[Principled]

I don't think the Russians will treat the pirates too nicely.

[RightWhale]

Somalia's waters are considered to be among the most dangerous in the world - piracy is relatively common

Has always been a free-for-all, all the way from Ethiopia to India.

[BrotherJonathan]

Send in the SEALs.

Take that ship away from the pirates.

It is doable.

And it will put a lot of bigger pirates on notice.

[P8riot]

This happened two weeks ago, and we're just hearing about it now. Can't be worrying too many people.

[FreePaul]

This one we leave to the British and the Russians. We have already been to Somalia. Seems that they didn't want us there.

[livius]

Islamics made their living by piracy for many a long century in the Mediterranean and other waters near Muslim countries. Remember the "shores of Tripoli"?

[Lokibob]

From the piracy web site:

http://www.iccwbo.org/ccs/imb_piracy/weekly_piracy_report.asp

 

Weekly Piracy Report
30 July - 5 August

The following is a summary of the daily reports broadcast to all shipping by the IMB's Piracy Reporting Centre on the SafetyNET service of Inmarsat-C from 30 July - 5 August 2002.

For statistical purposes, the IMB defines piracy and armed robbery as; "An act of boarding or attempting to board any ship with the apparent intent to commit theft or any other crime and with the apparent intent or capability to use force in the furtherance of that act". This definition thus covers actual or attempted attacks whether the ship is berthed, at anchor or at sea. Petty thefts are excluded, unless the thieves are armed.

Recently reported incidents

Suspicious craft

04.08.2002 at 2015 LT in position 02:55S - 106:59E, Selat Gelasa, Indonesia. Two fast-unlit crafts approached a bulk carrier underway from portside. One craft increased speed and tried to come closer, while the other maintained its distance off port beam. Alert crew switched on deck lights, and sounded ship's whistle, crafts moved away. Ten minutes later, another fast-unlit craft followed ship's stern. Crew directed searchlight and craft moved away.

31.07.2002 at 0100 LT at one fathom bank, straits of Malacca. A fast moving craft with bright light approached a bulk carrier. Duty officer alerted crew and flashed searchlights and craft moved away. Again at 0445 LT two unlit fast moving crafts chased the same bulk carrier from stern. Chief officer flashed searchlights and took evasive action. Crafts moved away.

Actual and attempted attacks

	31.07.2002 at 0230 LT in position 06:02.7S - 106:53.3E Tanjung Priok anchorage, Jakarta, Indonesia. Pirates in four boats attempted to board a bulk carrier at stern by throwing a line attached to a hook. Alert duty a/b raised alarm, crew mustered and pirates abandoned boarding and fled.
	31.07.2002 at 00.01 LT at Batangas anchorage, Philippines. Two pirates boarded a tanker from poop deck. Alert duty watchman raised alarm and crew mustered on deck. Pirates escaped in a small boat with ship's stores.
	30.07.2002 at 0735 UTC at position 11:53N - 51:04E, Somalia. Several armed pirates boarded a general cargo ship underway. They hijacked her and forced to anchor at the above position.
	29.07.2002, tied to mooring buoy, Mongla, Bangladesh. Pirates in a small boat came alongside a general cargo ship and stole zinc anodes welded to stern.

Piracy prone areas and warnings

Warning for Somalia. Another hijacking took place on 30.07.2002. Ships anchoring near or passing close to the Somali coast should note they will, repeat, will be seized by one of the warring factions from shore.

S E Asia and the Indian Sub Continent

Bangladesh - Chittagong and Mongla at berth and anchorage. Ships have
reported theft of zinc anodes welded to ship's sides and
stern

India - Chennai, Cochin, Haldia, Kandla and Tuticorin anchorages

Indonesia - Belawan, Balikpapan, Lawi Lawi, Merak, Panjang, Samarinda
and Tanjong Priok (Jakarta), ships have reported numerous
attacks whilst at berth and anchor. Other areas include
Bangka, Berhala and Gelasa Straits

Malacca straits - avoid anchoring along the Indonesian coast of the straits.
Coast near Aceh is particularly risky for hijackings

Malaysia - Bintulu, Penang and Sandakan

Philippines - Davao

Thailand - Koh Si Chang

Vietnam - Vung Tau

Africa and Red Sea

Africa and Red Sea

Abidjan, Bonny River, Conakry, Dakar, Dar Es Salaam, Douala, Lagos, Luanda, Owendo and Tema

Gulf of Aden - between four to six fast boats have attempted to board ships around coordinates Lat 14:34N - Long 051:22.5E

Somalian waters - high-risk area for hijackings. Keep at least 50 miles and if possible 100 miles from the Somali coast. Use of radio communications including VHF in these waters should be kept to a minimum

South and Central America and the Caribbean waters

Brazil - Fazendinha, Guiba Islands, Santana, Santos, Sepetiba, Rio De Janeiro and Rio Grende Port.
Colombia - Buenaventura and Cartagena
Dominican Republic - Rio Haina
Ecuador - Guayaquil
Peru - Callao
Venezuela - Guanta, Lake Maracaibo and Puerto La Cruz.

In view of the recent spate in hijackings, ship owners are advised to install a satellite tracking system on board. IMB recommends installation of Shiploc, which has proved to be invaluable in the location and recovery of hijacked vessels. Details can be found at www.shiploc.com.

 

[Mo1]

Reuters news agency said the Somali hijackers were demanding $1m for the release of the Russian crew.

I'm thinking the Russians ain't gonna be to happy with this news

[Grampa Dave]

This is a Russian problem. They have spec ops guys who can handle this.

One can only hope that Iran/Iraq and Syria have sponsored this hijacking of a ship.

Time for Putin to clear out some dirty tie ins with the Islamakazi nations. The Islamakazis have been killing Russians and interferring with their economy for a long time.

Putin and his fellow Russians need realize that the Islamakazi nations are not friends. Hopefully, this will serve as a wake up call to sever relations with all Islamakazi controlled Nations.

[putupon]

Transporting oil from ANWR would be safer.

[Koblenz]

Anyone ever read The Devil's Alternative by Frederick Forsyth? It involved a tanker being hijacked, and is one of the best books I've ever read.

[VaBthang4]

SAS or SBS to the rescue.

....If Blair has the minerals.

[ZULU]

Pirates should be hanged and their bodies tarred and left to rot - just like in the old days, at the point where the high tide line lays.

[rockfish59]

Sounds like Algore the Pirate!
I hope they send in some snipers for the pure joy of scattering some gray matter!

[doug from upland]

A tanker would be a helluva terrorist bomb.

[piasa]

More piracy schtuff.