Armed Guards on British Ships

[Zaxxon]

Now if that wasn't a perfect job for a current serviceman pondering leaving the forces, I don't know what is. It would be ideal for a Royal Marine or pongo that had just left or was soon to leave the forces.

Bet it would be good money and maybe even tax exempt. If only it had been a possible career choice in 98.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-15510467

Although I do know of two guys that have been employed to do this since last year. Not armed, not officially anyway.

[Ozzie Osmond]

Zaxxon said:

If only it had been a possible career choice in 98.

Doesn't sound much of a career. Sit on large boat for months on end doing nothing.

In reality the ship owners don't need to hire military specialists. They can send the existing crew on a training course for a couple of days and then issue them with weapons. The likelihood of pirate encounters will remain low and a hail of machine-gun bullets should soon see off the would-be pirates.

[Langweilig]

And already, according to the BBC news, the cheese-eating surrender monkeys are complaining, "Oh no, can't do that, not fair, shoot to kill policy, armed guards can't be trusted, poor pirates etc."

[fandango_c]

Ozzie Osmond said:

In reality the ship owners don't need to hire military specialists. They can send the existing crew on a training course for a couple of days and then issue them with weapons. The likelihood of pirate encounters will remain low and a hail of machine-gun bullets should soon see off the would-be pirates.

Yes, a couple of days training is adequate to train sailors to use firearms in a combat situation.....

[EDLT]

Ozzie Osmond said:

Zaxxon said:

If only it had been a possible career choice in 98.

Doesn't sound much of a career. Sit on large boat for months on end doing nothing.

So like being in the Navy then?

[LimaDelta]

Armed guards are ok, but carpet bombing Somalia would be better.

[chimaeras]

No Syria is next ! Somalia will have to wait.

[Ozzie Osmond]

EDLT said:

So like being in the Navy then?

Only if you can't tell the difference between a container ship and a submarine/aircraft carrier/destroyer.

The reality is bloke with machine gun high up on big ship has a huge advantage over a few chancers bobbing about on a motor launch.

[Zaxxon]

Ozzie Osmond said:

Only if you can't tell the difference between a container ship and a submarine/aircraft carrier/destroyer.

The reality is bloke with machine gun high up on big ship has a huge advantage over a few chancers bobbing about on a motor launch.

And of course a civvy with a training course certificate and an M-16 is going to have a clue how to defend a ship, fire a weapon whilst taking fire and then defend the ship and retake it if the pirates actually managed to get on board?

What is this training course? Playstation Battlefield 3?

[dmulally]

Zaxxon said:

Now if that wasn't a perfect job for a current serviceman pondering leaving the forces, I don't know what is. It would be ideal for a Royal Marine or pongo that had just left or was soon to leave the forces.

Bet it would be good money and maybe even tax exempt. If only it had been a possible career choice in 98.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-15510467

Although I do know of two guys that have been employed to do this since last year. Not armed, not officially anyway.

Pongo? Typical pusser!!!!

When I was a lowly platoon commander I had to send a couple of diggers away as armed escort for a jolly to Antarctica. They got to test fire when ever they liked. First I knew anything about what they were up to was when my CO (OC next to me) was tearing me a new one for me NOT giving orders to not shoot the wildlife. Seals, penguins etc.

Like kittens in a basket of wool getting into mischief...

[Jasandjules]

Ozzie Osmond said:

They can send the existing crew on a training course for a couple of days and then issue them with weapons.

You really think that would work?

Don't get me wrong, the Russians did it in World War 2, but then look at their casualty rates.....

[Cyder]

I know a bloke who does this already. He's ex Royal Marine and spends about 6 months of the year working and the other 6 months at home so I guess it pays well!

[jeff m2]

dmulally said:

Pongo? Typical pusser!!!!

When I was a lowly platoon commander I had to send a couple of diggers away as armed escort for a jolly to Antarctica. They got to test fire when ever they liked. First I knew anything about what they were up to was when my CO (OC next to me) was tearing me a new one for me NOT giving orders to not shoot the wildlife. Seals, penguins etc.

Like kittens in a basket of wool getting into mischief...

That's pretty funny, in retrospect.

They looked menacing Sar

[bga]

Jasandjules said:

You really think that would work?

Don't get me wrong, the Russians did it in World War 2, but then look at their casualty rates.....

Those rates may have been different if they were being approached by a handful of guys on a skiff.

[Saddle bum]

Cyder said:

I know a bloke who does this already. He's ex Royal Marine and spends about 6 months of the year working and the other 6 months at home so I guess it pays well!

Ditto. The carrying of armed personel must be happening already. The gubbermint appears to be trying to make us believe it was their idea.

[Asterix]

Ozzie Osmond said:

They can send the existing crew on a training course for a couple of days and then issue them with weapons.

Arf - silliest comment I've seen for a while. Why not get a few YTS lads to try their hand at bomb disposal?

[Jasandjules]

bga said:

Those rates may have been different if they were being approached by a handful of guys on a skiff.

Yes but the Friendly Fire and Negligent Discharge rates would go up instead..........

[98elise]

Asterix said:

Ozzie Osmond said:

They can send the existing crew on a training course for a couple of days and then issue them with weapons.

Arf - silliest comment I've seen for a while. Why not get a few YTS lads to try their hand at bomb disposal?

Its about as much small arms training the average RN person gets.

[FourWheelDrift]

Around 200 UK ships on the UK registry, but there's almost the same amount of UK ships carrying flags of convenience (Liberia, Panama etc) Do any UK ships currently carry armed guards under different flags? I wonder how many might be re-registered to the UK again if not. Cost against protection.

[Asterix]

98elise said:

Asterix said:

Ozzie Osmond said:

They can send the existing crew on a training course for a couple of days and then issue them with weapons.

Arf - silliest comment I've seen for a while. Why not get a few YTS lads to try their hand at bomb disposal?

Its about as much small arms training the average RN person gets.

That's why they have Royal Marines.