Captain Once Held By Pirates Urges Military Protection, Armed Crews

In this photo released by the U.S. Navy, Maersk-Alabama Capt. Richard Phillips, right, shakes hands with Lt. Cmdr. David Fowler, executive officer of USS Bainbridge after being rescued by U.S Naval Forces off the coast of Somalia on Sunday April 12, 2009. (AP Photo/ U.S. Navy)

From The L.A. Times:

Capt. Richard Phillips of the Maersk Alabama says, 'And I don't mean a security guard. I don't mean a mall cop. I mean someone who's sufficiently trained.' His boss disagrees.

Capt. Richard Phillips of the Maersk Alabama says, 'And I don't mean a security guard. I don't mean a mall cop. I mean someone who's sufficiently trained.' His boss disagrees.

Reporting from Washington -- The freed captain of a merchant ship attacked by pirates near Somalia last month called Thursday for military protection and armed crew members to thwart attacks in dangerous waters.

Capt. Richard Phillips, skipper of the Maersk Alabama, told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that it was the "responsibility of the U.S. government" to protect any ship flying an American flag, through military escorts or onboard squads of highly trained security forces.

Read more ....

My Comment: Having small arms on a ship will probably go a long way to deterring pirate attacks. But a more forceful response must be articulated to combat and eventually defeat naval piracy. Capt. Richard Phillips is looking at this problem from a non-economic point of view .... he wants to protect his men and ship .... the owner's view is broader with most of their attention directed at the bottom line.

Who is right .... I do not know. But I do expect some "middle ground" being established between these two points of view .... and adopted sooner rather than later.