Legal Issues Arising From The Use Of Security Guards On Ships

What are the implications of stationing armed guards on board vessels in response to piracy?

Background

There has been a significant and rapid rise in the levels of piracy activity over the past few years, as pirate groups have become better resourced, better equipped and capable of attacking vessels further away from the coastline. The International Maritime Bureau Piracy Reporting Centre has received reports of 243 attacks on vessels, with 26 ships successfully hijacked between 1 January and 13 June 2011 alone. The perceived failure of the international community to adequately tackle the cause of the problem , or reduce the level of piracy activity, has led to repeated calls for flag states to permit armed guards to be stationed on vessels to protect ships and their crews from the threat of piracy.