"RB" wrote in message
...
Roger Shoaf wrote:
"RB" wrote in message
...
Jeff Wisnia wrote:
Don't confuse what I'm about to write with something the first lady
said, but today I'm prouder than ever to be an american...

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,513238,00.html
What I want to know is why don't merchant vessels allow armed crews?
Some sort of international maritime law, or what?
Seems to me an arms locker of some sort on a ship ought to be a Good
Thing. After a couple rounds the pirates might look for a different
line of work. The survivors, that is.


Probably because the bean counters have figured out that it would cost
more
in the long run. Consider on one hand they might pay a ransom and get
back
the ship and crew, but if it comes to a fight, and the pirates are able
to
blow a hole in the ship they lose everything.

Think about being a sailor on a big cargo ship. You might have a rifle,
but
the pirates have rocket propelled grenades.

I wonder how much damage an RPG can do to a typical cargo vessel?

International maritime law prohibits the arming of merchant vessels. An
exception is made if they are classed as armed merchant cruisers. In
practice, the captain of most ships has a pistol or rifle, which is
tolerated.


Steve R.