I've heard on the grapevine recently that several private military contractors are seeking to recruit 'sea marshals' to redress this very problem. A Number of shipping lines are keen to place teams aboard a number of their vulnerable vessels transiting the danger zone. As the vessels will be in international waters it seems that it's only a matter of time before these parasites more than meet their match. I understand that the 'rules of engagement' are to detain where possible, destroy their vessels and hand the offenders over to the jurisdiction of the state to which the vessel is flagged for due process. Apparently there's no need for Q Ships and such a move will more than up-the-ante and carry the fight to those who see piracy as their right of passage!
Actually on board "Security Teams" have been employed since the early 90s, initially on Cruise Liners, but also on merchant vessels. However, the question of say a British PSC placing armed security officers on board a British Vessel, would be as illegal as arming civilian Sky Marshals on board a UK aircraft as under UK Law, including the former AMSA and relevant paragraphs in both the NASC and NMSC, the only persons permitted to be armed with firearms on board a vessel or aircraft are Constables (ie the Police) who are duly authorised by the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police or Regional Chief Constables. It therefore follows that Foreign PSC, including our dear cousins across the water, would similarly not be permitted to be employed on board a UK Vessel which in effect is
Sovereign Territory of the United Kingdom, in much the same way as Foreign Vessels are Sovereign Territory of the Flag States to which they belong and therefore subject to the laws of those States. You can see where complications might arise, particularly when the International Naval Vessels operating in the Indian Ocean, Red Sea and Gulf of Aden
must first seek permission from relevant Flag States before they can board a vessel to search it ! Confused - You Will Be ! The Master of a vessel can take advice on what security precautions he could use to deter boarding, such as placing razor wire around ships rails, employing electric security fencing, emmploying security lighting or the use of Long Range Acoustic Devices (LRAD) However, as was proved in both the South China Sea and off Somalia, the little buggers can often fiind ways to over-ride most deterrents, particularly if they are determined.
The case of placing armed soldiers or servicemen aboard vessels carrying military supplies in time of war or conflict, is also slightly complicated when using Foreign Flagged vessels as the FCO has to obtain permission well in advance. For British Vessels in such cases, the Secretary of State for Transport merely has to sign an order to place them under MOD Control (Ships Taken Up From Trade)(STUFT).
