General David Petraeus has recommended that the operators of merchant ships operating off the coast of Somalia consider arming (and training) their crews to defend themselves in the case of pirate attack.

This AP story has the details.

Naval forces from several nations currently patrol the waters that Petraeus described as many times the size of Texas. But he said there is no way for any military to be able to safeguard all commercial ships that ply those waters.

In other words “When minutes count, the US and other Navies will be only hours away”. Which is a statement of the realities of patrolling a large ocean, not an insult at those Navies.

Predictably, others think this is not a wise idea.

Joe Cox, president of the Chamber of Shipping of America, cautioned that deploying armed guards aboard cargo ships could escalate violence if pirates expect a gunfight.

Hmm, maybe Mr. Cox should consider running for Attorney General of Massachusetts. After all Martha Coakley also discourages “self help” and self defense under the theory it’s better to go along with criminals demands than risk making them angry.

Because nothing makes preadators back off like signs of weakness. Being submissive works so well, just as it did on September 11, 2001. Nope, weakness in their prey never emboldens these types. T

This couldn’t be part of why the pace of piratings is increasing, could it?

Authorities say pirates are well aware that ship owners have been willing to pay an average of $2 million ransom for each seized ship.

In business, the maxim is that you get a lot of what you pay for. Shipping companies are paying a lot of money to ensure that their crews and ships are released. As a result, they are getting more and more ships taken by pirates. Personally, I don’t see this a coincidence.

Not everyone seems so passive. The Massachusetts Maritime Academy has started to offer basic firearms training to it’s students. The Boston Globe has an article about the program.

Of course, not everyone is in favor,

Donna Nincic, chairman of the department of maritime policy and management at California Maritime Academy at California State University, which includes piracy training in two courses, believes it will only escalate conflicts and increase the likelihood of casualties.

Lady, if a shipping company can’t afford better weapons (and training) than some AK 47s and RPGs, they are in big trouble. Yeah, I know the shipping industry is experiencing a downturn, but it’s not that bad.

Maybe that title of this post should be changed to “Millions For Tribute, Not A Penny For Defense”. Which somehow just doesn’t seem right.