gCaptain - Latest Comments in Anti-Piracy Weapons – Top 10 For Future Use In Somalia

Re: Anti-Piracy Weapons – Top 10 For Future Use In Somalia

Jim Cowling — Tue, 26 May 2009 04:19:05 -0000

Well said Tom! My company (Shipguard) has a hundred former Royal Marines, an arsenal to die for (excuse the pun); and we can't get any business because they think we are going to start WW3! Hardly. I am becoming increasingly amazed and frustrated at how stupid people in high places can be. On one of our courses recently, we were audited by a top man from the UK Govt. While discussing search techniques, I started telling delegates what the law says about the use of force. He starting shouting that we can't use force. So I asked him what he would do when conducting a personal gate search if he found someone was carrying - he said 'You mustn't touch them, just follow them around and report if they do anything'. No wonder we're in such a mess. PC gone horribly wrong. We have a bunch of academic pen-pushers and box-tickers in charge who are afraid of litigation and have no practical experience and understanding of security. Idiots.

Re: Anti-Piracy Weapons – Top 10 For Future Use In Somalia

Tom — Mon, 25 May 2009 16:44:49 -0000

This is nuts. You name your town, anywhere in the USA and the local police are armed. They have a hand gun, shot gun and an AR-15. Who are they armed against? US citizens who might give them trouble. Evey bank, 7-11, etc, has someone pick up and or deliver money, these guys are armed. A cargo vessel or tanker has 100's of millions of dollars worth of cargo. No armed protection? Only willing to use non lethal defenses? WTF? Who are these pirates that are armed with heavy machine guns and rockets willing to kidnap and kill ship crews that they deserve to have non lethal force when the average US citizen does not get this? Why are we going through all this expense robot boats super speakers and other contortions when a 50 cal and a few big guns is what is needed. I am sure there are plenty of cargo ships out there that are independently armed to the teeth. I have no doubt on this. It's not reported by the PC press. But its time we take this threat seriously a deal with it.

Re: Anti-Piracy Weapons – Top 10 For Future Use In Somalia

Smudge — Fri, 22 May 2009 19:16:29 -0000

Yeah I've heard that about LRAD company too. Much more promising is the Magnetic Audio Device or MAD, which I've used loads of time as a private security contractor onboard ships doing Gulf of Aden transits. its much easier to move and compared to the LRAD and Hyperspikes that Ive used is more powerful. We combined it with a makeshift electrified fence around the vessels freeboard on one transit and the pirates didnt even bother firing, they just turned and went and attacked another ship behind us, which they hijacked!

Re: Anti-Piracy Weapons – Top 10 For Future Use In Somalia

ryan — Tue, 05 May 2009 02:04:22 -0000

i dont understand this crap about non leathal weaponry they are pirates, the shipping comarny should buy an ar-15 for the crew, train them how to use it and arm the ship with a few 20mm cannons, much less expensive than paying ransom, much more effective than some speaker crap.

Re: Anti-Piracy Weapons – Top 10 For Future Use In Somalia

Steven Decatur — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 21:38:57 -0000

Thomas Jefferson would call this a wimpy response. Truth is, the solution is to pull into their ports and shell their towns. Much as the US Navy did during the Barbery Pirate's actions. Further, the merchantmen need to protect themselves ACTIVELY. This means they need to be armed in some manner. There is no reason a container carrier couldn't carry a couple of pods with some BOFORS cannons and blow the scumbags out of the water. Further, individual scumbags found at sea should be SUMMARILY hung by the ship's captain that catches them. No need for trial. It's the high seas. Much like the law of land warfare - there is solution already for this type of behavior but folks are too squeamish to apply them. There is no right to due process for non Americans. So screwem.

Re: Anti-Piracy Weapons – Top 10 For Future Use In Somalia

Jim Cowling — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 03:08:49 -0000

Weapons are a proven deterrent. Not one armed vessel has been hijacked. End of story. A very visible team of ex-RM types armed with HV and intelligently applied razor-wire will send pirates elsewhere. Regards, JimC www.shipguard.eu

Re: Anti-Piracy Weapons – Top 10 For Future Use In Somalia

Tom Ascher — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:40:50 -0000

Simple solution. Have cargo ships equipped with device that takes out steering when attacked. Then, pirates have no way to bring booty home. Ship will just meander out of control until navy vessels can arrive and confront.

Re: Anti-Piracy Weapons – Top 10 For Future Use In Somalia

Adamek Yak — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 13:52:43 -0000

The UN should get together and clean up the whole coast line of Somalia along with the pirates. If they do not it will grow a lot worse. Let us not look for small solution. The only thing the pirates will respect is force.

Re: Anti-Piracy Weapons – Top 10 For Future Use In Somalia

john — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 21:45:02 -0000

just shoot them simple and stop all this nonsese

Re: Anti-Piracy Weapons – Top 10 For Future Use In Somalia

Pirate Slayer — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 20:25:38 -0000

LRAD as a weapon? what a laugh it's a friggin speaker and not even a good one at that!
ATC has forever lied and BS'd the media on the capability of the LRAD and nothing Woody Norris ever sells goes anywhere, he's in the business of selling stock shares these day's and could care less if the company ever show's a dime to the investors 15 years and counting!
Media take note Elwood Norris and his band of stooges only lie when they are talking.

Give me a belt fed BMG MA-Duece and I'll cure your somalia problem and it won't cost ya 35k for a worthless toy noisemaker.

Re: Anti-Piracy Weapons – Top 10 For Future Use In Somalia

aden mohamed — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 06:21:05 -0000

read the anti pirate weapons,but it seems the pirates are too tough to handle! why take so much time to tame em? the somalis are........

Re: Anti-Piracy Weapons – Top 10 For Future Use In Somalia

ziptang — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 04:33:39 -0000

I don't understand all this non-lethal crap.

Real Q-ships, armed with Hellfire, Phalanx, twin .50 mounts, and a platoon of Marines. Problem solved.

Re: Anti-Piracy Weapons – Top 10 For Future Use In Somalia

Aziz — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 22:06:29 -0000

Has anyone thought about upending the pirates by sending bogey bait ships with armed teams to take them down?

Re: Anti-Piracy Weapons – Top 10 For Future Use In Somalia

Andy — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 20:55:41 -0000

Hi, I would like to say, LRAD isn't the best option, we have trialled with SBS in Poole UK, (This is our companies Background) and a number of guys walked upto it. Not only this the pirates will just put thinks in there ears. Our company supplies training and equipment for maritime security, These include Running Gear Entanglement system, Covert detection equipment, which fires out smoke, CS & Flash crash, thermal imagery, to give advanced warning. etc etc, None lethal you do have to take in many considerations, But if worked with Lethal as a last resort , This gives a better legal footing. As you have taken all precautions necessary with none lethal equipment, to stop boarding. You then take a lethal approach As last resort. There are many ways to skin a cat and every incident will be differant from the last.
So Good training to all crew for Anti Piracy , Maybe enough to stop your vessel be taken and your crew being taken as hostage. We run a 5 day course for crews, on Maritime hostile enviroment. please feel free to contact andy@gatorglobal.co.uk

Re: Anti-Piracy Weapons – Top 10 For Future Use In Somalia

Hugo — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 04:48:36 -0000

I think it is a bit opportunistic to think that above measures will stop pirates, espicially when nowadays they are heavily armed with rocket launchers, machine guns, grenades, which are produced somewhere as well.
Best solution is to finally recognize that poverty needs to be eradicated, only then will the seeds of piracy and terrorism be washed away.
Incentive for piracy is money, if people earn money in different ways, ti support themselve san dbuild up their lives, it take s away the incentive.

Re: Anti-Piracy Weapons – Top 10 For Future Use In Somalia

JGalt — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 14:24:06 -0000

LRAD is the best solution set. They are the product evaluated and selected by the US Navy to meet stringent operational requirements. Additionally, their systems performance has been verified by joint testing - perhaps this is why the US Army recently posted a sole source statement WRT LRAD products. Bottom line, LRAD X-series is the best AHD out there, and of the 10 listed options, the best non-lethal capability to determine intent and deter hostile targets.

Re: Anti-Piracy Weapons – Top 10 For Future Use In Somalia

John Galt — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 14:18:53 -0000

Regardless of the Wattre employee's garbage spewed above, LRAD is the industry leading capability as tested and verified by the services. HS-24 makes a lot of claims, but they have not made headway in the market for a reason - LRAD products are better. US Navy has selected LRAD as their AHD provider, and recently the US Army has issued a sole source statement which precludes procurement. Pretty darn clear what joint evaluation has discovered as to which AHD is best in the market....LRAD.

Re: Anti-Piracy Weapons – Top 10 For Future Use In Somalia

Hector — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 12:34:44 -0000

LRAD is the best solution.

Re: Anti-Piracy Weapons – Top 10 For Future Use In Somalia

Fred Parle — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 12:12:11 -0000

As an engineer I read your suggestions with delight. In my book a total waste of good money. A .308 Magnum Elephant Rifle with laser sights will take out a Yamaha Outboard Engine they use at 500 yards night or day. Without any alternative
propulsion the pirate boats will have to call on their mobile phones for help. Take out the Phone receiver/transmitters with a missile and pirates cannot communicate . After 47 days with a Kalitchnikov at my back I believe that I may be talking from experience , not unworkable or unsustainable dreaming and spin bullshit. Imagine the spare parts for those gizmos alone. Keep it simple and ask the lads and lassies sorry mamseilles, who have been there done that and survived. Vive Le France. Freddo

Re: Anti-Piracy Weapons – Top 10 For Future Use In Somalia

gcaptain — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 02:21:52 -0000

Good luck with that! ;)

Re: Anti-Piracy Weapons – Top 10 For Future Use In Somalia

Ben Dinsmore — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 01:12:01 -0000

I am afraid that the only weapons we have on ship out of those listed is the fire hose and fire monitor!.

I'm going to put a requisition in with corporate and see if we can get a couple of those lightening trucks!

Re: Anti-Piracy Weapons – Top 10 For Future Use In Somalia

henningp — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 11:03:32 -0000

No. 1 is definitely true - as long as the problem does not affect you/ your ship/ your family...
From the vessel's point of view nothing else can be done as to be vigilant and alert warships in the vicinity - there is the problem: there are not enough warships in the vicinity, and they do not have a clear order for engagement!
Danish fregate brings SOmali Pirates back to Somali beach because they do not know what to do with them.... mmmm

More navy to create and protect a safe corridor through the Gulf of Aden!

Re: Anti-Piracy Weapons – Top 10 For Future Use In Somalia

Alpha Juliette — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 07:22:41 -0000

Acoustic Hailing devices are step one in the process to determine intent. Once intent is established escalation to a non lethal and subsequent lethal response is warranted.

The LRAD is not the only game in town the Hyperspike 24 kicks butt on the LRAD in range, size, weight and cost - all critical items when deploying on a ship or platform - have a look at wattre.com.

Also the LRAD company looks shaky from the financial perspective they have lost 87% of stock value in the last year - ticker ATCO.

Re: Anti-Piracy Weapons – Top 10 For Future Use In Somalia

OldSailor — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 06:43:13 -0000

On many occasions, the ship comes to know only after the pirates have already boarded the vessel. You need more man power and alert lookouts. Also pirates are heavily armed and they approach in speed boats. Only warships can deter them.

Re: Anti-Piracy Weapons – Top 10 For Future Use In Somalia

Capt. Mike — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 02:44:10 -0000

Tim,

Yes and they can finally use that boat Blackwater bought from King's Point:
http://gcaptain.com/maritim...