Its Time to Arm the Merchant Sailors

The dramatic story of the Maersk Alabama's ordeal off the east coast of Africa has led to a resurgence in the call to place arms aboard merchant ships. Many, if not most, countries have domestic regulations against bringing firearms into a the country while engaged in trade. Some also argue that weapons stored aboard a ship could be captured by terrorists and used against governments and militaries.

The International maritime Organization (IMO) could put its head together and develop a new construct that would protect ships who sail dangerous waters. Shortly after the attacks of 9-11, the IMO developed (with heavy pushing from the US) the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code establishing minimum security levels for port facilities. Ships coming from a non-compliant ISPS port would be subjected to extensive inspections prior to arriving in the US. Time is money for the shipping industry and unpredictable lengthy delays in port or at anchor waiting to enter port costs serious money, sometimes up to $10,000 an hour.

I say that it is time to take care of our own. Put arms back aboard US flagged ships and defend what is ours. Make it a requirement that ships carrying US government aid or materials be armed. Pirates are not going to pick on a ship that openly displays firearms. The pirates go after soft targets, unarmed targets.

Just like most cases, the US should take the lead on this issue through action. We should be the guinea pigs and let others see that it can be done. The ships of the old East India Company were armed and heavily manned to protect the valuable cargos. The EIC took care of their own, called at ports around the world and kept their cargos safe. Only a heavily armed pirate or privateer took on the ships of the East India Company.