UK-registered vessels will be able to employ armed guards to defend themselves against pirates under new guidance confirmed by the government.

The move comes after a significant increase in the number of attacks against vessels in the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden in recent years. 

Evidence shows that vessels with armed guards are less likely to be successfully attacked, which is why the government has been working in recent months to allow the lawful use of armed guards in exceptional circumstances.

Shipping Minister Mike Penning said: "The word 'pirate' can conjure up cartoonish images of eye patches, parrots and wooden legs, but the reality is much more serious.  Modern pirates are dangerous, organised criminals who have shown they are not shy of using violence to achieve their goals.  We have not taken this decision lightly. It is clear that we must offer those flying the Red Ensign every opportunity to ensure the safety of their crews and vessels."

He concluded: "By allowing the use of armed guards in a structured, legal framework we can move to a system where ship owners can provide an adequate deterrent against this scourge on the maritime industry."

The guidance will be kept under review to ensure it reflects continuing work being done at both a national and international level to counter the increase in piracy around the world.

The exact circumstances under which the use of armed guards could be permitted are:

• when the ship is transiting the high seas throughout the High Risk Area (an area bounded by Suez and the Straights of Hormuz to the North, 10°S and 78°E); and
• the latest ‘Best Management Practices’ are being followed fully but, on their own, are not deemed by the shipping company and the ship’s master as sufficient to protect against acts of piracy; and
• the use of armed guards is assessed to reduce the risk to the lives and well being of those on-board the ship.

In the last four years, 64 people have lost their lives as a consequence of Somali piracy.  Currently 12 vessels and over 240 hostages are in the control of pirates off the Somali coast.