Captain, Jeffrey Michael Raider, 45, of Texas, was arrested Aug. 29 when they found weapons during a search. The remaining 14 members of the cargo vessel were required to stay aboard the ship during the captain's detention. State Department spokesman Patrick Ventrell said the ship had the necessary customs paperwork for the rifles."We, of course, know that the high seas and that piracy have been a major topic in recent months and years, and so that's something we've been combating," he said. "It's normal for many ships to have some type of self defense on board."Pirate attacks happen often along the African coast of Somalia, though rarely occur along the shores of Latin America.The 120 meter (396 foot) vessel docked in the western port of Maracaibo on Aug. 29. It is operated by Intermarine LLC. The Houston  and New Orleans based company did not respond to a call seeking comment. Venezuelan Interior Ministry officials couldn't be reached for comment.The detention of the two Americans could stoke long standing tensions between Venezuela and the United States ahead of the presidential election, which is seen by many as the most difficult challenge Chvez has faced in his almost 14 years in power.