US navy captures Somali pirates.

BBC ^

[MARKUSPRIME]

The US navy says it has captured a number of suspected pirates in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Somalia.

The guided missile destroyer USS Winston S Churchill went in pursuit of a suspect vessel after receiving a report of piracy, the navy said.

When other efforts failed, the Churchill fired warning shots to bring the boat to a halt.

[csvset]

The pic was marked as Getty Images, which are a no-no. The same pic is available on the Navy's website. The pic is credited as

U.S. Navy photo by Chief Information Specialist Kenneth Anderson (RELEASED)

So, I'm not sure how Getty lays claim to the pic, unless the one on the BBC was hosted by Getty or sold to Getty. At any rate, piss on Getty and their images.

[hedgetrimmer]

Great day to be a US Crewman who can tell his grandchildren that he helped catch pirates.

In the grand tradition of Stephen Decatur and the United States Navy.

For hundreds of years, Barbary pirates had been the terror of the Mediterranean. In 1804, Decatur himself had given these guerrilla sailors their first taste of failure. On Feb. 16 of that year, pirates had captured the U.S. frigate Philadelphia. With a small ship and even smaller crew, Decatur slipped into the harbor and scuttled the Philadelphia, burning it without the loss of even one of his men. The British admiral Lord Nelson called it "the most daring act of the age." In negotiating the peace treaty, Decatur put an end to the extortionist tributes that had been demanded from all ships by the pirates.

[sam_paine]

At any rate, piss on Getty and their images.

But I like Geddy's band!

[csvset]

Yeah, it sucks to be a pirate and have the US NAVY catch you.

Perhaps this catch will provide some good intel.

[sam_paine]

Well, I did not know that's who Decatur, Texas was named after! Learned something from FR!

[Blueflag]

Also, notice what appear to be 'sand bags' arranged on the upper deck.

Probably not sand (too top heavy) in the bags, but it sure looks like a small-arms barrier.

Also, the bilge pump is working pretty hard too. No exposed "curious" crew either. All in their fighting positions?

[Boundless]

> law of the sea is to just blow them out of the water
> - equal to "shoot, shovel, shutup" on land.

Except that in this case, it appears that the dhow
itself was a victim of the pirates, who hijacked it.
Some of the original innocent crew were still on
board, and the USN is having to sort it out.

[skimask]

To this day, Steven Decatur is the youngest person (28 years old) to attain the rank of Captian in the United States Navy.

[skinkinthegrass]

Except that in this case, it appears that the dhow itself was a victim of the pirates, who hijacked it. Some of the original innocent crew were still on board, and the USN is having to sort it out.

This is even better: Evidence of Piracy on the High Seas...Oh! Nevermind.

..."the USN had no search warrants"...screams, "Swimmer" Kennedy, "Dirty" Reid and "Botox" Pelosi

[hedgetrimmer]

Decatur was one of the most fascinating and daring of our early naval officers. His biography is a great read.

[Mount Athos]

It's good to see Winston Churchill is still fighting the bad guys! I can't think of a greater national leader in the past century. He's half American too (mother).

[NRA2BFree]

They should have blown them out of the water. How's that for a little Christian compassion? LOL

[sam_paine]

Re: Photo #NH56753.... A) How did the photographer keep his camera steady? B) Are you sure this is not a Getty image?

[pankot]

Aren't pirates supposed to be immediately hung (hanged?) from the yardarm when caught?