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Japan Tanker Seized Off Africa Released
Breitbart ^ | Dec 11, 2007 | MARI YAMAGUCHI

Posted on 12/11/2007 7:44:26 PM PST by RDTF

TOKYO (AP) - Pirates freed a Japanese chemical tanker loaded with highly explosive benzene off the coast of Somalia Wednesday, six weeks after seizing the vessel and its crew, a U.S. Navy spokesman said.

All 22 crew members were unhurt, the Navy said, and the pirates were seen heading toward the Somali coast.

The Golden Nori was seized off the east coast of Somalia in late October carrying up to 40,000 tons of benzene. The U.S. Navy came to the aid of the vessel that month, with the guided missile destroyer USS Porter opening fire to destroy pirate skiffs tied to the ship, and the Navy monitoring the ship afterward.

"All the pirates are off the ship, and the first indication is that all crew members are unharmed," Lt. John Gay, a U.S. Navy spokesman told The Associated Press.

The 6,253-ton tanker was carrying crew from Myanmar, the Philippines and South Korea. One of the two South Korean crew members escaped and was rescued by a passing vessel in early November.

Gay said a U.S. Navy vessel was still monitoring the ship, while standing by for a possible request for assistance.

The Golden Nori is expected to "go to a safe port," Gay said. "If necessary, we will provide an escort."

(Excerpt) Read more at breitbart.com ...


TOPICS: Extended News; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: gonavy; pirates; somalia; usnavy; usnavytotherescue; ussporter

1 posted on 12/11/2007 7:44:26 PM PST by RDTF
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To: RDTF
Image hosted by Photobucket.com if the pirates make it to shore... heads should roll!!!
2 posted on 12/11/2007 7:50:31 PM PST by Chode (American Hedonist)
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To: RDTF

Send the bill to the Japanese.


3 posted on 12/11/2007 7:59:45 PM PST by Last Dakotan (All my tools are hammers, except screwdrivers which are chisels and punches.)
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To: RDTF

Bizarre! We destroyed their skiffs. They were “seen” heading
for shore. By whom? In what?
Our Navy was there? WTF?


4 posted on 12/11/2007 8:20:15 PM PST by Fireone (We need the 2nd Amendment to ensure the others. Fred Thompson/Hunter in 2008)
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To: Fireone

Perhaps lifeboats from the Japanese vessel were used for their escape, but you’re entirely correct that there are unanswered questions in this report.


5 posted on 12/11/2007 8:42:37 PM PST by rockinqsranch (Dems, Libs, Socialists...call 'em what you will...They ALL have fairies livin' in their trees.)
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To: Chode

One presumes that the pirates took the sailors as hostages in the life boats.


6 posted on 12/11/2007 8:44:20 PM PST by Southack (Media Bias means that Castro won't be punished for Cuban war crimes against Black Angolans in Africa)
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To: RDTF

The Golden Nori is expected to “go to a safe port,” Gay said.

Better it go to a safe port than to a gay port.


7 posted on 12/11/2007 9:04:02 PM PST by Wally_Kalbacken (Seldom right but never in doubt)
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To: Chode

A Predator prowling the skies to track where these guys headed to once they made land, and then a little missile present from Santa would seem to be in order to me.


8 posted on 12/11/2007 9:39:57 PM PST by rednesss (Fred Thompson - 2008)
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To: rednesss

Santa’s Sleigh is armed with Hellfire Missiles? Gosh, he must be going high tech these days = )


9 posted on 12/11/2007 11:20:12 PM PST by a_chronic_whiner (FRED 08)
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To: Wally_Kalbacken

I bet Lieutenant Gay has a very thick skin.


10 posted on 12/12/2007 3:30:07 AM PST by tlj18 (Keep your eye on China, they are our #1 enemy....)
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To: a_chronic_whiner
"Santa’s Sleigh is armed with Hellfire Missiles? Gosh, he must be going high tech these days = )"

He had to after the first attack by the muslim terrorists at the north pole.

11 posted on 12/12/2007 9:14:32 AM PST by rednesss (Fred Thompson - 2008)
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To: Fireone; rockinqsranch

The skiffs were used by the pirates to intercept and board the tanker. They were being towed astern of the tanker when they were destroyed but the pirates were already on board and in control of the tanker. The tanker escaped into Somali territorial waters where it was held until released. USN and multinational CTF 150 forces will not enter Somali territorial waters in pursuit of pirates (although I thought I recently saw a change in this policy).

P.S. My last ship was part of this force in late 2005-early 2006.


12 posted on 12/12/2007 9:51:50 AM PST by GATOR NAVY
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To: GATOR NAVY

Thank You.


13 posted on 12/12/2007 12:20:29 PM PST by rockinqsranch (Dems, Libs, Socialists...call 'em what you will...They ALL have fairies livin' in their trees.)
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To: GATOR NAVY

1. Thank you for your service!
2. Thanks for the explanation.


14 posted on 12/12/2007 7:28:02 PM PST by Fireone (We need the 2nd Amendment to ensure the others. Fred Thompson/Hunter in 2008)
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