Posted on 04/08/2009 4:04:52 AM PDT by rightwingextremist1776
NAIROBI, Kenya - Somali pirates have hijacked a cargo ship with 21 Americans onboard, officials said on Wednesday.
The 17,000-ton Maersk Alabama was taken Wednesday, according to the Kenya-based diplomat who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.
A spokeswoman for the U.S. Fifth Fleet confirmed that a Danish-owned, U.S.-operated container ship carrying 21 Americans "came under attack" about 240 nautical miles southeast of Ayel, Somalia. She said the crew had radioed for help but the closest naval ship was about 300 nautical miles away at the time. The official was unable to confirm the name of the vessel.
(Excerpt) Read more at msnbc.msn.com ...
Here’s an interesting story from Forbes:
High Seas
Blackwater Floats Private Navy To Fight Pirates
William Pentland, 10.23.08, 02:16 PM EDT
Controversial military contractor joins the fight in Somalia’s waters.
In September, Somali pirates captured a Ukrainian ship bound for Kenya that had a cargo of 33 T-72 tanks and other military equipment. Despite the presence of a number of U.S. Naval vessels, the pirates have refused to return the ship until they receive a $35 million ransom.
The brazen assault made headlines around the world, but it was simply the highest-profile attack in the region of late. More than 70 shipping vessels have been attacked off the coast of Somalia in the past year. Eleven of those ships and 200 crew members are still being held for ransom by rogue Somali pirates.
Foreign navies have begun patrolling the Gulf of Aden to rein in the pirate gangs off the coast of northern Somalia, but they have had only limited success. As a result, ship owners have seen insurance premiums for coverage of passage through the Straits of Aden climb from an average of $900 to $9,000.
In Pictures: The World’s Most Dangerous Waters
http://www.forbes.com/2008/10/23/blackwater-pirates-somalia-biz-logistics-cx_wp_1023blackwater.html
One does not wonder! See post #10
He will do nothing.
“They'll tune in to CNN and find out Bush is no longer president, that America finally has its first truly global, metro-kinda-president named barack HUSSEIN obama, and they will let them go and apologize. That's just the kid of effect I have on people.”
God bless and protect the sailors, but it is fun to watch this putz of a president having his ass handed to him. Maybe the idiots who voted for him will realize that the world hates them as much as they hate all Americans, and they'll vote for someone who doesn't hate America next time.
Different headline....different source......just sayin’
Barbary Pirates pretty much
The Somali pirates are running a pretty effective scam:
They capture a ship, sell the cargo, get $$$.
Or they ‘ransom’ the ship back to its owner, and get $$$.
If they keep the cargo, the shipper’s insurance pays for the loss.
[Wonder how many of those shippers use AIG — who is getting taxpayer bailouts.]
==
Apparently, ship crews are not allowed to be armed (if I heard right via Fox&Friends this morning), so the pirates pretty much have free reign of the area.
==
Considering the number of pirate attacks/captures (7 just this week?), it seems the interenational community isn’t too concerned. The piracy has been going on for years, with little response.
Paging the US Navy SEALs.
>>>> ship crews are not allowed to be armed <<<<<<
Once a vessel is in port or within a nation’s waters it is subject to the laws of that nation, including its gun laws.
Too many legal liabilities in carrying weapons.
Over to you, zer0. What’s it gonna be?
Oh, I do hope this doesn't interfere with his Wednesday cocktail party.
Yes with the threat of the next one will be sent in Red.
Yes. Funny you should mention.
It was us against Barbary pirates. The U.S. sent the very best: Lt. Presley O’bannon of the Marines. Apparently, he did so well in ridding Tripoli of these Muslim bastards that the Pasha of Tripoli gave him in gratitude his treasured sword with a Mameluke hilt which has become the official symbol of authority for Marine officers. (I have one in my closet.) The Marine hymn also celebrates the heroism of Lt. O’bannon and his small band of Marines: ‘From the halls of Montezuma, to the shores of Tripoli....’
Well here is a test for the Obama administration. The only question is how long it will take for them to pony up the cash. The Obama administration will apologize first.
Actually, I bet Obama will have a strong response to this one. It’s a low risk way for him to look tough, and will provide cover for the more difficult decisions on which he’s dropping the ball (i.e. N. Korea and Iran).
I read somewhere that ransom is actually a cost of doing business for shipping companies..
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