Posted on 04/08/2009 6:28:05 PM PDT by tsmith130
The U.S. is closing in on pirates that hijacked a U.S.-flagged ship off the coast of Somalia. According to a spokesman for the owner of the Maersk Alabama, which had been hijacked by pirates before American crew members were able to regain control of the vessel Wednesday, a U.S. Navy warship arrived at the scene Wednesday night.
The ship's captain still is being held hostage on a smaller boat.
Family members said Capt. Richard Phillips surrendered himself to the pirates to secure the safety of the crew. "What I understand is that he offered himself as the hostage," said Gina Coggio, 29, half sister of Phillips' wife. "That is what he would do. It's just who he is and his response as a captain."
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called Wednesday for world action to "end the scourge of piracy" as U.S. warships raced to confront the pirates.
"We are deeply concerned and we are following it very closely," Clinton said. "Specifically, we are now focused on this particular act of piracy and the seizure of a ship that carries 21 American citizens.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
I've heard that. I don't know how successful that business has been. One would think there's a pretty good market for it.
Did the military guest enlighten the infobabe to the fact that these pirates live large, are local heroes and have vast wealth? That they are pretending to be warlords, but not delivering any payoff to their own people, who are poor, but who are not, themselves, pirates?
you are 100% right!
Hillary’s here; pirates have no fear.
By the time she and Gates get thru with out defense establishment, the Somali pirates will have bigger boats that the US Navy.
Stinking cowards!
A supersonic pass by Navy jets is not something soon forgotten. It leaves an impression that lasts a lifetime. :-)
That’d be Admiral David Farragut, if I’m not mistaken.
How about worldwide action to end the scourge of Obama and Hillary?
The guy Shep was interviewing was a big wusss!!
I used to think that a .50 cal was cool but my son used an M-249 in Iraq and says its better (250 clip box, no link belt). Of course the Army is phasing the 249 out for something else, and Gates is cutting out the A-10 Warthogs, both acts of sheer stupidity.
But hey, the Messiah is in charge and all is well in the world, his world, wherever that is.
Now the appeasement can begin!
Obama is such a p***y
You are entirely correct, company policy, the law of the vessel's flag and the law of the port are what control here.
It is not unusual for merchant vessels to carry small arms, at least the captain will have a pistol if only to control unruly crew members.
I sailed on vessels under government charter, and we carried one each Mossberg shotgun, 9mm pistol and AR-15 for every crew memeber.
We were required to take a small arms proficiency course before signing on.
The arms chest was well secured with a key only for the Master and Chief Officer.
In port the arms chest could be sealed with a customs seal, just like the slop chest which contained un-customed alcohol and cigarrettes. Frgds, 3/M
He was great and if I remember correctly said that how Barry handled this crisis would determine his presidency. Meanwhile, Barry was busy trying to change the weather today and tomorrow will be pushing illegal immigration on us.
The ships' insurance carriers generally dont allow guns onboard for liability reasons.
We’re talking DDG 96.
Thanks for the validation. :-)
Seems to me that a few skilled crewmen with good long-range rifles could end this problem. :-)
At least Congress should give legal immunity to sailors and ships that defend themselves from pirate attack.
"War is an ugly thing but not the ugliest of things"
Did you forget you posted this on your own page? One of the ugly things about war is that innocents die. Always have, always will. Crocodile tears for them will not bring them back.
And yes, there is a war on. Or did you forget that already too?
Sounds like a plan. :-)
Make it so.
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