Pirate attacks return to record levels ( Somalia )

The Financial Times ^ | March 30 2010 | Robert Wright

[george76]

Pirate attacks off Somalia’s coast are close to returning to the record levels seen last year as attackers adapt to the international naval presence by striking further offshore and using more violence.

A surge of attacks in the past week has included the hijacking of the MV Frigia, a Maltese-flagged dry bulk carrier, 1,500 miles off Somalia’s coast – the longest-range operation that pirates have ever successfully mounted.

This incident was among five successful hijackings and 19 attacks off Somalia this month, according to the International Maritime Bureau. This compares with 32 attacks and five hijackings in March last year, when the piracy epidemic was close to its height.

The recent surge has disappointed observers, who had hoped that the naval presence off Somalia – particularly in the Gulf of Aden leading to the Red Sea – would begin to deter piracy...

Mr Pickard pointed out that distinguishing pirate mother ships from innocent fishing vessels was often difficult.

[A message]

The recent surge has disappointed observers, who had hoped that the naval presence off Somalia – particularly in the Gulf of Aden leading to the Red Sea – would begin to deter piracy...

If the naval presence doesn't send these criminals to Davy Jones Locker there won't be any deterrence.

[rdl6989]

I’m sure Zero will send them a strongly worded letter.

[arthurus]

So why does not the US Navy destroy their bases? We did just that to the Moslem jihadist pirates of two centuries ago.

[Nooseman]

Lets just put a reasonable price on their heads.

[Diogenesis]

Pres_ _ent Obama protects all soldiers of allah.