incident with the yacht LE PONANT shows clearly that cruising war ships will arrive to late to prevent pirates from seizing ships.
My Pirate Protection Plan puts marines on the spot to stop pirates from boarding.
If in the process pirates are killed, it sends a strong message to others.
“A proper pirate is a dead one”, is an old Wijdenesser saying. Yet arming sailors is not the answer to piracy. Handling a gun properly takes months of training and, after all, sailors did not choose a fighting career. Vigilance is key. These days, only fun-loving yachties fly the Jolly Roger. Pirates may disguise themselves as peaceful fisherman until they suddenly attack.
Guarding the ship against piracy cannot be left solely to the ship’s crew. Dedicated ship’s duties leave little extra time for patrolling nor do crew members possess the proper training. Defending against boarding pirates with charged fire hoses and a prayer is not effective against heavily armed attackers in the middle of nowhere.
Seven to ten well-trained and heavily armed marines should be stationed aboard ships transiting known perilous passages. Marines have but one objective; guard and defend. Three marines should be on continuous watch duty; one on the port bridge wing, one on the starboard bridge wing and one on the stern. This applies at sea as well as in port. Training will be needed for best cooperation between merchant sailors and marines. Of course, language and cultural differences will need to be addressed.
United Nations Security Council should compel the pirate infected countries to allow ships to be armed and come into action against pirates within their territorial waters.
Capt. Jaap Stengs ret.
Wijdenes Holland EU