by Jonathan Clayton

Created on: June 30, 2009   Last Updated: July 02, 2009

Maritime Law and African Piracy aren't on a collision course. They've already collided, "Head On"!

The piracy that involved the American sea captain of the Maersk Alabama, brought the situation of African Sea Piracy to a very quick, and violent conclusion. What was done in that particular situation not only should have sent an extreme message to these criminal's, it also should have sent a message to the other nation's, who've been paying enormous ransoms in order to get their ships and crews home safely! Why on earth has this situation been allowed to continue over the last decade? It was because of the horrible situation that continues to this day. The total breakdown of Democratic law, that reigns supreme in certain parts of Africa!

This lawless attitude has empowered, and emboldened these criminals, who are in complete control in these impoverished nations. This criminal mind set has actually allowed them to take to the High Sea's with the same reckless abandon, that they use in their own nation's, on their own people! These action's have left the International Community no choice other than to use Military Escort in order to protect their sovereign property. But as we are all aware, this is neither cost effective or even practical at this point. There isn't a single nation on earth who possesses enough Naval Power, to adequately protect the enormous amount of International shipping which passes through this particular shipping lane.

But there are in fact, already Maritime Laws in place to take care of this situation. Granted, in many cases they were passed over a century ago, but they are still on the books, and are completely legal. For the more up to date situation which has arisen in this century, there are other options available that can be used, that currently fall under Maritime Law. The most effective and cost efficient, is to equip and have qualified certain members of the crew of these vessel's. They would have the right to bear arm's and to protect said vessel's from Pirate attack. Now of course this will present it's own set of issue's. But it is entirely legal, at this point in time.

The other option that is currently available is to hire Mercenaries, for lack of a better term. These men are for the most part, either prior service or law enforcement officers, and they are more than qualified, trained, and highly motivated individuals! For the foreseeable future. This particular means of protecting International Shipping is the absolute best in every category to protect both the crew's, and their ships, from piracy on the High Sea's!

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