India seizes armed "anti-piracy" ship owned by US security firm

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

India seizes armed "anti-piracy" ship owned by US security firm

By Anupama Chandrasekaran
CHENNAI, India | Sun Oct 13, 2013 10:22am EDT

Oct 13 (Reuters) - India has detained an armed ship operated by a U.S. maritime security company and the 35 people on board for failing to produce papers authorizing it to carry weapons and ammunition in Indian waters, the coast guard said on Sunday.

Coast Guard Commandant Anand Kumar said the ship was stopped on Friday and was being held in the southern port of Tuticorin along with its 10 crew and 25 armed security guards until required documentation is submitted.

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The southern tip of India is close to major trading routes from Asia to Europe. Many cargo ships now travel with armed guards to deter pirates. Sri Lanka, close to Tuticorin, is a popular boarding point for private armed guards.

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The Sierra Leone-flagged ship Seaman Guard Ohio belongs to Virginia-based AdvanFort, a maritime security firm that specializes in anti-piracy operations. AdvanFort and the U.S. consulate in Chennai were not immediately available for comment.

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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/10/13/india-ship-idUSL3N0I307320131013

[pscot]

1. Are we handing out Letters of Marque and Reprisal?

those went out with sailing ships.

[FreakinDJ]

2. "Badges .. We don't need no stinking Badges"

[bemildred]

3. I can hardly wait to find out what these guys were up to.

I do not believe for a minute they failed to get authorization by an oversight. All those well-armed people are getting paid.