Some thoughts on how to handle the pirate problem.

[lionkingcmsl]

The first idea is very possible, though expensive. The second is fantasy, but would work, I think. :=3






Reactivate the Iowa and Wisconsin and park them off of Somalia. Let the pirates know of their basic capabilities. "Just because we're not in sighting distance doesn't mean we can't make your life miserable. 15 miles away? No problem!"

Yes, I know the render is of the Missouri in her WW2 configuration, but it gets the idea across.

Now for the fantasy solution. :=3



What has got these pirates in shock?




Well, now we are getting a partial view of the deterrent. :=3




Why, its the Lion's Den. :=3

I think a starship that close to the water would deter anyone. :=3

Everything was rendered in Bryce 7 Pro.

Comments

[shockwave77598.livejournal.com]

There is too much area for one ship to protect - the pirates would just attack elsewhere. That ocean is huge man, huge.

I personally think sealing engineering with a preprogrammed computer to run the dangerous portions without human operators is the key. Let the pirates board. They can't stop the engines and they can't change the course, so they can't take the ship. And if they are still on board when the heavily armed crew gets back on board after the dangerous part of the trip is over... then their lives are forfeit. Take the profit out of boarding the ships.

[lowen-kind.livejournal.com]

The pirates also tend to attack cruise ships.

Let them know that the Iowas will be doing escort duty, but what ships they will be escorting will be kept secret. Let the pirates play "Russian Roulette" in choosing an unprotected ship.

Not only that, the Iowas are pretty damned fast. The "official" maximum speed is 33 knots (~ 38 mph: pretty startling for a ship of that size), however it has been revealed that the true max speed is classified.

[hossblacksilver.livejournal.com]

Honestly, I've thought they should bring back the Q-ships, made all the easier with the nature of container ships this day and age. Pirates come up to a lone container ship, close in just in time for some of the container's sides to dropping to reveal weapons pods of M61 Vulcan, GAU-8 Avenger miniguns along with smaller M-134s. Add in hidden launching facilities for helicopter gunships/VSTOL aircraft as well as armed anti-piracy troops to seal the deal. And being that it's containers, make them modular, the ship that was unarmed one time might not be next time.

[ladyfox7oaks.livejournal.com]

I like BOTH of these ideas, really... :D I agree that the second is probably in the realms of fantasy right now, and by the time we can actually DO it? Well... they'll have recycled Klingon Birds-of-prey, too!

[dhlawrence.livejournal.com]

Would certainly get the message across!

I'd be in favour of recognizing the independence of Somaliland, the portion of Somalia that used to be a British colony instead of an Italian colony. The locals there aren't too thrilled about the way things are going either, and have wanted to go their own way for a while. Independence (and a little bit of guidance, aid, and training) would make them a good ally in the fight against piracy, even though they're farther inland.

Somaliland's Independence

[(Anonymous)]

It is true they deserve to be rewarded. After the suffering from the black african tyranny they have rebuilt their country from the ashes. If there is any justice in this world these people need to be accepted as a new nation among the world community.