60 The carrying and use of firearms by seafarers
for personal protection or for the protection of a ship is strongly
discouraged. Seafarers are civilians and the use of firearms requires
special training and aptitudes and the risk of accidents with firearms
carried on board ship is great. Carriage of arms on board ship may
encourage attackers to carry firearms or even more dangerous weapons,
thereby escalating an already dangerous situation. Any firearm on
board may itself become an attractive target for an attacker.
61 It should also be borne in mind that shooting
at suspected pirates may impose a legal risk for the master, shipowner
or company, such as collateral damages. In some jurisdictions, killing
a national may have unforeseen consequences even for a person who
believes he or she has acted in self defence. Also the differing customs
or security requirements for the carriage and importation of firearms
should be considered, as taking a small handgun into the territory
of some countries may be considered an offence.