subject: What You Can Do To Stop Pirates From Taking Your Ship And Your Life [print this page] Regardless of whatever the current crisis might be on the news it is seldom the first time it has been a problem, but all too often people forget how they dealt with the problem the last time. While there will always be crime piracy should really be a thing of the past or at least something we all can deal with, but if you're a merchant seamen you're being left to the sea wolves while the politicians debate what they should do, and they don't mind putting you in danger in the mean time.
President Obama has taken action, but he should simply follow Thomas Jefferson's example, and you should prepare for the worst. It takes a lot of character to sail out on the open sea, so use some of that character and add some training. The international community doesn't want you to have firearms on board, but you can still fight back.
When you bring up the topic of piracy most people think of Johnny Depp's Disney film Pirates of the Caribbean, but if you've ever had to deal with real sea going terrorists you know there is nothing funny about it. In earlier centuries a commercial vessel would be armed and protecting the ship would be handled by the crew, but as time went on and navies grew there was less need for maritime vessels to be armed.
World War II was the last time American merchant ships carried weapons and even than they were manned by navy personnel traveling with civilian crews. Now piracy off the coast of Somalia is becoming a problem, and in 2008 alone over 150 million has been paid to these cutthroats to prevent further violence. This the wrong message to send, and it will only put more sailors in danger.
Now if your career is at sea I don't need to tell you about all the danger and boredom that comes with the job, but when it comes to self defense you need to be ready. There are over a 1,000 active pirates in Somalia alone and their actions will inspire others to go to sea to make a fast buck rather than through fishing or commerce. When you see a boat filled with AK-47 wielding pirate you'll probably do your best to keep them from getting on board, but what do you do if they do get on your ship?
One crew simply barricaded themselves in one of the ship's compartments, but the pirates took their captain. Hostage that are taken have sometimes been held for over a month while the pirates wait for ransoms to be paid, and while their treatment has been humane do you really want to put your lives in their hands?
While international community is making efforts to deal with piracy the problem is still very real. Now you can wait to be captured or you can learn how to fight back, and even if you only get to train with our first few self defense system training modules you'll be better off, so when you're confronted you will be able to respond with training and not fear. When they threaten you with an AK-47 you'll know how to hurt them and disarm them, and if you carry weapons you'll learn how to use them better. It isn't your job to protect your employer's cargo, but staying alive is your number one priority, so have the tools to do it effectively. You don't need a training partner or an instructor, and what equipment you do need can easily fit in a duffel bag, so start training, and be ready to repel boarders not become a hostage.
