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Maersk Captain Calls for Military to Protect Shipping

Freed pirate hostage calls for tougher ships, better armed crews

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted May 1, 2009 2:27 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Military guards or military detachments on board ships are the best way to keep American shipping safe from piracy, Capt. Richard Phillips told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee yesterday. Phillips, freed by the US Navy after being held hostage by pirates last month, said better-armed crews and tougher vessels would also help deter pirate attacks, the Hill reports.

Phillips told lawmakers he believed two or more highly trained soldiers could have repelled the pirate attack on the Maersk Alabama last month. "Understand, it’s not a mall cop that I’m looking for," he said. The chairman of the shipping company told the committee that the laws of many other countries prohibit armed crews. Both men stressed that a long-term solution to piracy would require international cooperation.

Richard Phillips stands with Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Sen. John Kerry at the start of a hearing on piracy yesterday.
Richard Phillips stands with Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Sen. John Kerry at the start of a hearing on piracy yesterday.   (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Captain of the Maersk Alabama Richard Phillips arrives to testify before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on piracy.
Captain of the Maersk Alabama Richard Phillips arrives to testify before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on piracy.   (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Captain of the Maersk Alabama, Richard Phillips, left, and John Clancey, chairman of Maersk, Inc., arrive to testify before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on piracy.
Captain of the Maersk Alabama, Richard Phillips, left, and John Clancey, chairman of Maersk, Inc., arrive to testify before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on piracy.   (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
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COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 1 comment
oldgoat
May 1, 2009 9:06 AM CDT
Why don't the shipping companies go in convoys and provide their own security instead of handing out millions in ransom? Going single file with no security and then paying out ransoms is a sure fire way to keep getting pirates after you.

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