Of the estimated 12 armoury ships operating globally, at least four are known to operate off the coast of Fujairah.They rent weapons to security companies that guard merchant vessels in the areas where pirates are active, and act as ammunition stores for security companies en route to UAE, Yemen or Saudi Arabian waters, where weapons from other countries are banned.On October 1, the Sri Lankan-flagged “Sinbad” was seized by the coastguard after it strayed into UAE waters. Sinbad is operated by Avant Garde Maritime Services, which runs two other armouries, off the coast of southern Sri Lanka and in the Red Sea.All are sanctioned by their government for use by private maritime security companies, a company spokesman said. Avant Garde’s website says its clients can rent arms including automatic weapons, ammunition, body armour, light machineguns and night-vision goggles from them.It also charges US$25  a day to store the weapons and ammunition of other security companies. Maj Nissanka Senadhipathi, chairman of Avant Garde, declined to give the number of weapons aboard Sinbad but confirmed the arms were owned by the Sri Lankan government.”Nobody was arrested, they just questioned the men,” said Maj Senadhipathi. “They were not treated as detainees. “We were checked and our authenticity as a joint venture with the government of Sri Lanka was proved. The ship was released after five to seven days after the check was conducted.”UAE authorities confirmed an incident had been investigated. Sources said the case had been referred to Fujairah prosecution.Security experts say the incident highlights the need for stronger regulation and clear standards to prevent the chances of weapons falling into the wrong hands.Maj Senadhipathi said of the Sinbad: “We are highly protected. There are 15 men from the RALL [Rakna Arakshaka Lanka Sri Lanka sea marshals] guarding the weapons at any time.”Protection Vessels International is another company operating patrol boats that store arms, but their ships in the Red Sea and off Fujairah are for private use only to store firearms for clients.”We have our own vessels for embarking and disembarking firearms and these are regulated [under British law] and under our control,” said Simon Osborne, sales director at the maritime security company.It was also revealed these armoury ships were owned by the Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa.