Source: Pirates repel sailors attempting to reach captain

CNN ^ | 4/11/09 | Staff

[BarnacleCenturion]

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Pirates off the eastern coast of Africa fired on U.S. sailors Saturday as they tried to reach the lifeboat where an American captain is being held, a U.S. official familiar with the situation told CNN.

The gunfire forced the sailors, who did not return fire, to turn back, the official said.

The incident took place some 12 hours ago as the guided missile destroyer USS Bainbridge sent a small team toward the lifeboat, said the official.

[SlapHappyPappy]

I actually thought snipers were the solution until I saw a pic of what these life boats look like. They are completely enclosed. They are also virtually unsinkable.

[BIGLOOK]

Might be some technical politcal difficulties in the open ocean.

This would have all been over 24 hours after the initial contact if the Navy got the "Go".

The teams from Little Creek would have ended it in a New York minute.

[dusttoyou]

Have you ever tried to shoot at a human from a rocking ship or boat?

Personally No, but throughout history its a sure thing LOTS of humans have been shot and killed from rocking ships or boats.

If you are more correctly referring to sniping, I have no doubt Navy Seal snipers are more than proficient at this very task.

[varina davis]

The Easter Bunny?

[MissouriConservative]

This administration seriously reminds me of Carter’s White House. Carter had the botched hostage rescue in Iran, Obama has this off the coast of Somalia.

Why the sailors didn’t return fire is beyond me.

[ding_dong_daddy_from_dumas]

Don’t picture your usual rubber tube life raft. This boat holds a 10 day supply of food for 34 PEOPLE. It is covered.

[Mike Darancette]

A question: What happened to the boat the pirates used to get to the ship?

[combat_boots]

What is this whole event distracting us from seeing?

Are these terrorists Kenyan?

[paratrooper82]

Careful everyone, this may be a diversion to eat up their supply of ammo. This diversion may have been used to get SEALS in place also.

Correct me if I am wrong, but, isn't the piracy of a nations vessel an act of war? Why in the hell don't we then hit these bastards at home where they live and spend their ill gotten booty?

[noodler]

We can bitch and criticize all day but there probably a dozen operations working as we speak. He hasn’t eviserated our miltary yet. Probably just said “take care of that”. My problem is with the dems sitting in these meetings who might as well be on “facebook” with the pirates. They can’t keep their mouth shut a minute. It’s on French Press or somewhere before we even read about it.

[Raster Man]

“Because it’s a hostage crisis, you need enough time to pass for the pirates to get very sleepy.”

But Democrats view sleep deprivation as torture. Remember, Democrats will only use force against their own citizens (Waco, Elian Gonzalez), but they coverup (OKC, TWA 800) and investigate without end (1993 WTC, Cole, African embassies, etc etc) acts by terrorists.

[luvbach1]

Pirates just hate resolutions and sanctions.

And if that doesn't work there is always censure.

[not2worry]

I assume a heat seeking missile would work.

Looking at the life boat it's got to be really hot inside that baby.

Also, if the Captain escaped from the boat I can't quite fathom why the Navy could not have gotten him. From the looks of the boat it would not be an easy task for the pirates to haul him back in.

My guess is that these pirates don't know how to swim either!

My bet is O has given orders to stand down at any cost, including the lives of our United States Military.

[luvbach1]

I’m betting on American competence! Nothing less.

Well and good. But what if Obama isn't an American?

[Wolfstar]

I am deeply missing President George W. Bush about now.

[Boanarges]

Your are way ahead of the Obama administration, they don’t move that quick. First, a Congressional hearing to find out what went wrong and how this happened and then Congress can assemble a panel to discuss options for a resolution. But before that, an oversight committee would need to be established so that the panel could have transparency.

This whole hostage crisis will be wrapped up 180 days!

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

They definitely were not talking about the Maersk Alabama, as they reported it had already docked, in the same newscast.

[Rodm]

A leader with guts would take over the Somali coast. Sink every boat or ship. Round up all the terrorist’s relatives and possessions.

[luvbach1]

The U.S. Navy — which is in charge of the situation...

Hard to believe the POTUS is not calling the shots, or should I say, the non-shots.

[erman]

I doubt that the DDG has a SEAL team aboard. The LHD on the other hand, might. Why not approach the escape boat underwater, tie a line to the prop shaft and slowly drag it towards the DDG?

If the President wanted a SEAL team on that boat, they'd of had plenty of time to get one anywhere they are needed.

That's what's neat about having meat-eating warriors at the ready. This is a classic op for SEAL teams. It's not like holding a base or taking an airport or "peacekeeping"...

If I were in the hands of pirates, thugs, muzzies or anybody I'd want a SEAL team to come get me. I'll let the FBI burn compounds, shoot women and fight music piracy. You know, the really important stuff.