Posted on 04/03/2010 4:31:33 AM PDT by myknowledge
Somali pirates are not having it all their own way at present. In the latest incident, some unsophisticated pirates, seeing a large vessel on the horizon, sped up to it hoping for rich pickings only to find themselves confronting a US navy missile frigate, which exchanged fire severely damaging both of their boats, and later capturing the mother ship.
April 2, 2010, [PDN]: Just after midnight, west of the Seychelles Islands, a gang of three pirates fired on a 453-foot American warship, the USS Nicholas, mistaking it for a commercial vessel. To their chagrin, the pirates found they had bitten off considerably more than they could chew as the frigate fired back, incapacitating one of their boats, a skiff, which was boarded and the three pirates detained, after which it was sunk. Their other boat was captured after a chase and another two pirates were taken into custody. The pirates further discovered that, not only had they taken on a warship, but that it was on the lookout for them in particular. They were detained and may face trial in the US for piray on the high seas.
Pirates operating off Somalia have increased hijack attacks on ships in the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden, ranging as far as the Mozambique Channel and off the coast of India, in addition to beginning to target ships bringing cargo to Mogadishu’s port, reaping tens of millions of dollars in ransoms. They have currently captured at least eight mechanized Indian dhows.
In 2009, there were 406 incidents of piracy and armed robbery half of which were carried out by Somali pirates, despite the increasing amount of foreign naval vessels sent to patrol the area. The constitution of the pirates has also changed recently with more involvement by rebel Islamists. Reuters reported Sheikh Abdullahi Sheikh Abu Yusuf, an Ahlu Sunna spokesman as saying “Piracy is not the same as before, al Shabaab and Hizbul Islam are now the majority of pirates.”
The incident with the USS Nicholas was not the only one which went badly for the pirates in the area, on Wednesday, March 31, the Turkish frigate Gelibolu, a warship of the NATO anti-piracy patrol, while patrolling the security corridor for merchant shipping 80 miles from the coast, came across a pirate skiff which was boarded and nine pirates captured.
Informed opinion maintains say piracy will continue to be a danger to ships until an effective government takes control in Somalia.
keelhauling ping !
Hang ‘em from the yardarm, matey.
“They were detained and may face trial in the US for piray on the high seas. “
May? they should walk the plank, feed the sharks, or be hung.
I wonder how you say, “Oh, [bleep], dude, they’re [bleepin’] shootin’ at us!” in Somali.
“They were detained and may face trial in the US for piray on the high seas.”
...or Obama will just invite them to a White House dinner.
Beer summit part 2.
It was a calculated risk. Another FReeper pointed out that there was a 50/50 chance that the Obama rules of engagement would require the Navy ship to surrender when fired upon.
If every pirate caught at seas were executed on the spot maybe some would rethink their choice of careers
GO NAVY!
We’ve lost the concept of the punitive expedition. This is not A Good Thing.
Please ,Please, Please don’t bring them back to the U.S.A
Do the christian thing and let them “swim” home 300 or so miles?
“may face trial in the US for piray on the high seas.”
Why sure. More like we’ll feed them, and give them a ride back to shore.
No! No! Didn’t you read that they will be tried in the US, After all, He ain’t heavy, He’s my brother.
barbra ann
Being an ex-mariner I’d prefer just to have their boats sunk and the pirates left to fend for themselves. Leave the survivors with their dead and wounded to the sea.
I still would like to see a Q ship program, let the pirates think they are taking off a defenseless cargo ship, and bam, drop the panels and give them sustained five inch gunfire..
Candidates for the Darwin Award :)
The pirate skiffs are small.
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