SSCA call to action to end piracy!

[David_Old_Jersey]

Originally Posted by BlueWaterSail

I think the SSCA's statement reveals a similar lack of appreciation for the complexity of the situation.

+1.

But fits nicely into the modern solution of crying "something must be done". and expecting others to pay for it

Governments haven't paid a penny of the ransoms to date (corporations and individuals have), and are doing what they can to patrol the area. The problem is that they constitutionally do not have the power to criminalize such payments,

All western governments already have the laws to criminalise such payments (and not just the handover, but the actual funding), and the US more than most - they just are not interested in doing so.

Co-ordinated action would be better (via the UN ) but just the EU & US (or the US alone) would be more than enough to cut the legs away from the Somali business model.........ship owners and ships can't run a business where they must avoid the EU & US and international waters where there ships could be seized in lieu of the Senior Management / Directors / Owners being based somewhere with no extradition treaties.

Military enforcement / rescue action just the icing on the cake.

Sometimes the answer is more paperwork (BTW don't anyone think for one moment that I would not be for crucifying every man, woman and child in Somali if I thought it was the best way to solve the problem - I am against that approach because it would be too expensive, and in practice some folks would no doubt object . especially those living in Somalia ).

[Sam Plan B]

Piracy is a micro economic model. The pirates themselves pocket a small percentage of the ransoms received. Money also goes to a wide range of shore side facilitators. Some of this goes to logistical support for the pirate vessels. Much also goes to buy (or rent) the cooperation of local authorities (war lords) who jail and feed hostiges. As with any vessel that ventures off shore, maintenance on the pirate fleet is relentless and expensive. There are many targets at fixed locations that if destroyed will seriously disrupt the pirate economy making it not only dangerous to the enablers but highly unprofitable to them as well.

The problem is, western governments just can't be bothered because they do not feel the pain in the pocket book. As long as insurance companies and private individuals pay the ransoms governments will focus their attention elsewhere. Conversely, it is in a government's best interest to keep their population unarmed. Heavily armed privateers patrolling Somali waters would help the situation but that is politically inacceptable to the home governments. It would demonstrate that the home government is impotent. Social revolutions have started over less.

So, it appears that the status quo will continue for the foreseeable future. The only viable alternative for the cruiser is to avoid the area or be prepared to travel well armed in defiance of home country law. That means, build a completely undetectable weapons locker or be prepared to dump overboard all your weapons before entering a western port.