Comments on: Multinational Law Enforcement Is Complicated

By: PoliGazette » Link Mess

PoliGazette » Link Mess — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 00:01:41 +0000

[...] law enforcement is complicated, Dave Schuler explains. He’s [...]

By: Pirates: Catch-and-Release?

Pirates: Catch-and-Release? — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 15:08:37 +0000

[...] Dave Schuler noted in a post yesterday afternoon that, This story underscores the thought behind the suggestion [...]

By: PD Shaw

PD Shaw — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 02:25:22 +0000

We've re-flagged ships in the Persian Gulf from time to time, but I thought that was directed towards state actors (Iran and Iraq), for whom detterrence has some bite. But the flip side is it creates duties, or at least perceived duties, that didn't previously exist. I am not sure that piracy is as important of an issue, particuarly if it's main problem is increased cost. What is the cost of corruption and instability in the Gulf?

By: Dave Schuler

Dave Schuler — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 19:53:09 +0000

Don't argue with me, Davebo, argue with Galrahn—it's his argument.

I'm generally ignorant of why the number of U. S.-flagged ships has dropped from more than 20,000 to just over 200 over the years. I'd guess it was cost—the cost of registry, taxation, and various regulations and work rules.

By: Davebo

Davebo — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 19:17:47 +0000

This would encourage more vessels to be American-flagged (there are fewer than 250 American-flagged vessels of over 1,000 tons today). Vessels being American-flagged would give the United States a legal underpinning for apprehending and detaining Somali pirates who attacked or harassed such vessels.

This reflects a profound misunderstanding of the reasons shipping lines choose Liberia or more recently the Cayman Islands or Panama for registry.

And this continues despite the Patriot Act which provides for even more disincentives.