[timmyt (Banned)]

private security forces would be the best option and the most cost efficient.

[Young_Grasshopper]

Originally Posted by tuna

I'm sure Phillips is a good captain, but in this case he isn't making any sense.

Military escorts would be outrageously expensive and probably impossible given the number of merchant ships on the ocean. And you can arm the ships all you want at millions of dollars each, but the pirates will always be able to beat you. They have access to pretty much whatever weapons they need.

This would be a great job for the nuclear powered UAVs that are sometimes talked about. We tried nuclear powered planes in the 50's and 60's but we couldn't figure out how to adequately shield the crew. Nuclear UAVs that could fly at jet speed for months at a time could constantly patrol the area and go in for the kill when necessary.

Of course there are a lot of really cool applications for nuclear robot war planes.

Why do people think it's going to start an arms race? They see these boats as easy targets, that's why they're attacking them.

[timmyt (Banned)]

Originally Posted by Smart Parts Player12

Well that's where you are wrong. There are plenty of ships still stationed off the coast of Iraq to provide missile support.

We're trying to be "green" these days. escort ships are a massive waste of resources.

[phiend]

Originally Posted by Young_Grasshopper

Why do people think it's going to start an arms race? They see these boats as easy targets, that's why they're attacking them.

No they see these ships as the only source of income possible. I wouldn't call getting shot at by SEAL snipers or French military helicopters an easy target. They know the risks and still attack. Until they can obtain money elsewhere they will continue to engage in piracy. If you arm the ships, they'll arm themselves better and or attack in larger groups using more boats. As of yet, there has been little loss of life, the addition of weapons to the ships will only cause death for both sides.

[timmyt (Banned)]

Originally Posted by phiend

No they see these ships as the only source of income possible. I wouldn't call getting shot at by SEAL snipers or French military helicopters an easy target. They know the risks and still attack. Until they can obtain money elsewhere they will continue to engage in piracy. If you arm the ships, they'll arm themselves better and or attack in larger groups using more boats. As of yet, there has been little loss of life, the addition of weapons to the ships will only cause death for both sides.

Do you know how hard it is to board a ship when 10 snipers are picking you off on the ladder?

It's pretty hard.

More enemy boats doesn't guarantee victory. Sometimes, a smaller, properly trained force of a few can hold it down quite effectively. Didn't you see 300?

[T-Vizz the 2nd]

Originally Posted by 239baller

mark 19's is over kill and the average joe wouldn't know how to use it effectively

4 browning .50 mg's on the corners of the ship and maybe 2 LMG at the mid point. the rest of the crew armed with small arms.

Only reason I say mark 19 is because lets face it, no one messes with a mark 19.

Sure one or two guys could get trained with it.

[bnctaj]

Mark 19's are overkill when you consider what type of craft the pirates are using to hijack these tankers and ****.

[sNoW DeFiAnT]

They need to pay for it themselves, whether it be security contractors or just buying firearms for their crew. We pay for our home security systems. The government hasn't bought me a home defense shotgun so I don't see why these guys should be treated differently.

Of course some of them might not even bother purchasing any kind of protection as it might just be cheaper to pay the ransom. The same reasoning applies to why some banks don't use bulletproof glass, they'd lose more money installing the protection than they would if they just gave the cash to the robbers.