Do ships have security against pirates?

Merchant ships now plying in high piracy affected areas such as Gulf of Aden (GOA) carry Armed Guards along with a series of non-lethal weaponry to thwart any kind of piracy attempt. Mentioned herein is a list of non-lethal anti-piracy weapons that are used or can be used to fight piracy at high seas.

Are machine guns legal in international waters?

In international waters, the laws of the flagged nation apply. That is, if you’re in a U.S.-flagged vessel, you can carry firearms in accordance with U.S. law. If you’re a U.K.-flagged vessel, you can carry firearms in accordance with U.K. law.

Why are container ships not armed?

Shipping companies have not wanted to arm crew members because of fears that merchant seamen were liable to cause more damage than they prevented, including the risk of inaccurate gun fire on an oil tanker or other vessel with flammable cargo. Even trained guards present problems.

How far out is international waters?

Defining International Waters Generally, international waters start around 200 nautical miles from the country’s shoreline and continue outward. To complicate it more, international waters are usually broken into sections, and different countries have various rights concerning these sections.

Could a merchant ship kill a pirate?

Specifically, since as a pirate is considered hostes humani generis(enemy of the human race), a merchant ship could kill pirates with impunity and probably pass any legal challenges in their next port of call. But merchant ships usually do not carry lethal ordinance for several reasons:

Why do pirates use unarmed speed boats?

Saves fuel + the reasons for being unarmed. Besides at its height, the dangerous region was very large as the speed boats usually docked with ocean-going support ships instead of the land ports; extending the effective range (and requiring a greater capital investment by the pirates to pay off).

Does the doctrine of universal jurisdiction apply to piracy?

However the doctrine of universal jurisdictiondoes apply against certain marine crimes such as piracy. Specifically, since as a pirate is considered hostes humani generis(enemy of the human race), a merchant ship could kill pirates with impunity and probably pass any legal challenges in their next port of call.

How did pirate ships differ from modern ships?

The pirate ships are small boats that would be easily sunk with a single torpedo or a heavy machine gun. The galleons were heavily armed. Why are contemporary cargo ships travelling unarmed in such dangerous regions? Are there any regulations in international law forbidding the use of heavy weapons in self-defense for private ship operators?