Posted on 11/07/2005 3:49:24 PM PST by SandRat
VICTORIA, Seychelles (NNS) -- The U.S. Navy responded Nov. 7 to a request to dispose of suspected unexploded ordnance left over from a rocket propelled grenade (RPG) that struck the cruise liner Seabourn Spirit during a Nov. 5 attack by pirates near the coast of Somalia.
Members of U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 8, Detachment 4, were already in Seychelles to provide support to a previously scheduled port visit by USS Gonzalez. The EOD team met Seabourn Spirit at sea prior to its arrival in port.
Two RPG rounds had struck Seabourn Spirit while the vessel evaded the pirates’ attempt to board.
Two technicians from the Navy team, led by Officer in Charge Lt. John Stewart, were transported via the Seychelles Port Authority pilot boat out to Seaborn Spirit early the morning of Nov. 7. Once aboard Spirit, the team made a thorough inspection of both the suspected unexploded ordnance and the impact area of the second RPG. The technicians determined that the object in question was actually the remains of a rocket motor and not the warhead from the RPG, which had detonated on impact.
“Upon boarding the ship we verified that the ship had set the proper hazardous exclusion zone from the suspected UXO (Unexploded Ordnance)," said Stewart. "We then made sure that the remnants of the RPG were no longer hazardous to the ship or the passengers,” said Stewart.
Once the technicians assured that there was no threat to the cruise liner’s passengers, the EOD team removed the remnants.
Navy comes to aid of Cruise Ship.
Just thinking out loud here. Why doesn't a cruise ship have a means of defense? I mean, it wouldn't take all that much for a 50 mm cannon to be mounted for ship defense.
The thought of a Somalai pirate trying to swim 100 miles to shore just makes me all warm inside.
Interesting, that explains why the RPGs "stuck" instead of exploded.
I think that deck guns would tend to make some of the passengers a bit nervous.
Although they do offer Skeet off the fantail...
Typical MSM. Leaving out the "Amish" again. I think it's time to start racial profiling.
Talent on loan from Gawwwwd.
Leni
PUCA mission complete....Big Watch Little Pecker Club Clock says it's now ......... Oh Beer Thirty !
Pretty nice...but I like Crystal
Probably the biggest problem would be finding a 50mm cannon and ammunition.
"the object in question was actually the remains of a rocket motor and not the warhead from the RPG, which had detonated on impact."
When they get the ship repaired I want to rent the room that got nailed by the RPG. Just gotta make sure it has a port window to look out of so I can fire an RPG back at them the next time they try something like that.
FC
That'll be one mission they won't forget!
Yeppers !
I wonder what kind of souvenirs they scored. Free shirts, hats, etc. Open bar for sure.
Members of U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 8, Detachment 4, were already in Seychelles to provide support to a previously scheduled port visit by USS Gonzalez. The EOD team met Seabourn Spirit at sea prior to its arrival in port.
Two RPG rounds had struck Seabourn Spirit while the vessel evaded the pirates’ attempt to board.
Yeah that's a given.......grateful females, hero worship, showin off their dearmer and the J-Rod etc etc ....a render safe to remember !
My big score was always the big jar of chocolate chip cookies at the Double Tree's lobby when chasing and breaking trail for the POTUS and his minions. Them cookies are potential foot poppers so we had to check each one over time......
But what do you say when folks ask you if you are SEALS????
LOL!
German BK-5 50mm Cannon 
"The BK-5 was an adaptation of a tank gun and was intended primarily for use against Allied heavy bombers. Its magazine held 22 rounds and the gun had a rate of fire of 45 rounds per minute. "
I think you can get these at Costco, they sell everything. :-D
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.