Dealing with pirates

[dionysis]

We had a situation just recently where a well known sailor of a west coast Australian yacht club, was jailed in Indonesia for carrying a veritable arsenal a guns and ammunition. I can't remember off hand, but he had around 6 guns of various sorts and thousands of rounds. He said it was for protection against pirates. His boat looked like a small cargo ship. With diplomatic support he was allowed to leave jail, after extended wrangling.

I found some links; the initial story: the age and his release: smh

For those of us who do not live in a 'gun culture" (don't take offence - none is intended), it seems a little strange to hear all this talk of guns as tools. I suppose we in Australia are protected from this kind of reality of guns.

I'd be prepared for the worst and employ those preparations as the situation dictates. Approach the job with forethought, common sense and the proper tools in the hands of a journeyman.

In some parts of the world, guns and violence are taken for granted. We would do well to avoid such places. On the other hand if one is faced with no alternative but to defend themselves and their loved ones, then the proper tools and the requisite skills are mandatory.

I don't like this situation.

[Frosty]

Theres a lot of logic being discussed here where non can be applied. These people are a different religion, have little future, and have no concept of ownwership. You dont own that yacht and your money ,you just have it for a while . Now its there turn. Death is not so bad ,you will go to heaven, they are doing you a favour.
You'de better keep that gun clean stashed away in that marine envioronment or else --click oops. Then theres the other crew members who now know where the gun is --another problem!!!.
I guarantee you one thing, in no way will you handle the situation in any way that you think you will.

[dave L]

Dionysis...It was that exact situation that prompted me to start this thread. At that stage his case's outcome was uncertain. I actually assume that it was his deeper than normal pockets that eventually free'd him, but that is speculation and a certain distrust of "true" justice that a lot of asian countries seem to have.

I actually agree with the No Guns approach, and I quite like the polypropelene rope around the prop idea... thanks for that one Jack frost. Seems to be quite a bit of logic in the softly - softly approach. Still being an aussie and not being exposed to the gun culture I would not have the confidence to use firearms...let alone at sea.

Does anyone have any non-firearm suggestions to ward of pirates?

[dionysis]

When I first heard the story I thought there was something suspicious about the size of the arsenal, but from some of the contributions here. It may be quite acceptable.

A yacht is perhaps not so promising as a small recreational and supposedly rich freighter.

My other suggestions were to:

transit known hot spots in rough conditions. The rougher the better.

Travel at night. Bit this may worsen things because it would add tension to an already tense situation.

[Frosty]

There quite a few things you can do besides the polypropelene roap trick. Firstly it would be wise to travell with a few friends I have got myself out of trouble twice with a high power flash light. One was about 200miles south of Bankok off the millitay base of Satahip. A large vessel in the night came up to me very fast and circled me. he was hanging off my bows and was pushing me off course. I could see men running around the decks. I flashed the light on my rigging and sails( covering my eyes first) The vessel left immediately. It could have been a police boat I dont know.
Second was to wake up a wandering tug heading for Singapore in the Malaca straights. Maybe the load on the rope made him wander, but I could not get out of his way. A quick flash and I heard the engine shut down, obviously asleep.
If i was to be chased I would head out to sea, They will no doubt be in a power boat and therefore need diesel . He will not be so keen to chase you further from his fuel dock.
Never have women on deck unless they sit in mens clothing at the wheel. Dont pick up any thing that might be confused as a gun. Use a hand held radio and shout into it constantly as if you were communicating with some one ( they dont know). Shout down the companion way as if there were more crew down below. Steer away and start laying polypropelene. If they do get close at night flash the light at the helmsman. Then turn off your lights and do a 180 degree turn,-you might get away with it. Finally if some one did get on board i would hide below and wait, as he came down the stairs I would flash his eyes with the light and break both his legs with a 3x2.
I would not through him over the side for them to pick him up I would arrest him and hand him over to the next port. Ultimate proof of piracy

[cyclops]

There are 2 different groups here. Non-violent, don't hurt me. And , I will take down and kill as many of you as I can before you injure or kill ANY of my people. Weakness makes a bully more agressive. It comes down to " walk softly and carry as much of a stick as you can". Russian Kalashnakov assualt guns are the only weapon I KNOW will always operate and go thru anything in their way. That is probably what they should have to do their business. I want equal firepower. That weapon and a Poncho Via ammo belt with clips, for at least 3 shooting crew members, is the only thing I would cruise into known trouble. Always dress properly for any occasion.

[mackid068]

Well, never give in to terrorists like Neville Chamberlain and Hitler: Pre WWII, Brits gave part of Czech. to Nazis to appease them. Never appease bad people, scare them away: flare guns, black powder, tasers (they work at 15 ft. with laser sight!), air burst simulators (simulated mortar fire-w00t!, supposed to be easy to make if you know a bit about chemistry), pepperball guns (paintball like weapons firing pepper spray capcicain? balls, 60 ft. range), if you have $ electrify deck aside from cockpit (maybe?), a police boat flashing light (and siren!), perhaps rig "boarding nets" during night hours along with laying spikes of some sort (caltrops!), if being chased drop floating chaff to disable engines. ACTIVE DETERRENTS! DON'T LOOK LIKE A TARGET, DON'T DISPLAY WEALTH: don't look valuable, be able to speed up like crazy, maybe even hold a gun on you on deck?

[Sean Herron]

Hello...

I will take a Ruger over any clunky - wood and mild steel muck up wand - any day...

SH.

[cyclops]

Are Ruger's small caliber automatic target pistol weapons?

[mackid068]

Keep a small, accurate gun, but try scaring them or speeding away.

[Sean Herron]

Hello...

Ruger manufactures many semi auto hand guns and shotguns that have NO mild grade steel components or wood - all composites and stainless - photo shows a wood stock but you can get composite...

Throw it in the water - pick it out of the water and shoot it...

Bit of salt build up - throw the thing in the dishwasher...

Lovely...

A Kalishnikov is an idiot spay weapon for 3rd world 'so - so - soldiers' - great for knee jerkers who like to shoot at barn doors...

See http://www.ruger-firearms.com ...

The nearly all porcelain Glocks are another good go...

See http://www.glock.com/ ...

SH.

[Jack D Davis]

A Kalishnikov is an idiot spay weapon for 3rd world 'so - so - soldiers' - great for knee jerkers who like to shoot at barn doors...

......and miss the whole barn.

[mackid068]

Well, Kalishnikovs are supposed to be good...for the first shot, anyway.

[woodboat]

I have a mak90 (Chinese AK47) with a hell fire trigger and a simple issue muzzel brake. I am able to put an entire magazine into a large stuffed animal at about 75 feet in a 3 second time frame. The issue muzzle brake makes it very controlable on full auto. It is very accurate in semi mode. Very reliable gun.

[Sean Herron]

Hello...

Well - I can eat glue all day long...

So there...

SH.