Nearly 100 years ago, the Royal Navy came up with a partially effective method for combatting German U-Boats in the North Atlantic. Q-Ships, heavily disguised and armed merchant ships, manned by RN crews, sank several U-Boats in surface engagements in which they heavily outgunned the U-Boats. The use of Q-Ships in WWII proved less successful, and was subsequently abandoned.

It would seem that the use of Q-Ships deserves at least try in the battle against piracy we are now facing, although it might require a little bending of current international maritime laws. In WWI, the Q-Ship hoisted the White Ensign (in place of the Red), at the moment of engagement. In addition, it would also seem possible for patrolling military aircraft to require any suspicious-looking craft (especially the so-called mother ships) to identify themselves, or risk boarding. The huge sums being paid out by the maritime insurance companies would surely justify at least a trial of these tactics.