The Coast Guard issued a press release on May 12th stating that it had issued Maritime Security Directive 104-6 (rev. 2).  You won’t find the specific Directive anywhere unless you are a ship operator that is being effected by the directive.  It is apparently being distributed as a sensitive document directly to U.S. flagged ship [...]

I’ve seen several news articles titled “How could they be so stupid!” “Idiot pirates attack warship” etc. While the liklihood of pirates actually overtaking a warship or even a auxiliary naval vessel and taking the ship hostage are extremely unlikely, the likelihood of them severely damaging a warship or auxiliary ship is significant. Remember the USS Cole? They simply need to get close enough, and any ship could find themselves in serious danger.

Several attacks by Somali pirates have been successfully thwarted in recent days by NATO and other foreign warships patrolling in the region, unfortunately the pirates in those attacks were left still roaming the high seas, albeit minus a few weapons.  Here is a brief listing of the attacks thwarted that I know of and their outcome.
18 April [...]