US Flagged Vessel Captured! UPDATE: Navy SEALS take out pirates

[Etienne]

Originally Posted by Neal Stevens

Rescue Fuels Debate Over Arming Crews



Honestly, I don't see why the US Navy just doesn't enforce a Somali no-sail zone. Somalia has no real government, just sink anything that hits the water over knee deep.

An excellent article. One of the best I've read on the subject.

The problem with a no-sail zone is picking out the legit fishermen. You start killing those people, their familly starve, their sons grow up and decide to avenge their fathers... Yeah. Last ship I was on, we had (for some reason) a guide to distinguishing Somali fishermen from pirates. It wasn't as simple as "shoot everyone wearing a ski mask".

A few helicopter carriers patrolling the areas, possibly setting their AIS to look like merchant ships... And something like an AWAC looking for swarms of small crafts. That might do the trick.