The private-enterprise response to piracy
posted at 10:19 am on December 10, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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Last week, we noted the attack on a passenger cruise ship sailing through the Gulf of Aden to the Indian Ocean by pirates, an attack that failed due to the superior speed of the ship. Cruise passengers paid attention, and now have a workaround for their overseas adventures in South Asia. Instead of remaining on the cruise ship, they’ve sparked a growth industry in tourist flights that allow them to bypass the pirates:
A cruise ship headed for the pirate-infested Gulf of Aden docked Wednesday in Yemen to let off hundreds of passengers so they could bypass the dangerous waters by plane before rejoining the ship at its next port of call.
The M/S Columbus arrived in the western Yemeni port of Hodeida, where 420 passengers and crew were taking charter flights to Dubai on the other side of the Arabian Peninsula. The ship will continue with a limited crew through the Gulf of Aden, where Somali pirates have targeted commercial ships, cruise liners and yachts. …
The Hamburg, Germany-based Hapag-Lloyd cruise company said Tuesday that it was taking the precaution of removing the Columbus cruise passengers because the German government denied its request for a security escort through the gulf.
Some 115 of the ship’s passengers arrived in Dubai Wednesday afternoon.
Not all of the passengers thought this was a good solution. One expressed concern with, and solidarity for the crew, which had to risk the Aden passage. Other cruise lines have begun avoiding the region altogether, preferring not to present such lucrative targets until international navies take better control of the seas around the Horn of Africa.
Pirates released a Greek merchant ship yesterday with its 19-man crew intact and in good health. They still have two major ships in their possession, including the supertanker seized last month. The second ship is more troubling — they have a Ukrainian ship loaded with tanks and heavy weapons. They may decide to make use of that materiel rather than ransom it off to protect their enclaves on the Somali coast.
Meanwhile, the Eu announced that it will relieve a NATO force five days early in the Gulf of Aden patrols. With cruise ships getting attacked, the call for greater force to be applied to piracy will make these efforts more politically viable for the short run. If they start sinking the pirate ships, their job will get a lot easier.
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Speaking of private enterprise, some cruise line director ought to advertise that their ships don’t go to Yemen, or Aden, or anywhere else dangerous. Isn’t that better than the “solution” Hapag-Lloyd came up with?
JiangxiDad on December 10, 2008 at 10:22 AM
Pirates are despicable. I am glad they are letting private enterprises deal with it though. Somehow, that always seems to work better. I think it has something to do with incentives and self-interest…
Aronne on December 10, 2008 at 10:22 AM
I would like to start a new sport. Cruisin’ for Pirates. People interested in marksmanship can pay to board the ships loaded with plenty of firearms and ammo. Shouldn’t take more than a few of those excursions to clean up the mess.
kirkill on December 10, 2008 at 10:24 AM
I believe weaponizing the ships would be a better option, and would provide some entertainment value to the passengers as well.
Vashta.Nerada on December 10, 2008 at 10:26 AM
I was thinking it would be a great opportunity for outfits like Blackwater to provide security, unless the passengers are willing to arm themselves.
I like it. Where can I sign up?
MadisonConservative on December 10, 2008 at 10:26 AM
The bypass flights were undoubtedly the result of pressure from the vessel owners’ P&I (protection and indemnity) clubs, or the vessel owners themselves. Acts of piracy are commonly listed as among uninsured risks in marine insurance contracts.
SWLiP on December 10, 2008 at 10:28 AM
Ed, Is that pronounced the same as EEEWWW?
thomasaur on December 10, 2008 at 10:29 AM
Here’s the problem…the shipping companies are enabling the piracy by shrugging off the risk and paying the ransoms (which of course funds terrorism). Their insurers will charge them exorbitant premiums if they carry weapons, yet they’re probably underwriting the ransoms.
flipflop on December 10, 2008 at 10:30 AM
The cruise ships should provide security. It’s cheaper than us taxpayers having to fund policing missions in Africa.
lodge on December 10, 2008 at 10:30 AM
Should be to blow those b@$t@rd$ out of the water with the biggest firepower they can get ‘hold of.
Bob's Kid on December 10, 2008 at 10:31 AM
Avast ye maties! Arrr!
pseudonominus on December 10, 2008 at 10:32 AM
I was hoping the “private enterprise” solution was the Blackwater solution.
strictnein on December 10, 2008 at 10:33 AM
I think training the passengers in the use of AR-15 should cut down on pirate attacks. That could be a new reality show.
“Pirates off the Somalia Coast – target practice”
izoneguy on December 10, 2008 at 10:33 AM
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Q-ship
Its been done before…and probably should be done again now. 20 mm Vulcans, CIWS, 40 mm Bofors or the every popular Ma-Deuce (M2HB 0.50 caliber machine gun for you who aren’t weapon savvy)
TexasEngineer on December 10, 2008 at 10:33 AM
And of course we read where the “non-violence” security team from a British company jumped ship when they couldn’t stop the pirates with fire hoses and a sound device.
Yah- my super megaphone playing Wayne Newton “Danke Schoen” v your RPG and/or AK 47.
That sounds like an equitable match-up!
I’ll take my 308/Barrett 50 BMG if it’s all the same.
Amendment X on December 10, 2008 at 10:35 AM
When I sailed the Caribbean and the South Pacific in the 70’s on various sailboats we were armed and dangerous. Piracy for sailboats was the number one game in town for drug smuggling. Had you approached our boat in open waters in a speedboat you would have been shot before you opened you mouth. It was that simple. Sailboats taken over had no surviving crew. This approach was a known given amongst world cruisers. Our toughest task was hiding the weapons from spot inspections in various ports.
The fact that today a crew on a tanker etc standing 50-100 feet above a series of small boats allows various crews to come above and take over is mind blowing.
patrick neid on December 10, 2008 at 10:35 AM
If I had the money to get it started up, I’d start a private enterprize of pirate hunting. Just go out there looking like a big target for pirates and when they attack, gun them all down. That ought to help alleviate the problem.
t.ferg on December 10, 2008 at 10:36 AM
Now, if this were the U.S., the solution is simple. Nationalize all shipping so the government has a stake. We’re almost there already. Pelosi would have a perfect excuse.
a capella on December 10, 2008 at 10:36 AM
An AWAC with a few weaponized drones would solve this shnit in a heart beat. There would be a new delicacy washing ashore for the villagers on the Gulf of Aden: Crispy Muslim Munch.
Alden Pyle on December 10, 2008 at 10:37 AM
Whack-A-Pirate tours – ships with vulcan cannons mounted around the main deck. Score and win prizes!
Shy Guy on December 10, 2008 at 10:37 AM
I’m all for it. I think a fully armed privateer fleet would be not only kind of awesome, but a good solution. Where’s zombie Stephen Decatur when we need him?
Fallen Sparrow on December 10, 2008 at 10:38 AM
Hiring the United States Navy. That would inject some foreign capital into the government and help pay down the debt.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on December 10, 2008 at 10:42 AM
NATO, huh?
Great.
MamaAJ on December 10, 2008 at 10:42 AM
Sigh, nice idea, but the problem is the UN, and current International law.
Any mistake at all, and suddenly you are doing the same dance as the Blackwater guys from Iraq… ie… you are up on charges in an AMERICAN court.
Romeo13 on December 10, 2008 at 10:43 AM
You know how NRO hosts those mega cruises for the Republican swells? I’m thinking a HA sailboat with Captain Ed and Captain Patrick for the Republican nobodies. Call the boat the Hoi Polloi.
Seriously, your story sounds great. I would have loved to do that. Kill anyone?
JiangxiDad on December 10, 2008 at 10:50 AM
During WWII there were decoy ships, heavily armed freighters with hidden heavy weapons which could be deployed quickly, used for sub-bait or to capture enemy enemy freighters.
This seems like a good time to reopen the past and produce a few such ships; the savages would never know if the rusty tanker they are attacking is going to suddenly sprout miniguns and scatter them across the sea.
Bishop on December 10, 2008 at 10:52 AM
Ed, is the mass rioting in Greece not a bigger story than this? The Greek papers say the government and police are on the brink of collapse.
aengus on December 10, 2008 at 10:54 AM
I would not be surprised if people actually travelled to the region to watch piracy in action.
But really the Navy should just start blasting. Damn the U.N. – Full speed ahead!
Greek Fire on December 10, 2008 at 10:54 AM
Perhaps we’ll get some guidance from the UN, Obama, etc. as to which side they’re on. Then we’ll know if we need to resurrect the decoy ships. After all, the pirates are just victims of their primitive surroundings, imposed on them by the evil west, and the war against Islam.
(Oops,my bad, didn’t mean to mention the religion of the pirates)
JiangxiDad on December 10, 2008 at 10:55 AM
Sounds like we need a right to bare arms on the open seas.
Count to 10 on December 10, 2008 at 10:57 AM
Uhhh… didn’t know it was illegal to not have sleeves on the high seas…
Who knew?
LOL
Romeo13 on December 10, 2008 at 10:59 AM
That sounds like a good way to get a nice tan.
aengus on December 10, 2008 at 10:59 AM
Goldmine!
Announcing the NRA Buccaneer Cruise.
Sail the Gulf and Aden! Man and gunwales with your .308, 5.56, 7mm, .50. Share shooting techniques with your friends and family.
Call 1-800-Pirates to book your reservation today.
Limerick on December 10, 2008 at 11:06 AM
MamaAJ, thanks for the glimpse of our future foreign policy under the Obambi administration, unF’nbelievable!
What’s with the Germans, they’ve become a total waste of democracy. Maybe their sailors are to fat to crew a destroyer for fear it would sink. Me thinks they are afraid of the response by the huge Muslim population at home, looks like its game over for the Krauts.
dmann on December 10, 2008 at 11:07 AM
How about put a bounty on their heads? That’s private enterprise as well.
roux on December 10, 2008 at 11:09 AM
Surely we have a sub that could use some target practice?
mr.blacksheep on December 10, 2008 at 11:16 AM
Why don’t we put a few “Q” ships out there?? Armed ships disguised to look like helpless targets, but have enough firepower to trash a pirate vessel.
EasyEight on December 10, 2008 at 11:18 AM
I’m sorry, but docking in YEMEN to take a flight out? Uh, no thanks. I’ll take my chances aboard the cruise ship.
mimi1220 on December 10, 2008 at 11:19 AM
Excellent idea. “Your chance to win the Barrett .50, as used by these cruise-going partiers that splats the most pirates!”
mr.blacksheep on December 10, 2008 at 11:20 AM
SO THEIR HUMAN RIGHTS MEAN NOTHING TO YOU!!!!
/sarc off
thomasaur on December 10, 2008 at 11:25 AM
Sounds like a job for an outfit like Executive Outcomes, or some other efficient corporate military entity.
worlok on December 10, 2008 at 11:30 AM
Man, you could make big bucks with a pirate hunting cruise!
Fill it with a bunch of ‘right-wing gun nuts’ and have a blast!
Make money AND make the world a better place at the same time, a true win-win!
Tony737 on December 10, 2008 at 11:32 AM
Hey!! The cruise lines can mount 50 cals all around the ship and charge the passengers extra to take shots at the pirates!! Like the “Whack a Mole” game but deadly.
THIS WOULD WORK!
Bicyea on December 10, 2008 at 11:36 AM
Couple of drones with missiles would provide pretty cost-effective air cover at near-zero risk. Put it on the web and gamers would line up to pay-for-play. You could have your shoot-em-up Pirate Cruise without even having to leave home…
bofh on December 10, 2008 at 11:38 AM
A servo controlled Quad .50 caliber machine gun mount (with scattershield) installed on the bow and stern of each ship. Remote controlled T.V. and IR tracking sights. APIT (armor piercing incendiary tracer) ammunition. Open fire at 2000 yards and see how well the survivors can swim 200 miles in shark infested waters.
***
The U.S. Army Avenger anti-aircraft and anti-tank Humvees mount a four canister servo system. A 20 mm. cannon, anti-tank missiles, and IR anti-aircraft missiles fit in them–devastating to a speedboat.
***
Survivors could also get the LONG JOHN SILVER treatment. Yardarm swingings, keelhaulings, floggings, and plank walking in shark filled waters. The NRA would really like this cruise! Pirates would soon be a endangered species.
***
As far as PIRATE WENCHES–bring your own–there is a lot of AIDS in the pirate dens in that part of the world. Ditto for booze–bring your own–they may have antifreeze in their drinks.
***
John Bibb
rocketman on December 10, 2008 at 11:48 AM
Kind of like the viewers on the top of the Empire State Building. Pick up your tokens at the kiosk and get in line.
thomasaur on December 10, 2008 at 11:48 AM
Instead of manually man 50s why not CROWS station around ship. That way, toursts could do it from the provacy of the cabins just like another video game.
:)
El Coqui on December 10, 2008 at 11:56 AM
I looked up the Q-ships and their role in WWI and WWII. It seems that overall, they weren’t very successful.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Q-ship
That was kinda awesome, except for that last part about getting destroyed by U43. Sounds like the end of Master & Commander.
Kai on December 10, 2008 at 12:00 PM
Are you kidding me? A market solution? That is way too simple. Boycot a dangerous port? Seriously? How is life supposed to be interesting if you avoid all the danger and excitement?
People who book these cruises could also demonstrate free market principles by spending their dollars on cruises that avoid these places.
Troy Rasmussen on December 10, 2008 at 12:02 PM
As long as those ships are transiting from Hodeida to Dubai empty, the cruise line should offer two-day specials, where you can cruise from Hodeida to Dubai in style, and receive weapons training with AK-47s, RPGs, machine guns and other fun toys. A weekend dancing with Ma Deuce sounds like a heck of a lot of fun.
And if the pirates are foolish enough to attack, the passengers get to shoot at something more than a paper targets.
gridlock2 on December 10, 2008 at 12:05 PM
Floating UAVs manned by internet gamers … put several 20mm autocannon on them, and offer out for bid on ebay gunner control positions to anyone on the internet with a creditcard and a large credit limit.
Make the shooters pay up front, and pay per round expended.
Kristopher on December 10, 2008 at 12:17 PM
Where the hell is Christopher Walken and The Dogs of War in all of this. Doesn’t the world have mercenaries who would gladly go down there and be paid by these huge shipping companies (and governments) to take out these mo-fo’s?
grdred944 on December 10, 2008 at 12:29 PM
Maybe offer a lucrative ransom/bounty for pirate ships and let those adventurous free enterprising mercenaries go at it.
Aren’t there a bunch of Black Water company ex-employees or employees on leave looking to take up this call of pirate hunting?
I see a movie in the making or a video game…
albill on December 10, 2008 at 12:42 PM
The Hamburg, Germany-based Hapag-Lloyd cruise company said Tuesday that it was taking the precaution of removing the Columbus cruise passengers because the German government denied its request for a security escort through the gulf.
That’s because the security ecorts were busy escorting the hundreds of cases of Becks Beer & cases Bratwurst to their men in Afghanistan.
USMCDevilDog on December 10, 2008 at 12:47 PM
A one Sgt Shultz will be signing for the Beer & Bratwurst, danken.
USMCDevilDog on December 10, 2008 at 12:51 PM
Well this might be an extreme solution but if we really want to fool those pirates I say we should Rickroll em. When they’re close enough we ghetto blast those mofos so loud the cruise ship shakes. And the passengers are lined up on the rail doing a few cool Astley dance steps. End of problem.
PC14 on December 10, 2008 at 12:52 PM
Someone needs to draw a diagram or do a reenactment. I don’t get it either. Do they toss up a ladder or something?
nottakingsides on December 10, 2008 at 12:53 PM
We were never ever approached. Those days the San Blas islands were the most beautiful and dangerous islands off the coast of Panama and Columbia. These are easily some the most extraordinary islands in the Western Hemishere.
http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/01/10/travel/blas.php
http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2008/01/06/travel/20080106_EXPLORER_SLIDESHOW_3.html
http://www.galenfrysinger.com/Kuna_women.htm
a usual posted warning:
“The local people are usually friendly and welcoming of tourists. Be aware that drug smugglers are rumored to take advantage of this regions autonomy to smuggle drugs from Columbia without intervention by Panamanian authorities. Many large boats ply up and down the island chain, often with dubious characters on board. Use caution in your interactions with these people.”
patrick neid on December 10, 2008 at 1:01 PM
I rather think a honeypot operation, with a cruise ship or freighter absent passengers or real cargo, yet bristling with some persuasive weapons might convince the Somali pirates that there is a tad more than zero risk involved in their chosen profession. Let them play maritime roulette, the latest craze in Somali games of chance.
shaken on December 10, 2008 at 1:37 PM
The real private enterprise solution to piracy is to sell cruises to the Gulf of Aden for people who don’t want to hunt lions but do want to hunt pirates.
Qruise Ships, in other words (Q-Cruise-Ships).
Veeshir on December 10, 2008 at 2:08 PM
Didn’t we already fight a war over this kind of stuff?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbary_Wars
I think we need to start reading what our Founding Fathers really thought about Muslims and pirates.
Badger40 on December 10, 2008 at 2:16 PM
Extra charges for different types of ammunition, dial-up rates may apply.
Is there a 14-day free trial I can download?
Seriously, though… while it’s fun to consider that, or armed passengers (like old African safaris), those solutions may present certain… problems… of their own.
I do have to wonder, though, why the cruise lines aren’t arming the crew.
malclave on December 10, 2008 at 2:20 PM
They could market it as a “Pirate Adventure Cruise!”.
ronsfi on December 10, 2008 at 2:41 PM
My niece’s husband is a retired force recon gunny. He was recently contacted and offered $250k to spend a year escorting ships through this area. He took a pass on that offer.
DrW on December 10, 2008 at 2:43 PM
Why? Despite the obvious it doesn’t really sound all that dangerous and its a goodly amount of money. Or is he expected to operate under rediculous limitations that would make his job too difficult?
Just curious why he passed on the deal.
RAB on December 10, 2008 at 4:43 PM
I’ll need a ticket for myself and my son-in-law…
oldleprechaun on December 10, 2008 at 4:51 PM
I heard on the radio that companies who are getting fed up with pirates are now in talks with Black Water. If that happens, those pirates are in for a big suprise….
Hog Wild on December 10, 2008 at 6:54 PM
Capture a couple of the bastards and set them adrift near shore, bound and gagged with pig entrails, and with pork sausage stuffed in every available orifice.
Awww. That wouldn’t be humane. What was I thinking?
hillbillyjim on December 11, 2008 at 4:40 AM
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