cj's dad
04-13-2009, 10:40 AM
As a former card carrying member of the US Merchant Marine (NMU) in the 80's there are several items which should be addressed regarding the hijacking and the ability of an ocean going vessel to defend itself.
The MM is comprised of blue collar workers; i.e. the deck dept. and engine dept. There are both Ships officers and Engineers on board. The only weapons on board (handguns) are under lock and key and are only accessible to the Captain and Chief Mate or 1st Officer. Many ships carry crews as few as the teens (container ships) and as many as 30+, general cargo ships.
Ships at sea are sitting ducks. They are equipped with radar, communications, satellite navigation, etc and many more improvements that have come into play since the 80's. One thing they do not have is a crew trained and equipped with the heavy armaments needed to supress a raid. Small craft at sea, especially at night are detecteable by radar but are often dismissed as large mammals. Typically at night there are 3 persons on the bridge, the man at the helm (an able bodied seaman; ABS) the officer in charge and possibly a night watch, that's it !!
Due to the high cost of fuel and crew salaries, ships tend to travel in a straight line as much as possible from port to port.
Shipping lanes must be re-examined for safety and without consideration of additional fuel cost and delay in getting to the next port of call.
Boarding and capturing is obviously not that difficult.
The Allied Navy is the only defense on the open seas against these attacks.
The merchants travel plans should be filed ahead of time and hourly updates given as to location and safety.
Serious thought must be given to a plan to thwart these attacks immediately.
A mercenary crew must be in place with orders to kill any intruder on any vessel at sea.
Isn't it curious that these "pirates" have never attempted to hijack a US Naval vessel? Could it be that they are aware of the consequences? If the consequences for attacking a commercial vessel were unknown would not the chances of this decrease?
How is this different than an armed robber violating the confines of one's home??
Imagine an American passenger ship being captured and held for ransom.
Wake up BO and do the right thing. Appear on nationwide TV and declare all out support for the US Merchant Marine.
Do it now !!
The MM is comprised of blue collar workers; i.e. the deck dept. and engine dept. There are both Ships officers and Engineers on board. The only weapons on board (handguns) are under lock and key and are only accessible to the Captain and Chief Mate or 1st Officer. Many ships carry crews as few as the teens (container ships) and as many as 30+, general cargo ships.
Ships at sea are sitting ducks. They are equipped with radar, communications, satellite navigation, etc and many more improvements that have come into play since the 80's. One thing they do not have is a crew trained and equipped with the heavy armaments needed to supress a raid. Small craft at sea, especially at night are detecteable by radar but are often dismissed as large mammals. Typically at night there are 3 persons on the bridge, the man at the helm (an able bodied seaman; ABS) the officer in charge and possibly a night watch, that's it !!
Due to the high cost of fuel and crew salaries, ships tend to travel in a straight line as much as possible from port to port.
Shipping lanes must be re-examined for safety and without consideration of additional fuel cost and delay in getting to the next port of call.
Boarding and capturing is obviously not that difficult.
The Allied Navy is the only defense on the open seas against these attacks.
The merchants travel plans should be filed ahead of time and hourly updates given as to location and safety.
Serious thought must be given to a plan to thwart these attacks immediately.
A mercenary crew must be in place with orders to kill any intruder on any vessel at sea.
Isn't it curious that these "pirates" have never attempted to hijack a US Naval vessel? Could it be that they are aware of the consequences? If the consequences for attacking a commercial vessel were unknown would not the chances of this decrease?
How is this different than an armed robber violating the confines of one's home??
Imagine an American passenger ship being captured and held for ransom.
Wake up BO and do the right thing. Appear on nationwide TV and declare all out support for the US Merchant Marine.
Do it now !!