[BITList] Merchant ships could be armed to tackle pirate threat -Home News, UK - The Independent

[HUGH]

Mike,

The design of a ship has to take into account a number factors related to 
where it goes - eg, Morar had to fit through the dock gates at Port Talbot ; 
Panama Canal transit requires (or did require) a searchlight right for'd 
(this was often behind a removable crest) ; and entry to ice areas means ice 
strengthening and special steels in some hull areas.  So, maritime brains 
should now be working out construction and other rules for vessels on routes 
through pirate areas.  Blowing them out of the water is for navies (and the 
more the merrier). For a start, passenger liners shouldn't be allowed near a 
pirate and, until measures are in place, other vessels should sail in 
convoy.

Hugh.