INTERTANKO: No armed crews, private security to fight pirates

INTERTANKO: No armed crews, private security to fight pirates    The International Association of Independent Tanker Owners on Monday laid out a case against arming vessels to protect against piracy attacks.
   'The use of any arms carried on board ships will escalate the violence of pirate attacks and armed robberies and increase the risk of loss of life,' the association said in a statement. 'There should be no arming of ships' crews. Crewmembers are not trained in the use of firearms and should not be required to defend themselves and their ship.
   The group also advised that private security used to guard ships should also be unarmed.
   'Where a private security service is employed, the personnel should be unarmed and their role should be an advisory one,' INTERTANKO said. 'The risks associated with live firearms on an oil or chemical tanker are evident. Private security firms offering armed guards and escort services should be avoided.'
   INTERTANKO detailed several issues against arming vessels:
   ' No accepted quality control process in place.
   ' Inherent problems regarding liability.
   ' Command and control issues regarding the use of lethal force.
   ' Insurance-related problems.
   'The use of government armed guards is, of course, a different matter. Where used, these should preferably be sourced from the ship's flag state,' the association said.