NAIROBI, Kenya -- Guards aboard the Maersk Alabama used guns and a sound blaster Wednesday to repel the second pirate attack in seven months on the U.S. vessel.
A U.S. naval commander hailed the ship's new defenses and family members rejoiced at the Maersk Alabama's escape this time around, but the handling of the attack highlights a growing schism over use of arms on commercial vessels.
The U.N.'s Maritime Safety Committee says members should "strongly discourage the carrying and use of firearms by seafarers for personal protection or for the protection of a ship."
With young and impoverished Somalis increasingly seeking out paydays from hijackings, ship owners are turning to new tactics, including armed security.
More ships traveling near Somalia are using armed guards, but still make up only about 20 percent of the total said Capt. Joseph Murphy, a professor at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. Nexus Consulting Group, a Viriginia-based company, said Wednesday that its armed maritime forces have thwarted at least eight reported pirate attacks.
Richard Scurrell, who analyzes risk for the global insurance broker Willis Group, said that though more security companies are offering their services aboard vessels, many companies remain reluctant to use armed personnel out of fear that crew members will be killed or injured. In addition, there are insurance issues, and countries that flag the vessels have differing rules about carrying weapons.
"Due to Maersk Alabama ... embarking security teams, the ship was able to prevent being successfully attacked by pirates," said Vice Adm. Bill Gortney, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command. "This is a great example of how merchant mariners can take pro-active action."
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