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An on-board security team repelled the attack by using evasive maneuvers, small-arms fire and a Long Range Acoustic Device, which can beam earsplitting alarm tones, the fleet said.

Vice Adm. Bill Gortney of the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, said the Maersk Alabama had followed the maritime industry's "best practices" in having a security team on board.
From the article:

"This is a great example of how merchant mariners can take proactive action to prevent being attacked and why we recommend that ships follow industry best practices if they're in high-risk areas," Gortney said in a statement.

However, Roger Middleton, a piracy expert at the London-based think tank Chatham House, said the international maritime community was still "solidly against" armed guards aboard vessels at sea, but that American ships have taken a different line than the rest of the international community."

Thank goodness that the American ships have taken a different tact than the "international community." Too bad our current administration doesn't do the same thing!!

What is Roger Middleton's solution? He has none. He sounds like an insurance stooge.

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Two .50cal M2s on each ship with someone who is well trained in their use will fix things in no time.

It all goes to prove the often proven fact that MORE guns deter gun crimes. All ships at sea should have a strong ability to repel unwelcome boardings. A simple armed security won't do the trick. It has to be big enough to repel the huge pirate force. At sea when any speed boat approaches a merchant ship, especially two from different sides as they do at times, they should be met with force immediately.

Like all other issues, people need to get serious about them or they will continue to be a challenge. What pirate in a little boat would be a match for superior firepower and gunmen willing to pull the trigger? Not many. Make shark food out of them and no one will complain.

sure glad at least some people still have some common sense. all these pirates should be blown out of the water like any other vicous animal !

I wrestle with this pirate situation when ever I think about it. i know plain well it is wrong. the problem I have is with the causes. my understanding are that between toxic dumping off the coast as well as over fishing the food supply AND the financial situation has worsened to this point. I will not defend the actions but I kind of understand. The U.N. and and most countries should have stepped in earlier. My fear is that this situation is exactly the type of situation that unsavory types and AlQuead have taken advantage of. Is it to late to make a difference, I'm not sure BUT I am also unsure of whether attacks on the country will help. I do believe that armed ships could be an answer. Maybe cooler heads can prevail? Could America see this as a chance to help the people rather than to just fight pirating?

Cooler heads prevailing against pirates packing machine guns and 50 cal. weapons? It is beyond that. And what of the millions and millions of dollars they are getting for ransoming ships and people? What terrorist organizations are getting the funding from that?

This isn't about environment issues or fishing, it is about power, control, brutality, and money.

There is no way to justify piracy to hold hundreds of captives for ransom. An international force should block and control Somali shorelines and ports.

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