According to an analysis by the International Maritime Bureau (IMB), several factors contribute to the capture of commercial vessels by pirates. Among the most obvious contributing factors were; low speed, low freeboard, inadequate planning and procedures, visibly low state of alert and/or evident self protective measures, and a slow response by the ship. The IMB analysis also reports that no successful attack has occurred on ships traveling in excess of 15 knots. The ship’s crew that have trained and planned for such an event has repelled the majority of attacks.
Best Management Practices to Deter Piracy in the Gulf of Aden and off the Coast of Somalia can be read at http://www.icc-ccs.org/images/stories/pdfs/bmp.pdf
The question for discussion today is; should commercial vessels transiting high-risk areas be armed or have armed military personnel on board while transiting these areas?
I would say that the cost would be less than a five-day standoff or paying millions of dollars for continued hostage rescue.
I would agree on the arming of the ships or possibly a requirement for the American ships to hire private security firms or Sea Marshals, similiar to the US Air Marshals Service on airlines, for cruising through dangeruos waterways. For the companies to "pay out" millions of dollars in extortion fees to "pirates" is rediculous. God bless the USN Seals and their aim.
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