British to issue permits for shipboard guards with machine guns

CARGO vessels sailing under the British flag will be allowed armed guards with machine guns to fight piracy with over half of the UK`s 200-ship fleet that sail off the coast of Somali likely to apply for licence from the British Home Secretary.

Under the scheme, the Home Secretary will be given the power to license vessels to carry armed security, including automatic weapons, or machine guns, currently prohibited under firearms laws.


Prime Minister David Cameron`s decision to allow this is one of the few choices left for those shipping around the Horn of Africa. "The fact that a bunch of pirates in Somalia are able to hold to ransom the rest of the world and our trading system is an insult," he said.


To date no vessel with armed guards has been captured and the UK`s decision is welcomed by International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) but still seen as a "short-term measure, said its secretary general Peter Hinchliffe.


Some say pirates will increase their firepower in response to armed onboard security. "When that happens the impact on the crew will be pretty dreadful," said Mr Hinchliffe, Reuters reports.


Transport Minister Justine Greening said the licence allows for automatic weapons and possibly handguns. The government has also set up the Serious Organised Crimes Agency in the Seychelles to track and target pirate leaders` activity.


Armed security onboard is only allowed in dangerous waters of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. But some countries, including Egypt do not permit armed guards on ships sailing through the Suez Canal.