Convoys are one way to combat piracy

The Daniel Akst column "Indian Ocean piracy needs a different tack" [Opinion, Feb. 28] brought to mind what was done in World War II. In the midst of constant U-boat attacks in the Atlantic, the defensive strategy was to set up a convoy of ships with ample protection.

Today, designated assembling points could be set up along shipping lanes, and vessels could wait for a convoy. The cost of the protection for each vessel could be calculated based on the value of the ship's cargo. Small ships or recreational vessels could tag along at a minimal fee.

Pirates would be hard-pressed to attack a convoy of hundreds, and the security force would only have to deal with the convoy rather than try to police the entire Indian Ocean. I can imagine an international naval security force working together to afford protection, similar in design to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization alliance. It might even be a United Nations function.

The total ransom fees of some $238 million paid to pirates last year would go a long way toward establishing such security.

Noel J. Gish

Smithtown