The cargo-ship captain held hostage by Somali pirates last month has recommended military escorts for international vessels in his testimony before a US Senate committee.
US Navy SEALs rescued Captain Richard Phillips on April 12 after pirates boarded his ship, the 'Maersk Alabama'.
"The most desirable and appropriate solution to piracy is for the United States government to provide protection," AFP quoted Captain Phillips as saying in prepared remarks to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Captain Phillips stated that this could come in a variety of forms, either through escorts or military detachments aboard ships, but that, "I am not comfortable giving up command authority to others, including the commander of a protection force. In the heat of an attack, there can be only one final decision maker."
Despite the recent increase in piracy around Somalia and the Gulf of Aden, Captain Phillips emphasised that he believed arming all crew members was not a solution to the problem.
John Clancy, Maersk Line Chairman, supports this position, suggesting that arming sailors could actually make the situation worse.
The arming of sailors "may result in the acquisition of even more lethal weapons and tactics by the pirates," Mr. Clancy was quoted as saying by CNN.
"In addition, most ports of call will not permit the introduction of firearms into the national waters."
