Capt. Richard Phillips Asks For Armed Crew, Government Forces

During testimony, Capt. Richard Phillips recommended that at least some of the crew on these cargo ships be given access to weapons. He said:

"It would be my personal preference that a limited number of crew aboard the vessel have access to effective weaponry."

While suggesting arming the captain and perhaps four of the crew would help, Phillips added that "special forces" might help as well.

"And I don't mean a security guard. I don't mean a mall cop. I mean someone who's specifically trained."

I can see it now: this is perfect for Xe (formerly known as Blackwater).

Certainly this hasn't reached the point of requiring convoys, as in WWII (and it won't), but escort vessels, or as Phillips suggests, armed guards would certainly dissuade pirates.

They'd need some pretty good weaponry, though. Those pirates sometimes come alongside with RPGs.

However his boss wasn't so sure. Clancey said:

"Arming merchant sailors may result in the acquisition of ever more lethal weapons and tactics by the pirates, a race that merchant sailors cannot win."

He's also worried about liability.
"There have been incidents where innocent bystanders have been killed. There is exposure."

Yes, the world right now is very litigious, and Clancey has a point. However these ideas won support from the committee Phillips and Clancey was testifying in front. Will this come to fruition? As pirates continue to attack vessels, there's a good chance.