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78 Comments
- Dread08, on 04/12/2009, -5/+21At least Obama made the call to have the Seal teams Raid.............Everyone states that he's a pussy, but he didn't ***** around with the last ship
- PeachesTheCow, on 04/13/2009, -1/+11Nuke who exactly? Good thing you're not old enough to vote.
- asgardshill, on 04/13/2009, -1/+9Look, the pirates are using small boats (Boston Whaler size and lower) to get to and board these vessels, and are not usually armed with anything more formidable than AK-47s and RPGs. And it shouldn't take the firepower (or the expense) of a multi-billion dollar Aegis-class destroyer escorting each cargo ship to get them safely to port.
From what I understand, the source of most of the trouble here is a patchwork of local laws that prohibit crew members on cargo ships from having the small arms it would take to repel the pirates on board. So just make it clear to the politicians passing these laws that, if they don't immediately make liberal exceptions to their laws, they'll have to make other arrangements to get their cargo delivered. I don't get my deck-mounted .50 caliber? You don't get your shipment of cooking oil and cheap Chinese tchotchkes. Problem solved. - pathouston22, on 04/13/2009, -3/+10BUT BUT BUT we're not the worlds police force!!! We should remove our navy from that region entirely!!!
- borez, on 04/13/2009, -1/+8Can't they just make these ships unboardable whilst at sea? I mean some of these ships are 30-100ft out of the water... we do have anti-climb paint etc.
- inactive, on 04/13/2009, -2/+8I think it is not the responsiblity of the navy forces around the world. The greedy shipping companies should hire ex military & other security personnel who are well armed to defend their ships. A sniper rifle, an assualt rifle and possibly a rocket propelled grenade launcher should do the trick. If every ship crossing the somali strait has this, piracy will become a thing of the past.The moment you start blowing a few up, word gets around fast & senses start to kick in.
- james188foster, on 04/13/2009, -1/+7I don't understand how these container Ships can have millions of pounds worth of goods on them but no mercenaries armed to the teeth to protect them. The Shipping companies should employ private military comapnies like Blackwater. These Somalis are desparate and will only be repelled with brute force.
- TheHighPrivate, on 04/13/2009, -1/+7Shipping companies need to begin to take precautions against piracy. They must either arm and train their crews or hire private security firms to ensure the safety of their cargo. If they do not choose to defend their ships then they must be prepared to pay ransom for the release of the ships and crews; these companies cannot operate under the assumption that the navies of their respective countries will always be available to rescue their employees.
- viper001, on 04/13/2009, -1/+6http://www.foreignpolicy.com/story/cms.php?story_i ...
A good, objective read on the subject.
It's a really difficult situation, as even arming the merchant ships would lead to disaster. I don't know about you guys, but a rocket propelled grenade smashing into a ship's hull isn't what I'd want to risk when facing starving teenage pirates with nothing to lose. - alvarezg, on 04/13/2009, -0/+5I suggest submarine escorts. Let the pirates make the move to attack, surface, and blow them away- no need to waste a torpedo. Since they'll never know who has an escort and who doesn't, the deterrent effect multiplies.
- hymneforthedead, on 04/13/2009, -1/+6we can call it, THE OUT LAW STAR!!!!
- nicepants, on 04/13/2009, -0/+52 words: Bait Ships.
Go ahead...let the pirates board a remotely-controlled honeypot ship...and once they realize that there are no people on board to take hostage, set off a few tons of explosives. Problem solved....mythbusters style. - kosh271, on 04/13/2009, -0/+4Why not just form a small convoy with ships instead of sending them out one at a time? It worked for during WWII. It made it harder to find a vulnerable ship (because they were all in the same place in the "vast" area). A single protection vessel could be used to protect multiple ships. Any other ideas?
- dalittle, on 04/13/2009, -3/+7it is even worse than that. The GOP were positioning for political gain before Obama made the call. How patriotic for conservatives to take this hostage situation as an opportunity for their own gain. Sometimes I wonder if they have any idea what those flag lapel pins they want to try to make everyone wear actually mean. Cowards.
- inactive, on 04/13/2009, -1/+5They could even include a remote controlled "bait" ship at the end. Paint it up with dollar signs and leave a big ladder hanging off the back. Then when they board, the whole ship seals itself, becoming a prison barge!
- mohrt, on 04/13/2009, -1/+5Instead of trying to get to the ships in danger, give them something to defend themselves. I don't know what would be effective. Maybe a barrel full of torpedoes? When the pirates are in pursuit, dump a barrel or two off the back of the ship, and then sit back and watch hells fury unleash on the pirate vessel. :)
- mohrt, on 04/13/2009, -2/+6I get it. Pirating ships is exactly like pirating music and movies. Riiiight.
- inactive, on 04/13/2009, -0/+4Greedy? Because they ship things and would like to not have them stolen or their crew killed?
- Rikkochet, on 04/13/2009, -1/+4That seems like a much simpler and cheaper approach than having armadas patrolling an enormous ocean.
I'm sure the cost of a couple of mercenaries and some weaponry per ship is insignificant compared to what the shipping companies are paying in insurance premiums to cover the ransoms they pay out. - inactive, on 04/13/2009, -1/+4There's no such thing as a nice minefield. They are a gift that keeps on taking.
- wefandango, on 04/13/2009, -1/+4shouldn't it be protecting against piracy difficult in AVAST area?
yarr - nicepants, on 04/13/2009, -0/+3Paint them (pirates) with lead...that'll stop most climbing pretty quickly.
- mdaize, on 04/13/2009, -0/+2what about a long grapple hook?
- borez, on 04/13/2009, -1/+3Anti-climb paint, grease or electrified razor wire half way up or something. I'm sure there's a pretty easy solution to all of this, I mean these cargo's are worth an absolute fortune.
- Talphin, on 04/13/2009, -0/+2I don't see what the big deal is... Just send out one small boat, with one ninja on it, and the problem is solved!
- Phaedryn, on 04/13/2009, -4/+6Do you even know what the circumstances were?
Apparently not, since you have your facts wrong. There was no ‘raid’, a situation presented itself, and sharpshooters reacted. It wasn’t as if someone developed a detailed plan of action, presented it to Obama, and he signed off on it. He was informed of the events *after* the fact. The only thing he did was reaffirm the standard ROE to allow deadly force if the life of the hostage was in imminent danger.
Talk about grasping at straws... - Phaedryn, on 04/13/2009, -2/+4Armed crews will be the eventual solution to the problem. I don't doubt that a number of security firms are already pitching their services to various shipping companies.
- 2of8, on 04/13/2009, -1/+3Who is "you guys"? Do you have proof of james188foster complaining about black water "a few short months ago"?
It's not "one big Digg collective" vs "you". It's a whole bunch of people with different opinions. - Tarnum, on 04/13/2009, -1/+3Yeah, It's very difficult to wait day or two to form convoys with navy escorts.
- inactive, on 04/13/2009, -1/+3The exterior rail can be designed so there is nothing to hook, such as with an oversize, rounded edge.
- inactive, on 04/14/2009, -0/+2It's pointless to swat a few hornets. Or to protect against them.
Go after the nest and get them all. - inactive, on 04/13/2009, -1/+3You may have missed the irony. His argument is mocking the type oft put forth by those who would defend media piracy.
- GroundIsSound, on 04/15/2009, -0/+2The Somalian govt asked the UN for help in controlling its own seas, which resulted in security council resolution 1846 (2008), giving other countries the right to assist Somalian forces and even use force against Somalian pirates in Somalia's coastal seas.
- FairDinkumMate, on 04/14/2009, -0/+2And US & other countries ports would be over the moon about allowing ships registered to a flag of convenience country, manned by people from any number of countries(maybe even Muslims - oh no!) into their port carrying RPG's & with .50 caliber guns mounted all over them?
Today, more than half of the world’s merchant ships (measured by tonnage) are registered under the so-called flags of convenience.(Source:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flags_of_convenience) - angusm, on 04/13/2009, -0/+2Many ships in those waters have already started traveling in convoy, but there are a lot of ships and not enough escort vessels to go around.
Arming the ships gets you into an arms race: the pirates (or their backers) have made a _lot_ of money off ransom payments, which gives them a substantial cash reserve that they can spend on heavy weapons.
I'm thinking that a few Sea Harriers might come in handy. They can fly off assault ships (rather than aircraft carriers), and nothing says "We're serious about piracy" quite like an AV-8B coming over the horizon at six hundred miles per hour when a merchant ship sends out a distress call. - gigi52, on 04/14/2009, -0/+2trouble is, the shipping industry is 'encouraged' by governments - and the UN not be arm themselves as they see this as a possible incitement to act unprovoked. And fire upon a competitor not a pirate.
- Barackalypse, on 04/13/2009, -1/+3Sure, with 10 minutes to act you'll never be able to prevent the ship from being taken, but with helicopter mounted commandos, you'll always arrive in plenty of time to make sure the pirates don't live to ever see any benefit from their actions.
- Claverhouse, on 04/13/2009, -0/+2I believe he was [correctly] attributing greed to them since they would be unwilling to pay extra crew for purely defensive purposes instead of relying upon states to send navies to bail them out.
Rather like begrudging money spent on hiring watchmen at night for factories etc.. - imarascal, on 04/14/2009, -1/+2I'll drinkk to that Every ship should have weaponry to deter such piracy,,,,I mean big visible guns..like those on destroyers ..Any craft within 50 feet of the ship should be issued a warning blast..........
- wcarver, on 04/14/2009, -0/+1The ships only have to be protected in that area not their entire trip. Why not have a small fleet of boats (like a swift boat or maybe larger)with one escorting one or more cargo ships back and forth through the danger area.
The boat wouldn't have to be under power unless needed, as it could be on a tow line from the cargo ship. Use Blackwater, or one of their ilk, for crew - better they are out in the middle of the ocean than lurking around the streets of the US.
AND LET THE COMPANIES FOOT THE BILL. - gigi52, on 04/14/2009, -1/+2"prepared to pay ransom"? you have got to be kidding me. So it is OK for the pirates since the shipping companies should have to pay? what plane of reality are you on? These ships are registered in respective countries and our treaties and relationships are based on maritime law and international law. Expecting to pay ransom is not part of the deal.
- FairDinkumMate, on 04/14/2009, -0/+1Yeh - because obviously there's only like one or two boatloads of them....
- inactive, on 04/14/2009, -0/+1Criticize a person with no political power and it's ok.
Suck the ***** of the powerful and you get rewarded.
Criticize the state and you are a pirate or terrorist.
It's funny that people who don't believe the corporate media on a whole host of issues suddenly believe it on this one. Cognitive dissonance -2... - henismightier, on 04/13/2009, -0/+1@wargala
Damn you're slow. - Phaedryn, on 04/14/2009, -1/+2@malanic
Except that is NOT what is happening. These pirates are taking PEOPLE,by FORCE then extorting ransom for thier release...
yep...same thing completely...
/rollseyes - PeachesTheCow, on 04/13/2009, -6/+7My thoughts exactly. I'm so tired of the idiots around here calling Obama a wimp. Now what shall they say? Nice job, I hope.
- dollar0dot02, on 04/14/2009, -1/+2Cool. Not only we will have modern day pirats but also modern day mutineers.
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