Seagoing labor urges improved standards for self-defense against piracy, supports embarked military detachments for U.S. merchant vessels

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Responding to a request for comments on the U.S. Coast Guard’s policy regarding rules for the use of force for self-defense of U.S.-flagged vessels, six U.S. seagoing unions – including American Maritime Officers – restated the suppression of piracy is a government responsibility best addressed by embarked U.S. military security detachments aboard U.S.-flagged merchant vessels.

The unions also urged the Coast Guard to strengthen liability protections in its policy for merchant mariners defending themselves and their vessels from attacking pirates.

Addressing the terms of Port Security Advisory (3-09), the unions recommended the Coast Guard develop standard rules for the use of force for self-defense of U.S.-flagged vessels at sea permitting the use of deadly force when mariners or security personnel onboard reasonably believe the vessel or a mariner is being subjected to an “act of piracy.”

The unions also recommended the Coast Guard modify PSA (3-09) to conform to the standards of “common law,” specifically: recognition that one is not required to retreat when he or she is assailed in a place where he or she has a right to be.

Addressing the responsibility of governments, the unions stated: “It has consistently been the position of the maritime unions that the suppression of piracy is primarily a government responsibility using embarked military security detachments under rules of engagement enforced by military command and control procedures.

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