Pirates

[Joe Demko]

You guys keep talking about letters of marque as a kind of hunting license to go after pirates. After a little casual research on my part, a letter of marque doesn't seem to be any such thing. In fact, it is much closer to being a license to be a pirate. Here is one quick read on letters of marque.

 

[spiroxlii]

Historically, the line between piracy and privateering was very thin and blurry. You're right. Most privateers in history were basically state-sponsored pirates, but the recent 2001 bill that proposed reviving letters of marque in the USA was intended to target terrorists, It would be a way to commit military and/or paramilitary resources to the task of hunting down a terrorist group or individual.

 

[JWarren]

Joe's got it right. According to my casual research (read: I've watched The History Channel) a letter of Marque was basically endorsing Piracy against ships flying an enemy's flag. Those that the country endorsed got a cut of the take.

If I recall correctly, this was how Sir Walter Raleigh made his fortune. He was also accused of Piracy against ships of the Crown as I understand it.

Many Privateers (Read: Your Country's Pirates) turned to piracy against the ships of their own country if they hit lean times and it had been a while since they got a good ship.


-- John

 

[JWarren]

Historically, the line between piracy and privateering was very thin and blurry. You're right. Most privateers in history were basically state-sponsored pirates, but the recent 2001 bill that proposed reviving letters of marque in the USA was intended to target terrorists, It would be a way to commit military and/or paramilitary resources to the task of hunting down a terrorist group or individual.

I frankly think this is an excellent idea. Many of us LOVE capitalism and smaller goverment. Why not make a growth industry out of hunting terrorist? If they keep putting $25 million dollar bounties on heads of key figures, I'd invest in a stock that went after it. After all, you can now buy stock in NASCAR teams on the NASDAQ. Why not Blackwater? LOL

-- John

 

[Wes Janson]

So what's wrong with the Q-ship idea?

 

[JWarren]

So what's wrong with the Q-ship idea?

Wes,

Nothing wrong on the surface. I like the idea. But I do see one potential flaw:


Now, I am no expert on this subject AT ALL. But I did watch an interesting show on modern Piracy on History Channel, A&E or something... and yeah, I know... hardly an exhaustive study.

But it did highlight a few things. First, in many locales, someone in the local authorities often is part of the rings operating in their area. This makes the potential that the pirates would know about the ship more pausable.

Second, it would take only a couple hits in an area before EVERY potential pirate would now EVERYYHING about the appearance and call letters of that particular ship. You'd have to move it out of that area after a hit or two. It may be a lot of cost to outfit enough ships to have variance in class, appearance, etc. It would be difficult to keep it under wraps from some local authorities and still get cooperation.

That's just my casual take on it.

-- John

 

[ColinthePilot]

I'm a half-owner on a 23' sailboat, the Bad Example. My buddy and I took our new 40 year old vessel to the Florida Keys for a week of spring break sailing. We had both seen the TV documentaries on pirates around the world, and even though this was what we believed to be a civilized area, we went packin. We both hold FL CCW's so legalities weren't much of an issue. We had my 9mm carry weapon (Taurus PT111) and his Mossberg 500 12ga with double pistol grips, a 10/22, (we had heard fun stories about plinking "Corona buoys." we were more responsible) and a harpoon gun. Thankfully, we had no use for any of them, but we were living on the boat, mostly anchored a few hundred yards offshore. When seconds count, the coastguard is only 40min away (which we did confirm that week. I'm not gonna tell the story here since its not relevant but if the sailors here want to hear it, PM me.)

 

[Dave in PA]

B.O.A.T = Bring Out Another Thousand

Two happiest days in a boat owners life: The day he buys it and the day he sells it.

I figure I'd like a belt fed automatic weapon, at least 30 caliber mounted on deck if I were going on the high seas.

 

[Warren]

There are private organizations that provide "maritime security". I believe it was in SOF that I read about one such team. They worked off the mid to south west (IIRC) coast of Africa using a lure boat and a speedboat. Pirates would come out and...never be seen again.

For private defense a crossbow might work. Or as mentioned a speargun. Same idea really.

Having a good watchdog on board would give you precious seconds to react.

A cattle prod attached to marine battery might be useful. If expecting officials just break it down and spread the pieces about.

A good collection of blades, including axes should be aboard.

A blindingly bright light, some super candle power monster should also be aboard. Maybe one in each cabin.

For a better projectile weapon how about an air gun? Pre-charged off a scuba tank, that uses round "lead sinkers" for ammo and when disassembled just looks like some metal pipes and some valve work.

Also, maybe a percussion gun? Keep the powder hidden in the kitchen amongst the coffee and spices, "llead sinkers" again and the caps in with some craft supplies. The gun itself a simple (but previously and safely tested) design that when broken down looks like nothing more than small plumbing fittings. Maybe even a flintlock with the flint(s) appearing as jewelry around a pretty neck. With the lock(s) in the small parts bin.

If you are lucky enough to be on a catamaran there will be escape hatches just above the waterline in each hull, if caught by official surprise these hatches could be used to dispose of un-findables

 

[mekender]

Quite a few missing ships (I'm talking about container-sized) have been discovered mysteriously re-registered by North Korea and re-crewed or sold with no sign of the original crews.

While piracy is still mostly a crime of opportunity, some are state-sponsored.

i know that there have been reports of at least a couple of dozen large supertanker sized ships that have gone missing in waters commonly pirated by muslim groups in the south pacific islands

 

[Rshooter]

I say we send the Navy in:

USMC - OOH RAH...

 

[TallPine]

it would take only a couple hits in an area before EVERY potential pirate would now EVERYYHING about the appearance and call letters of that particular ship

Not if none of the entrapped pirates survived the encounter


Joshua Slocum successfully defended himself from barefoot Fuegan pirates with carpet tacks spread around the deck. Of course, he also carried a number of firearms which was legal in those days. But he was somewhat loathe to actually use them as Capt Slocum had already shot and killed one violent crewmember and stood trial and was acquitted in some South American country.

 

[Tokugawa]

"As if that wasn’t crazy enough my wife's sister, upon return, tells me that she’s glade no one had a gun or tried to defend themselves. She said even if there was a SEAL on board she didn’t want them to try and stop the pirates. After going though an ordeal like this she feels even more grounded that you should never resist, let them do what they will and they will let you go."


I suspect if she had been raped for a few hours or watched folk being tortured she may have reached a different conclusion. She is still unwilling to take off the blinders and accept there really are nasty people in the world. And she is clinging to this because the only other explanation is that she was just very, very lucky, and that is just too frightening to contemplate.

 

[wheelgunslinger]

Letters of Marque? That's just really a fun idea.
American Sea Dogs.

I'm in. Get your Mysterious Ron P. elected and let's get this party started.

 

[Wes Janson]

Not if none of the entrapped pirates survived the encounter

Bingo...just be sure you get 'em all.