This is my hot-zone solution to piracy that gets around those tricky ‘no weapons’ port regulations.
Armed government or contracted guards board ships entering the pirate zone likely using a small boat like a zodiac. They protect the ship while it passes through pirate waters and disembark into their towed zodiac when the danger has passed. Then they board another vessel going into the opposite direction through the hot-zone. Repeat ad nasum. The guards would either need a friendly port nearby or a floating mothership to handle logistics and other noncombat functions.
Its a winner because:
a) Guards are only aboard the ship when needed.
b) Guards aren’t wasting time or money in the middle of nowhere.
c) No changes are required in the regulations of foreign ports.
