OT Somalia Pirates

Correct me but many US owned ships are foreign flagged. To enjoy whatever special privileges, the ship must be built in the USA. I'd be interested in what special deals US ships get. Always willing to learn something new.

That is a matter of proper treaties.

That is a matter of treaties. Once upon a time, ships carried arms. I'm thinking you may be talking pleasure craft, response further below.

We don't send someone aboard to check their manifest now? If a ship carried declared weapons that were under the control of the ships master, I don't see that as a problem. That same I/P/A ship could be bringing in crates of guns if we are not checking and they are not declaring.

Did you add that? I was talking about fairly conventional arms, pistols, rifles, and shotguns. A rpg is a 1000 yard max range weapon. I realize a ship is a big target but a little boat with poorly practiced shooters isn't likely going to be very effective.

My comment in another thread of having a Barrett on board still stands. A few rounds dropping in from 1500 yards is likely going to make them think of other prey. Who knows, might get lucky :) Their boat is a fairly big target for a .50 bmg

You are talking pleasure vessels vs merchant ships. I'd never consider driving to Canada with my firearms. I would not sail through places that are pirate dens if I had a private vessel.

Commerical shipping is another matter, it has to get from point a to point b at lowest costs. Commercial shipping is run by responsible parties that adhere to all rules and regulations.

S*it holes tend to brew trouble.

Likely so but I think GM is going to be bankrupt soon.

I agree with you but who is going to build jobs in those countries? The US has an employment problem, I don't see the UN doing anything. Face it, they need to deal with their own problems.

Wes

One of my friends was solicited by Blackwater for work in Iraq a couple years ago, based on his service in Somalia. They offered a very nice salary. But I think a lot of their employees have been cut loose recently and are probably available for anti-pirate details.

Direct transit is the big one, apparently.

Not really. These matters are already governed by proper treaties. That and established Maritime Law.

Not really. Anyone is free to arm a merchant vessel Wes and if you do that there are consequences. Ship owners are making a financial decision here.

There were 33000 ship transits through the Gulf of Aden in 2008.

Do the math.

JC

"John R. Carroll" fired this volley in news:i2KFl.14635$% snipped-for-privacy@nlpi070.nbdc.sbc.com:

Yep! And the rest were attacked by Pirates, and taken.

(Them damn pilots just think they can take over!)

LLoyd

HAHAHAHAHHAHA!!! Those damned PILOTS!

JC

Wes

-- "Additionally as a security officer, I carry a gun to protect government officials but my life isn't worth protecting at home in their eyes." Dick Anthony Heller

Yeah it is.

Consider if it was 1 in 400 cars on the freeway.

Like Florida car-jacking?

Wear your NRA hat ;)

Oh hell, if you have something productive to do, go for it.

What ship? I was thinking you were land forces but you don't really lay out your life story.

I'm packing to go to

Wes

Perhaps, but it isn't your book and that's something you will have to learn to live with. Anyway, I'm to busy to mess with this Wes. I'd like to sign you up and I'm a plank owner. You ought to know what that means. We'd be pleased and honored to have you.

JC

Is that the number of cars delivering Pizza? ;-)

The ones where the car-jacker gets shot?

On Thu, 16 Apr 2009 16:46:01 -0400, the infamous Wes scrawled the following:

Agreed, and especially if by "pilots". (Who you talkin' to, Indy's little friend, Short Round? ;)