Grandpa,
Thanks for posting that. My father and grandfather were both MEBA engineers, so this is something of a “family” issue for me. I appreciate all the seafaring unions coming together to argue the point that the US merchies are asking for the same benefit of law the average citizen is entitled to. Of course the curmudgeon in me would not be surprised that given the fact that the CG is part of DHS, their masters will be horrified at the idea of mere lowly civilians trying to defend themselves and will no doubt suggest something more effective, such as TSA detachments aboard each vessel to work 8-hour shifts wanding and x-raying all boarders for deadly weapons.

Excellent discussion. Thanks. I’m one of those blue water sailors (USCG master mariner) who felt the Quest made a serious error in judgement choosing to navigate those waters. Unfortunately, they died for their foolishness. I would like to see decisive action taken there to open up transit for recreational vessels, but I appreciate the complexities. Until then when going around I’ll take the Cape of Good Hope and hope the rogue waves don’t get me.
LR

The Somali pirates have caught more cruisers:

“Three Danish children and their parents have been snatched by pirates who hijacked their sailing boat in the Indian Ocean, Danish officials say.

Denmark’s foreign ministry said the children were aged between 12 and 16, and that two Danish crew members were also captured during the attack.

Pirates seized the boat on 24 February and were said to be heading to Somalia.”

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12600251

This is like the Barbary Pirates in the early 1800s: the great powers afraid to act decisively, so a resolute lesser power – us – goes in and cleans up.

If pirates and reasonably suspected pirates can no longer be hanged on sight, maybe it is time for Q Ship tactics: some SEALs masquerading as yachtspeople in a heavily armed and armored sailboat, etc. That might at least deter attacks on yachts.

God help those kids.

“Those who forget history are destined to repeat it.”

Have we forgotten the Barbary Wars? Specifically what it took to end the 2nd Barbary War? While admittedly the second wars focus was more on ending enslavement of Christians; piracy was at it’s root.

The Deys of Tunis and Tripoli were quickly cowed by power projection. Seeing ships of the line boldly sail into their harbors they understood the potential outcome.

Algeirs was another matter. Not only were relations argumentative they ended with the deaths of those that Lord Exmouth was sent to free.

In response he gathered one 50-gun ship and four frigates. However this was not a simple show of force, but a planned military action to bring Algeirs to the table. Lord Exmouth had already surveyed the port. He knew the lay of the guns; relatively strengths of the fortifications and weaknesses in their fields of fire.

Against criticism in the size of force he mustered; he chose economy of force to help with mobility.

After a stand off an errant Alergian shot erupted into battle.

Algeirs sustained a 9 hour long bombardment and the result under threats of continuance was the Algerian Dey sitting at the peace table and an end to piracy in the Mediteranean.

There may not be a rational actor. There is no Dey to influence. However just as there is no state actor the resources to resist is therefore lessened and the will to resist is even less resolute.

When the blood of pirates turns their sands red; When their safehavens no longer provide them shelter from the storms of fire at sea; when those they prey upon are walking fearless amongst their streets, piracy will end.