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Casey O'Donnell
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1 year ago
in Weapons Aboard Ship? | gCaptain.com on gCaptain
Capt. Mike,
How many people have you known that have survived real encounters with these folks? Because they have a real bad habit of beheading people - even if they get the money they are looking for.
I would agree that the best thing would be the sonic or electrical systems that keep people from boarding- but if your are on a ship that has no such system (they are prohibitively expensive- and shipping companies are usually too cheap to buy real protection) what can you do?
If you are worried about wackos on your crew having guns aboard- Guess what? They already do- I have been on a few ships and I knew a couple sketchy guys that had guns locked up or hidden in the overhead. The guys you are afraid of don't pay attention to company policy or the law for that matter. I have also been on a ship that had guns and encouraged you to practice out at sea- skeet launcher and all!
When did we become so afraid to protect ourselves? I won't have my head cut off by some Somali nutjob.
How many people have you known that have survived real encounters with these folks? Because they have a real bad habit of beheading people - even if they get the money they are looking for.
I would agree that the best thing would be the sonic or electrical systems that keep people from boarding- but if your are on a ship that has no such system (they are prohibitively expensive- and shipping companies are usually too cheap to buy real protection) what can you do?
If you are worried about wackos on your crew having guns aboard- Guess what? They already do- I have been on a few ships and I knew a couple sketchy guys that had guns locked up or hidden in the overhead. The guys you are afraid of don't pay attention to company policy or the law for that matter. I have also been on a ship that had guns and encouraged you to practice out at sea- skeet launcher and all!
When did we become so afraid to protect ourselves? I won't have my head cut off by some Somali nutjob.
1 year ago
in Weapons Aboard Ship? | gCaptain.com on gCaptain
I don't neccesarily think that every crew member should carry a gun- although at Military Sealift Command we were all well armed on watch- when I was an AB watchstander a long time ago - I had a shotgun on gangway watch and I had sharpshooter duty on the bridgewings after 9/11. I think that If you are going to be sailing in these waters- you really need to look out for yourself. Somali pirates are not the type to let people live. You would be better off trying to kill a few of them as they board- you might scare them off. Having a large knife on you at a minimum- and them maybe some makeshift weapons. Fire extinguishers make good cover, fire hoses charged on deck can be used to repel hostiles. Large tools- air guns (a few engineers I have known have made potato guns on the ship) - anything to keep yourself alive.
Companies should be arming up- and providing small arms training for thier crews. I am of the opinion that it is ridiculous to go out into a dangerous environment without any protection. This is just another example of how the western world has gotten too soft- we are easy targets.
I would not reccommend doing anything that would break company policy or international law- but personally- I would like to have a sidearm on me if I thought I was at risk.
I am willing to bet that these poor sailors (the danish ship and maybe the others) are not going to be alive at the end of this ordeal. At least you can die with some dignity if you know you did everything you could to survive the attack.
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I have a strong maritime security background and military experience. I am an expert with guns and many experienced in hand weapons such as quarter staves, Nunchuk, Sai, and love archery. I have had a variety of martial arts training, and a retired Army father who is tough as nails.
The best offense is a strong defense! Never let the enemy catch you in a weak moment where you are not on the lookout.
Companies should be arming up- and providing small arms training for thier crews. I am of the opinion that it is ridiculous to go out into a dangerous environment without any protection. This is just another example of how the western world has gotten too soft- we are easy targets.
I would not reccommend doing anything that would break company policy or international law- but personally- I would like to have a sidearm on me if I thought I was at risk.
I am willing to bet that these poor sailors (the danish ship and maybe the others) are not going to be alive at the end of this ordeal. At least you can die with some dignity if you know you did everything you could to survive the attack.
------------------------------------------
I have a strong maritime security background and military experience. I am an expert with guns and many experienced in hand weapons such as quarter staves, Nunchuk, Sai, and love archery. I have had a variety of martial arts training, and a retired Army father who is tough as nails.
The best offense is a strong defense! Never let the enemy catch you in a weak moment where you are not on the lookout.
2 years ago
in The M/V Condoleezza Rice Photo on gCaptain
The M/V Condoleeza Rice - that looks a hell of a lot like an oil tanker... hmm do you think that maybe Bush named his new tanker fleet after his staff?
I wonder when we will see the m/v Dick Cheney sailing away from the middle east with a full load of crude?
I wonder when we will see the m/v Dick Cheney sailing away from the middle east with a full load of crude?
