Posted on 12/14/2008 8:40:14 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
I was scanning your site, like I do often, and I noticed on the issue of piracy some short comments about using firearms to ward off pirates.
One good source of info on modern piracy that many who own yachts may not have ever read is an American magazine called, "Soldier of Fortune".
"Soldier of Fortune" magazine, founded and edited by a retired US Army special forces colonel, is known as the only publication to have had a reporter on the ground the entire time during the Russian war in Afghanistan.
This magazine is of extreme interest to the yachting community because it has also run several excellent, unique, in-depth articles on modern piracy, even from some journalists that have actually traveled with the pirates on their forays. One article showed a real yacht being hit and looted. I know of no other publication that has acquired the hands-on, personal look into modern piracy that "Soldier of Fortune" has done.
One thing that the invaluable data gathered by "Soldier of Fortune" has shown is that most pirates tend to break off encounters as soon as they start to receive gunfire, or feel that they may do so. They are not in the business to get killed. If a yacht has teeth, they usually break off and find another, "softer" target - Blackbeard they are not.
Another thing that their data shows is the tactic of being defenseless and leaving yourself at their mercy is foolish. Aa time goes on, this is becoming a riskier and riskier thing to do, yet this is the main plan many on yachts have. Putting yourself at the mercy and whim of thugs, killers, and bandits and hoping they just take some cash and leave you alone is foolish and can easily be far deadlier to yourself and your crew than fighting them off. These men follow no rules except what they make up as they go.
This is the reason why in almost every pirate attack that you hear about where a yacht gets boarded, the crews were virtually defenseless, except for maybe a flare gun. Yachts that return fire with real firearms generally don't get boarded. The train of thought of, "Don't shoot at them, you might make them angry," is not the wisest of paths to follow. Submission to murderous criminals is seldom a smart and productive move.
A good example is that Italian catamaran, near Venezuela if I recall, some time ago that was chased for quite a while by eight men in an open skiff brandishing rusty shotguns. The yacht had only a flare gun.
(this refers to the 2004 incident when Italian Bruno Bianchella on "Joe's Dog" was shot and killed off Isla de Margarita)
A common hunting rifle, or even an aging, old, $100 WWII surplus bolt action rifle could have stopped that pursuit in its tracks. The pirates' boat, like most boats used in piracy, was small and offered virtually no protection against defensive rifle fire, especially from pretty much any common hunting rifle. Even a single, ordinary hunting rifle (bolt action or pump action) plus maybe a shotgun (pump action) on board - both recognized around the world as civilian weapons - could have prevented such a tragedy.
A rifle is more dangerous to pirates than a shotgun as it has range and penetration. It can hole and/or disable a small boat while also hitting the pirates. A rifle gives you a defensive cordon that can be measured in hundreds of meters, depending upon visibility and sea conditions. Pirates in their typical small boats have virtually no defense against accurate rifle fire except to take evasive action and leave.
A shotgun is better for closer ranges as they try and board, and for defense in case a boarding is in process or has already occured. A shotgun is extremely effective at close ranges and it has a low level of penetration power - meaning that you probably won't sink yourself if you fire it inside your boat.
In retrospect, that murdered Italian skipper might have found the extra paperwork and bureaucratic hassle, while in port, that is normally associated with having a rifle on board, to have been worthwhile after all.
The world is going through one its periods in history where it is getting to be a more dangerous place. People are going to have to understand that and be better prepared to deal with the risks and dangers of traveling the seas during such a period.
Law enforcement agencies all too often consider piracy out of their capabilities and concerns. Piracy won't stop until it becomes too risky to be a pirate. The only way for that to happen is for people to start defending themselves, because no one else will do it for them.
An item of note: A good introductory "how-to" book that some may find interesting is "High Seas Security" by Frank Camper. It is an easy read and it is written to be understood by regular people who are not security professionals, but it is still very informative. It is generally available used on Amazon for less than $7.
Mike Rostov
mrostov@hotmail.com
Hmmm. Time to bring back letters of marque and reprisal?
AND stop all this nonsense about what kind of weapons individuals should be “allowed” to own and use.
These two boats, armed with a few basic firearms, beat back a close-range pirate attack, killing or wounding several with shotguns and rifles.
The armed yacht was American, and was named for a LOTR character. Gandalf I think.
Anyway, I've been known to sail pretty good distances, and I sail armed.
This is me.
I even had to chuck a few guns overboard before making an unscheduled stop in Mexico, but that's another story.
It has been years since I’ve even seen a copy of SoF, so my memories are hazy. I remember, out of the half dozen or so issues that I read, the reporting was interesting, thorough, and felt authentic.
You need to reacquaint yourself with SOF. They have been giving the best coverage of anyone of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. (www.sofmag.com).
JIC™ 500® Mariner® kit includes:
* 500® Mariner®
12 gauge pump-action, 6-round capacity, 18 1/2" barrel bead sight, proprietary Marinecote™ metal finish
* Heavy-duty multi-tool, serrated blade lock-back survival knife and cordura carrying case
* Floating synthetic carrying tube with shoulder strap (tube includes a heavy-duty synthetic seal, factory tested to be air-tight and waterproof to a minimum of 17psi or 40' when properly installed)
* Gun lock
* Swivel studs
* Owner's Manual
* Contents packaged in heavy-duty re-sealable bag
* Easily stores with bumpers and jackets
* Shoots hell out of pirates or sharks
* Also tightens nuts, bolts, cuts bait
Yes indeed. SOF is a terrific mag, alone on its perch like a solitary eagle. There is no other entry in its niche.
I hope you threw some Mosin-Nagants overboard.
I think this is the one you meant.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1366545/posts
12ga shotgun vs. 2 boats of Pirates
The Highroad ^ | March 11, 2005 | Rodney J. Nowlin, USN Retire
Posted on Sunday, March 20, 2005 8:22:16 AM by SLB
“We are safe in port of Aden. It‚s been 3 days repairing the damage. 30 bullets holes in deck, cabin house, dodger, and alas, newly varnished mast. Our bow shows evidence of a satisfying crunch. Our new paint job was not meant to be. Dinghy on deck was seriously wounded but in stable condition, much repatched. No wine was hurt.
This is the „official‰ report filed with the Yemen Coast Guard, Yemen Navy, Aden Port Control, US Coalition 5th Fleet, US Embassy and State Department? but not Carol‚s mother. Unfortunately, the poor guy that shoots has to write up the paper work. The one that rams does not engender any paper-work, except sand paper work.
March 11, 2005, written by Rodney J. Nowlin, USN Retired Pirate Attack off Yemen Coast
On Tuesday, March 8, 2005 at position 13 Degrees 28 North / 49 Degrees 07 East, in the infamous Pirate Alley of the Gulf of Aden, two sailing yachts, Madhi and Gandalf, were moving SW 30 miles off the coast of Yemen proceeding to the port of Aden from Salalah, Oman.
At about 0900 local, two outboard powered fiberglass longboats, about 20 feet long, each containing 3 men, passed off our sterns moving south at about 25 knots into the open Gulf between Yemen and Somalia. An hour later they returned, one coming quite close and looking us over carefully. The second boat passed off our bows but quite a ways away. These boats were obviously not engaged in a normal activity like fishing. At that time we were south of Al Mukalla, Yemen. The area around Al Mukalla is well documented as being a piracy, drug & people smuggling problem area and we maintained a careful watch for anything out of the ordinary.
At about 1600 we observed two different boats approaching us head on from the west with the glare of the sunset in our eyes. These were 25-30 feet long, had inboard diesel engines and higher freeboard. We immediately motored closer together. As soon as they saw us close ranks they started coming very fast directly at us. There were 4 men in each boat. They separated at about 200 yards with one boat coming down Madhi‚s port side, shouting and firing into the cockpit. The other boat, firing automatic weapons came at Gandalf. There were no warning shots. Carol on Gandalf began sending Maydays on every frequency.
The first boat swung around behind Mahdi‚s stern to come up and board us. At that point, I , Rod Nowlin aboard Mahdi and armed with a 12 gauge shotgun loaded with 00 buckshot, started shooting into their boat. I forced them to keep their heads down so they could not shoot at us. I am not sure I hit anyone at that point. I could see the driver of the boat crouched down behind the steering console. After firing three shots at them, their engine started to smoke and I swung around to try to shoot at the second boat ahead. At that point I saw Jay Barry on Gandalf ram the second boat amidships almost cutting it in two and turning it almost completely over. I turned back around to shoot at the boat still behind Mahdi. That was when they turned away from Mahdi and headed toward the stern of Gandalf. Gandalf was beside us about 100 feet away. The bow of the pirate boat came right up against Gandalf‚s stern and two men stood up on the bow with guns to board Gandalf. That was a serious and probably fateful error on their part. I shot both of them. That boat then veered away and I shot the driver, although I am not sure of the outcome because they were farther away and I didn‚t knock him down like the other two trying to board Gandalf.
Mahdi & Gandalf kept going at full speed to put as much distance between the pirates and us as possible. As soon as we were out of rifle range, we looked back and both attack boats were drifting and seemed to be disabled.
A merchant ship nearby finally answered our Mayday and diverted course to position itself between the floundering pirates and the fleeing yachts. They said they would contact the authorities‚ by Sat phone and then sailed alongside us for 4 hours after dark to make sure we would be all right. Best speed was made to the Port of Aden 180 miles away.
If Jay on Gandalf had not had the presence of mind to veer over into one boat and ram it, the outcome of this attack would have been totally different. All the guys needed to do was stand off a ways and shoot us to pieces with automatic weapons. We were extremely lucky. We broadcast Mayday calls on VHF 16 and all HF radio frequencies, including two HF frequencies that were supplied by the US Coast Guard near Oman only a few days before. Frequencies which the Coalition Forces Warships in this area were supposed to be monitoring. There was no response. The pirates were well organized and well armed. There were at least 4 boats involved. They had set up a picket line out from the Yemen coast probably covering 75 miles out, so if you transited the area during the day they would not miss seeing you. The two attack boats appeared to have come from the south before positioning themselves ahead of us in the sunset.
There has been speculation in the past that this ongoing piracy problem off Yemen‚s coast was being carried out by Somali pirates. Given the number, the types of boats involved, and the direction the supposed spotter boats were coming from, this does not appear to be the case. The men in the attack boats looked both African and Arab.
There was no evidence that this was a people smuggling operation. There were no men, women or children cowering in the boats. These were not fishing boats with nets or overhead sun protection. They appeared to be purpose-built boats, 25-30 feet long, with wooden splines or poles fashioned above the gunwales to which a plastic tarp or shield was hung chest high for the men to hide behind after shooting. The problem is getting worse and the pirate attacks are getting deadly. One could only expect that the Yemen Government will take more direct action At very least, allow yachts to group in Salalah, Oman and at some point along the NW Yemen coast request an escort until Aden or the Straits.
Rodney J. Nowlin, USN Retire March 11, 2005
Actually, three Ruger products. Sigh.
LOL, Yes!
“The bow of the pirate boat came right up against Gandalf‚s stern and two men stood up on the bow with guns to board Gandalf. That was a serious and probably fateful error on their part. I shot both of them. That boat then veered away and I shot the driver, although I am not sure of the outcome because they were farther away and I didn’t knock him down like the other two trying to board Gandalf.”
I love that dry writing!
Although most firearms are banned, apparently, by the Coast Guard on civilian vessels (or so I’m told) and at many foreign ports, they usually do allow flare pistols.
For a while someone was making steel inserts that would fit into the chamber of a flare gun and accept a pistol or .410 shotgun shell; sort of an “adapter”. Although only a single shot, it would be better than nothing and the chamber insert and a few rounds would be easier to hide aboard a boat than a shotgun or rifle, I would suppose.
I made an 11-inch long 1” OD .58 caliber muzzle loading barrel out of schedule 80 seamless steel pipe that slides into the breech of my German 26.5mm flare pistol and extends out beyond the muzzle. I use if for firing salutes on the 4th of July, but I could have just as easily bored it out to take a 12-ga. shotgun shell - although the recoil would be brutal and I would go to jail if the BATFE ever caught me with it.
Some Gunsmiths have made similar inserts that chamber .44 magnum, .30-30 rifle rounds etc.and are rifled..
the tricky part is getting the extractor to work. Otherwise you have to poke the empties out with a stick from the muzzle.
My boat would have a belt fed .30 cal at a minimum and I probably opt for a M2 .50 cal (even a semi-auto variant) just to be sure they couldn’t safely get within 2000 yards of me.
There were a few copycats back in the eighties, but they didn’t last.
I think I paid $180 for the two. Both fine shooters
“Shooting from a yacht is similar to shooting from the roof of an SUV, while driving across rutted fields. It has NOTHING to do with range shooting. You cannot get a "rest." You can only shoot offhand, while your boat is moving in several directions at once.”Modify the CROWS and add gyro stabilization.
The eastern Caribbean is not too bad and generally safe but Venezuela, since Chavez, is a mess and has become very dangerous. You used to stay about 10 NM off the coast, catching the wind and curent, going down to Isla Margurita and hug the coast and hope you got some catabaric winds off the mountains of eastern Venezuela going back to Trinidad. (with your yacht full of Cchilean wine and Venezuelan rum!) Those days are gone, at least for a while.
Bruno had spent some time in Trinidad visiting and I think he pulled his boat and did a bottom job at Peakes. I met him a few times. He seemed like a nice guy and his killing shocked the yachting community.
A weapon is a big problem to deal with in the eastern Caribbean but you MUST go armed when you are near the coast of Venezuela or travel in a flotilla, a BIG flotilla.
I recall quite a few years ago reading a story somewhere of some poor bastard who had to spend a lot more time in St. Kitts than he had planned for violating this.
Also very good+ surplus Egyptian Ljungmann rifles in 7.92mm were available cheap. 10 shots. They wouldn't get closer to you than 500 yards without hurting.
I'm guessing they can afford it.
I dunno about that.
The CROWS is designed to mount on hummers, etc.
A 30+ foot boat should be able to handle it fine.
You can stick a 500# weight on top of a heavy duty vehicle, no problem. Boats are another story. Plant 500 extra # on deck, big problem. (Unless you stay on flat water, but what good is that?)
The bargain of a lifetime, weighed against ten years in a Mexican calabozo.
-ccm
You’ve got that exactly right.
Don't think you're right. You can take along any gun you want in US waters or on the high seas. The only problems come when you make port elsewhere.
My understanding is that most decent places allow guns aboard ship to be left in the custody of the harbor master or customs office, and not treated as if they have been imported into the country. There are probably significant amounts of paperwork involved.
At the other extreme, Jamaica supposedly will give you life in prison or hang you if they catch you with a gun anywhere in their 200-mile exclusion zone.
Experienced yachtsmen are invited to elucidate further.
-ccm
Ok, it might be necessary to design a lightweight version.
But we could build the gyro stabilization in natively then. (Instead of modding the old design)
If you can afford a yacht, you can afford $100 for a Mauser or SKS or Enfield you can drop overboard three miles out.
-ccm
-ccm
As for legality, civilian ownership of naval artillery was an expectation, when the Constitution was written. It is an implied right (unlike most of the crap the Supreme Court makes up). You can't have letter of Marque without armed merchantmen.
Heh, I don’t even know what a letter of Marque is!
Armed merchantmen is the best idea since canned soup.
Ok, I just looked it up.
I want a letter of Marque!
(Make those pirates have bad dreams at night)
For many years we took the boat to Cabo for 8 months of the year and always carried handguns and amunition.
For many years we took the boat to Cabo for 8 months of the year and always carried handguns and amunition.
Chucking must be awful...
...ya salty dawg...;-)
Here is a link to the Soldier of Fortune Magazine site:
http://www.sofmag.com/wp/soldier-of-fortune-magazine/
Hey...
You don’t get rich writing a lot of checks! ;)
Royal Biffeche Yacht Club ping
* Also tightens nuts, bolts, cuts bait
Awesome! ;-)
Want one of those.
I was extremely disappointed that the phrase "Letter of Marque" was not even mentioned in the latest Supreme Court ruling on the 2nd Amendment.
Crusing World is an interesting magazine, the cooking articles/food storage tips are fab as well.
THey have posted a number of articles over the years about carrying AK47s as a self-defense measure.
I dropped my subscription a number of years ago due to the nature of some of their adverts.
SOF is a must buy each month, the old edition goes to son #2 (as a Grunt, he enjoys the writing) for our recycle efforts...
We shot every round on board first. Took most of an afternoon. Got to torture test a mini-14, rapid firing several mags, then quenching the barrel in sea water, then rapid firing more. No lube, no nothing. Lots of fun. Until we deep-sixed them. That was sad.
Nowadays, I'd recommend something heavy and scoped in the rifle department. Since the ubiquitous RPG's have the capability of making mincemeat out of a yacht within range, one might want to counter them at long distance.
As far as the paperwork goes, it varies from place to place ... but "Don't ask ... Don't Tell" seemed to work in many places, and wasn't onerous in others.
It’s extremely unusual on the ocean for it to be calm enough to use a scope, unless it’s maybe under 3 power. You cannot get a steady rest, such a thing does not exist on a boat on the ocean, so you must fire off-hand, from a sitting position usually. With a scope of 4X or more, you will not be able to hold a target.
Actually, the best way (in daytime) to aim is to spot your splashes. Even500+ yards out, you see your splashes easily unless it’s really rough out, and then you don’t need to worry about pirates in speedboats.
A semi-auto with lots of bullets is the ticket, in either 5.56 or 7.62. The idea is to just put a ton of splashes in the water around the pirates to help them remember an urgent appointment elsewhere. They are not Marines storming Tarawa, and have no interest in testing your accuracy with their chests.
If you hit them great, but the idea is to deter them at long range. If you are taken by surprise and you find them upon you at close distance, typically right up your stern, then again a semi is useful. Or a shotgun.
BTW, a S.S. Ruger Mini 14 was one of the guns now on the sea bottom off of Hualtuco Mexico.
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