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**regfortruegoo** · 03-05-2010, 04:33 AM

Most people who fear death have probably already factored that by not engaging in it given it's an inherently dangerous profession by nature. Pirates are getting killed as we speak; that hasn't deterred it.

Not really, and partially for the reason you list next. The pirates may believe that one day, if they keep attacking ship, they'll be caught; but the chance of such a thing happening per attack is so low as to be negligible. Traditionally, force is the only strategy that's been effective in dealing with large-scale piracy.

Also, patrolling for pirates is very difficult given the nature of the ocean. It's one reason, for example, that the convoy system worked so well in both World Wars. When ships are brought together in packs, it actually made them harder to find and spot by the enemy given the vastness of the ocean. It also made the ships easier to protect. A convoy system for these areas might be one defensive solution in that regard if they can be organized effectively. It's also wise that shipping crews are starting to take stronger security measures on their own ships. The bigger issue, however, is how to end piracy, and such ideas will take more than just that IMO.

That might work to some degree, I suppose; having ships assemble in the Atlantic and escorted by warships thru the Indian at set intervals, but they'd still be vulnerable in the Suez. It would slow down shipping, and undoubtedly there would those who would decide to go it alone, as they'd be paid extra for arriving early. They'd be the most likely targets for piracy.

A blockade of the ports in question could also work; that is putting warships 15-20 off the coast and sinking anyone that decided to venture beyond that point.

03-05-2010, 04:33 AM	#17
regfortruegoo Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 521 Senior Member	Most people who fear death have probably already factored that by not engaging in it given it's an inherently dangerous profession by nature. Pirates are getting killed as we speak; that hasn't deterred it. Not really, and partially for the reason you list next. The pirates may believe that one day, if they keep attacking ship, they'll be caught; but the chance of such a thing happening per attack is so low as to be negligible. Traditionally, force is the only strategy that's been effective in dealing with large-scale piracy. Also, patrolling for pirates is very difficult given the nature of the ocean. It's one reason, for example, that the convoy system worked so well in both World Wars. When ships are brought together in packs, it actually made them harder to find and spot by the enemy given the vastness of the ocean. It also made the ships easier to protect. A convoy system for these areas might be one defensive solution in that regard if they can be organized effectively. It's also wise that shipping crews are starting to take stronger security measures on their own ships. The bigger issue, however, is how to end piracy, and such ideas will take more than just that IMO. That might work to some degree, I suppose; having ships assemble in the Atlantic and escorted by warships thru the Indian at set intervals, but they'd still be vulnerable in the Suez. It would slow down shipping, and undoubtedly there would those who would decide to go it alone, as they'd be paid extra for arriving early. They'd be the most likely targets for piracy. A blockade of the ports in question could also work; that is putting warships 15-20 off the coast and sinking anyone that decided to venture beyond that point.
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