U.S. Navy fleet surrounds hijacked ship

Russia Today ^ | September 29, 2008

[valkyry1]

Several U.S. battleships are currently surrounding the Ukrainian ship which was hijacked by Somali pirates last week. Their purpose is to prevent the unloading of the 33 tanks and other military equipment that is currently onboard.

 The captain of a hijacked Ukrainian ship being held off the coast of Somalia has died. Conflicting reports suggest he died of heart attack or hypertension.

The pirates have initially demanded a ransom of $US35 million, reportedly lowering their demands to $US5 million. 

 

 

 

[valkyry1]

They will get their wish rather soon.

[gaijin]

They’re pirates, and they follow the pirate code:

1. Promise to permit the last survivor of an on-board internecine gun battle to live, and state that he will be paid $1,000,000

2. Wait for the shooting to stop.

3. Kill the last guy, pay nothing

4. Re-claim ship and booty for OpFor ops at Fort Irwin

To pirates a pirate arrangement, I say....

[SeeSharp]

Any skipper of anything larger than a mike boat who didn't run on them with guns blazing would be hooted out of his commission.

Navies and pirates are natural enemies. It must be every skipper's dream to have someone he can go after without a care in the world for diplomatic implications.

[SeeSharp]

At least he didn't say "Schooners" or "Clippers"...It's a start.

Or "delta winged fighters".

[badpacifist]

Bremerton?

[A.A. Cunningham]

080929-N-1082Z-071 HOYBYO, Somalia (Sept. 29, 2008) Pirates holding MV Faina receives supplies while under observation by the guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG 72). The Belize-flagged cargo ship is owned and operated by "Kaalybe Shipping Ukraine" and is carrying a cargo of Ukrainian T-72 tanks and related equipment. The ship was attacked on Sept. 28 and forced to proceed to an anchorage off the Somali Coast. Vella Gulf is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet conduct maritime security operations to promote stability and regional economic prosperity. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jason Zalasky/Released)

080928-N-9999X-004 INDIAN OCEAN (Sept. 28, 2008) Somali pirates in small boats were able to hijack the MV Faina, a Belize-flagged cargo ship owned and operated by "Kaalbye Shipping Ukraine." The ship is carrying a cargo of Ukrainian T-72 tanks and related equipment. It had no on board security when it was attacked on Sept. 28 and was forced to proceed to an anchorage off the Somali Coast. (U.S. Navy photo/Released)

080928-N-9999X-003 INDIAN OCEAN (Sept. 28, 2008) MV Faina as observed by the crew of the guided-missile destroyer USS Howard (DDG 83). The Belize-flagged cargo ship is owned and operated by "Kaalybe Shipping Ukraine" and is carrying a cargo of Ukrainian T-72 tanks and related equipment. The ship was attacked on Sept. 28 and forced to proceed to an anchorage off the Somali Coast. Howard is deployed with the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations to promote stability and regional economic prosperity. U.S. Navy photo (Released)

080928-N-9999X-002 INDIAN OCEAN (Sept. 28, 2008) Somali pirates in small boats were able to hijack the MV Faina, a Belize-flagged cargo ship owned and operated by 'Kaalbye Shipping Ukraine." The ship is carrying a cargo of Ukrainian T-72 tanks and related equipment. It had no on board security when it was attacked on Sept. 28 and was forced to proceed to an anchorage off the Somali Coast. U.S. Navy photo (Released)

080906-N-1082Z-047 ATLANTIC OCEAN (Sept. 6, 2008) The guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG 72) transits the Atlantic Ocean. Vella Gulf is deployed as part of the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group supporting maritime security operations in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jason R. Zalasky/Released)

USS Howard DDG-83

USS Howard Monitoring MV Faina
Story Number: NNS080928-11
Release Date: 9/28/2008 8:42:00 PM

From Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/5th Fleet Public Affairs

MANAMA, Bahrain (NNS) -- The U.S. 5th Fleet continues to actively monitor the situation with Motor Vessel Faina, the Belize-flagged cargo ship, which was captured Sept. 25.

San Diego-based destroyer USS Howard (DDG 83) is on station and is in visual range of MV Faina, which is anchored off the Somalia coast near the harbor city of Hobyo.

"Howard is on-station," said Cmdr. Curtis Goodnight, Howard commanding officer. "My crew is actively monitoring the situation, keeping constant watch on the vessel and the waters in the immediate vicinity."

Two other pirated vessels, MV Capt Stefanos and MV Centauri, are also anchored at this location.

This incident highlights the complexity of the situation in the region. MV Faina is owned and operated by "Kaalybe Shipping Ukraine" and is carrying a cargo of T-72 tanks and related equipment. Its crew is comprised of citizens from Ukraine, Russia and Latvia. There is no indication that the ship had a security team aboard.

Howard is part of the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group, which is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to conduct Maritime Security Operations (MSO).

MSO help develop security in the maritime environment. From security arises stability that results in global economic prosperity. MSO complements the counterterrorism and security efforts of regional nations and seek to disrupt violent extremists' use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other material.

For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/cusnc/.

[SlapHappyPappy]

I assume the claim we have used several “battleships” is a translation issue.

I am wondering if we are containing the ship or making sure we get to take it out instead of the Russians.

[SlapHappyPappy]

Not a Russian ship, but they will take any chance to exert control over the arms trade in the region. Plus, they will feel like they have shown up the Ukrainians if they take care of this mess.

[AFreeBird]

The pirates ahave vowed to fight till their death? I say we grant them their wish.

Um, and the remaining crew? Just collateral damage?

[valkyry1]

I think there is at least one Destroyer onsite, that would be plenty I think dont you?

[VRWC For Truth]

Fire 1, Thunk! Can you hear me now? Good. Next one go kaboom. Give up.

[Beaten Valve]

No Free, I say we just wait for the Russians to arrive.

Maybe they’ll decide to let the pirates off with a warning and send them to Sibera for a bit of attitude adjustment...

[SlapHappyPappy]

If it’s not we’re screwed.

BTW, we should have told the ship’s owners/cargo’s owners they had 48 hours to resolve this or we would, and sunk that damn ship by now.

[Slings and Arrows]

The Somali coast is well-known as a pirate haven. Why wouldn’t any ship traveling in that area keep an armed 24-hour watch, and shoot or ram anything that got too close and ignored warnings to bugger off?

[NavyCanDo]

It looks like we've got us a war, A gut-busting, mother loving Navy War.

OK, OK, I'm exaggerating a little, but dang I have been waiting too many years to say that line.

[AmericaUnited]

These pirates can bluster all they want but they ARE NOT suicidal types. They are greedy, pure and simple. Greedy thieves want to live to spend their loot.

[Cvengr]

She seems to be riding a little high in the water to be displacing that much mass. Hmmm. Maybe she is just carrying some implements of heavy artillery.

[Cvengr]

Not so fast. She looks like she would be a fine addition to a prepositioned force. Looks like she could hold a BLT’s worth of gear with at least a company reinforced contingent.

[Jimmy Valentine]

"The Big Mo, and The Iowa? Stupid writers!"

Yes...but think how cool it would be if the Iowa showed over the horizon. That would make some people's guts churn!

[Jeff Head]

The one that is up on the link now associated wioth this article is a US Navy San Antonio Class LPD. Relatively new class with good self defense capabilities, but not suited for attacking other combat ships.

However, in this case, it would have plenty of Marines and helos and small craft though and more than capable, if necessary of putting a force on this hijacked vessel to recover it.

The real shark in the water that we have there will be the Arliegh Burke destroyers.