Somali Pirates

[macpappy]

The ships are not armed because there are regulations in just about every country prohibiting the vessels from carrying firearms.

The problem with someone outfitting a ship as a "privateer" (that used to be the term used for vessels sailing under say, the Spanish flag, and hunting down vessels of another country) is that you would become a bigger target than the pirates.

[icehog3]

Originally Posted by ahc4353

Al for President?

As soon as I move to Canada.

[Old Sailor]

Originally Posted by icehog3

As soon as I move to Canada.

Welcome to Canada, Admiral

[Old Sailor]

Humm.....ships are made of steel.....pirate boats, probably fiberglass......eat steel ya slimey little **** runem over!!

[DrDubzz]

Gun was an MK-11 from what I've read

google it

[mosesbotbol]

Originally Posted by Old Sailor

Humm.....ships are made of steel.....pirate boats, probably fiberglass......eat steel ya slimey little **** runem over!!

My neighbor is a merchant marine (just left for sea yesterday) and we've talked on this issue before. Making a wake is about the best the large ships can do. They are not nimble enough to start ramming pirate boats. They could easily sink them if they could.

Most of the pirates go for low sidewall boats and get on at night. The issue of preventing pirate attacks is more complex and has a risk vs. cost element to it that the shipping companies appear to be OK with.

[Old Sailor]

Originally Posted by mosesbotbol

My neighbor is a merchant marine (just left for sea yesterday) and we've talked on this issue before. Making a wake is about the best the large ships can do. They are not nimble enough to start ramming pirate boats. They could easily sink them if they could.

Most of the pirates go for low sidewall boats and get on at night. The issue of preventing pirate attacks is more complex and has a risk vs. cost element to it that the shipping companies appear to be OK with.

There are many ways to prevent boarding...we practice it all the time....for these ships, firehoses are the best bet.........if they get a boarding ladder up either cut it off, or a sledge hammer on top of the head as they come up works.

[SmokeyJoe]

Ok... now I see...

I have been mispronouncing it.

I have been saying SMELLY Pirates. My mistake.

[mosesbotbol]

Originally Posted by Old Sailor

There are many ways to prevent boarding...we practice it all the time....for these ships, firehoses are the best bet.........if they get a boarding ladder up either cut it off, or a sledge hammer on top of the head as they come up works.

He mentioned the fire hoses, but his ship is too big to cover the boat. He's on a tanker with a crew of 25. They like to board when the ship is full of oil so the sides aren't that high.