U.S. warship sinks two pirate skiffs

CNN ^ | October 29, 2007 | Unknown

[decimon]

The destroyer USS Porter enters port at Souda Bay, Greece, in 2006.

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A U.S. Navy warship fired on and sank two skiffs used by pirates Sunday to hijack a merchant vessel off the coast of Somalia, U.S. officials said Monday.

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At the request of Somalia's government, a second U.S. warship, the destroyer USS Arleigh Burke, is now shadowing the merchant ship inside Somali waters, the officials said.

In recent years, warships have stayed outside the 12-mile limit when chasing pirates.

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[decimon]

We're the Somali Coast Guard.

[American Quilter]

Yo ho, yo ho....

[swain_forkbeard]

I guess the world can’t rely on the British Admiralty anymore.

I say, hang’em from the yard-arm and come into port for a photo op.

[SolidWood]

I sure support sinking Pirates, who in this region often are the same bunch as the terrorists, but I resent that we use our Navy on request of Somalia’s government.

[magslinger]

Might as well sink them. Congress did away with prize money before WWII. Not that the boats would have been worth much, anyway.

[Chode]

Bravo Zulu!!!

[CitizenUSA]

decimon wrote: “We’re the Somali Coast Guard.”

That’s fine with me. Is our navy supposed to sit by and do nothing while pirates have free reign on merchant shipping? I hope not! To stand by and doing nothing while evil is perpetrated on peaceful civilians, especially when we have the power to intervene with little or no risk to ourselves, is wrong. Go US Navy!

[Sybeck1]

Anyone with any thoughts at what the ordinance would have been used?

[neodad]

USS Arleigh Burke, USS Porter

"I wish to have no Connection with any Ship that does not Sail fast for I intend to go in harm's way." John Paul Jones

[reagan_fanatic]

Now, THERE’S some skiff marks you can be proud of!

[Palmetto]

.S. warship sinks two pirate skiffs

Proof that the US Military is behind global warming.

[NRA2BFree]

Way to go! The US Navy rocks! May God Bless and protect all of those who serve in our military!

[Southack]

"I sure support sinking Pirates, who in this region often are the same bunch as the terrorists, but I resent that we use our Navy on request of Somalia’s government."

Nothing to resent. That's just diplo-speak for saying that a U.S. warship is within visual distance of the Somali coast, and that no one is protesting.

[VOA]

In recent years, warships have stayed outside the 12-mile limit
when chasing pirates.

Call me extreme...
but too bad we didn't have one of the Iowa-class battleships
park at 13 miles out and lob shells into Mogadishu some years back.

It would have neutralized some skinnies, scared the rest and
probably not been noticeable to journalists.
Because Mogadishu already looked like it had been hit by heavy bombardment!
Even before "Blackhawk Done".

[VOA]

OOPS!
“Even before “Blackhawk Done”.”

Of course, my brain meant “Blackhawk Down”.
I don’t know what the h-ll my fingertips were thinking!

[nuconvert]

pirate pong (never sent one of those before) lol

[353FMG]

Bringing a skiff to a destroyer fight.

[atomic conspiracy]

Looks like the Barbary corsairs have forgotten about Thomas Jefferson and moved south. Good thing the US Navy is still on hand to remind them.

[decimon]

...but I resent that we use our Navy on request of Somalia’s government.

I think this is just an extension of our ground and air operations against the Somalian AQ types and in support of the Ethiopians.

[C210N]

Shouldn't we have first invoked the Right of Parley before firing?

I don't know about this... Pelosi and Reid will object...