Defending ships against Somali piracy is easier than pirates boast or politicians claim. I should know, having served on board two amphibious warships in the U.S. Navy.

Any competent crew should be able to spot a motorboat several nautical miles away with the naked eye. Much farther when using standard navigation aids. Boats, reefs and waves all reflect distinct radar and visual signatures. It also doesn't take much to plot course and speed, which will highlight suspicious movements.

Modern cargo ships are designed for speed and endurance. Once aware of a threat, even laden vessels can sprint between 21 and 28 knots. This is dangerous for boarders, and can exhaust pirate fuel.

Size matters too. Trying to stop a ship with a rocket-propelled grenade is like trying to stop a car with a bottle rocket. It takes luck and skill to do anything except scare the crew. But most important is a high and tidy deck line. Ladders, line and hoses should be retracted and secure - that's basic seamanship.

Ships have basic vulnerabilities, too. They may take a main shaft offline to preserve fuel or a cranky engine, which reduces evasion. Civilians rely on autopilot, and lack personnel or training to stand a tactical lookout. Loaded vessels also sit lower to the waterline, making it easier to board.

Pirates have their own countermeasures: sea camouflage, hiding among innocent boats and ambushing vulnerable vessels. While Somali militants prefer no-frills motorboats, I expect some pirates to invest their ransom rewards into heavy craft, weapons, and electronic jamming tools.

For the most part, though, the open nature of the sea favors nations over the guerrilla. We need the will and sense to use it.

Brian Ranzoni, Albany