Taiwan Considers Anti-Piracy Armed Guards

The Taiwanese government may authorize the deployment of armed guards on board Taiwan-flagged ships sailing through pirate-infested waters.

Officials told reporters that measures would not be implemented until an amendment to the law governing guns and firearms that bars the employment of armed guards on board local vessels could be passed.

A Taiwanese fishing boat was hijacked by pirates off the east coast of Africa last November. Its crew several days later recaptured their vessel and forced six Somali pirates overboard. Currently, one Taiwanese fishing vessel is being held by Somali pirates.

Britain and the U.S. passed laws toward the end of 2011 that allowed armed guards to sail aboard certain vessels. In addition, the International Maritime Organization addressed the issue of carriage of privately contracted armed guards and developed guidelines on the subject for all mariners as part of its 2011 anti-piracy measures. 

Photo shows Somali pirates adrift in the Indian Ocean. Courtesy of EU NAVFOR.