Ships need armed guards to fight piracy, says US Navy commander
April 14th, 2009 - 2:59 am ICT by IANSWashington, April 14 (Xinhua) A US military commander has urged the shipping companies to hire armed guards to protect their cargo vessels from Somali pirates.
Vice Admiral Bill Gortney, in charge of the US Navy’s Central Command fleet, said in a CNN interview Monday that shipping companies needed a last line of defence against pirates, including armed guards and barbed wire around the lower parts of the ship.
Somali piracy have come under spotlight after US cargo ship Maersk Alabama was attacked by pirates last week, the first case involving a US vessel in more than 200 years.
More than 100 ships have been attacked by pirates off the coast of Somalia last year, according to an estimate.
- Somalian pirates attack US ship for second time in seven months - Nov 19, 2009
- British Navy nabs 13 Somali pirates - Jan 14, 2012
- Indian Govt. mulling idea of having armed guards on merchant ships - Mar 15, 2011
- Cargo ships may have armed guards to fight pirates - Mar 15, 2011
- Indonesian troops prepare hostage rescue operation against Somali pirates - Apr 14, 2011
- Indian warship thwarts pirate attack on Greek vessel - Jul 19, 2011
- Snipers kill three pirates, free US ship captain (Lead) - Apr 13, 2009
- US captain's rescue may mean trouble for other hostages - Apr 14, 2009
- Another piracy attempt foiled, 16 pirates held - Mar 27, 2011
- Pirates attack Maersk Alabama again - Nov 18, 2009
- Without UN effort, piracy elimination difficult: India - Jun 27, 2011
- Somali pirates links with terror groups being interrogated - Jan 31, 2011
- Larger deployment of forces will prevent pirate attacks: Navy Chief - Jan 31, 2011
- Pirate attack on Maersk Alabama - Nov 19, 2009
- Ex-SAS officers hired as "human bait" to protect vessels from Somali pirates: Wikilaeks - Feb 04, 2011
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