Our only limit is our unwillingness to sacrifice the Captain. Sink the damn ships in the least violent way and see how many of the hostages actually are killed as the ships slowly sink. Once the ships are sinking killing the hostages will not help them since they will have nothing to negotiate with. It will be every pirate for himself. Then, pick up the hostages and leave the pirates and their soaking wet AKs floating out to sea.
It shows the limits of Zero and the Rats. We had a window of opportunity to take back the lifeboat..the Seals know how. But that was blown. Also..somehow we are allowing the pirates to use a radio(doubtfull) or satelite phone to communicate. We could have them down to only one number to call and cut out their communications with other pirates.