Pirates anchor hijacked supertanker off Somalia coast

[Juan_Bottom]

I'm gonna have to ask you a question here DaGip, why would governments be concerned when even the captians of these ships aren't? They were to close to shore, in an area where pirates cruise the shore. And they had no security guards, which is what the US government advised them to get. I'd wager that it's just cheaper and safer to keep paying the pirates off then to go and fight them. The British did it for hundreds of years.
If we start fighting the pirates they may start killing hostages when they take ships, rather than hiring caterers on shore to cook spaghetti, grilled fish and roasted meat that will appeal to Western palates. Plus, this is all actually quite benificial to the Somolian people.
I've learned to view this piracy in a more apathetic way.

[Thezzaruz]

And they had no security guards, which is what the US government advised them to get. I'd wager that it's just cheaper and safer to keep paying the pirates off then to go and fight them.

That's the part I don't get. A few guys with some assult rifles, a few barrets and RPGs and possibly a crate of grenades should be able to deal with 5-10 guys in a speed boat tbf. Someone give the NRA a call, I bet they could muster up some volounteers.

[Juan_Bottom]

And they had no security guards, which is what the US government advised them to get. I'd wager that it's just cheaper and safer to keep paying the pirates off then to go and fight them.

That's the part I don't get. A few guys with some assult rifles, a few barrets and RPGs and possibly a crate of grenades should be able to deal with 5-10 guys in a speed boat tbf. Someone give the NRA a call, I bet they could muster up some volounteers.

Absolutly, I doubt these Pirates have any tactics and weapons training anyway... But Sailors aren't soldiers. And I doubt that they want to be drawn out into any fight. I'd bet that the crew of these ships would rather have thier parent companies pay ransom rather than hire a security force to start a war at sea. It's strangly safer for them. Don't provoke the pirates and everyone gets away safely.

[Juan_Bottom]

Somali pirates pocket at least $1.67 million
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27820573/

Earlier this week, pirates released the Stolt Valor, a Japanese chemical tanker after paying hijackers $2.5 million.

An associate of the gang holding that ship, the MV Faina, said they rejected a $2.5 million ransom offer this week.

"The pirates and a broker met in the forest between Galkayo and Haradheere ... but the pirates stood by their demand for $8 million," the associate, Hussein Hassan, told Reuters.

That's it, I'm becoming a pirate.

[DaGip]

Somali pirates pocket at least $1.67 million
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27820573/

Earlier this week, pirates released the Stolt Valor, a Japanese chemical tanker after paying hijackers $2.5 million.

An associate of the gang holding that ship, the MV Faina, said they rejected a $2.5 million ransom offer this week.

"The pirates and a broker met in the forest between Galkayo and Haradheere ... but the pirates stood by their demand for $8 million," the associate, Hussein Hassan, told Reuters.

That's it, I'm becoming a pirate.

[GabonX]

Do you not understand?

There is no conspiracy theory!!!

It is simply the Poor robbing the Rich, I suggest If you cannot comprehend this, then get out more.

CF, if the United States was concerned about piracy, those pirates wouldn't have a chance trying to steal oil. Not only that, but if Saudi Arabia was concerned about piracy, those pirates would have never gotten close to the tanker...it just doesn't add up. I can't tell you specifically why the Arabs and the United States wanted that oil stolen, but it is quite clear that if they were concerned about piracy (and piracy has been going on for hundreds of years, so it ain't like it's a big surprise) they would have had the proper weapons and protection to combat such a threat.

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/techi ... last_x.htm

Definately..

..Aliens probably helped too...

[Juan_Bottom]

Well don't ridicule the guy; It's not like he's without a point. We could stop them if we wanted. But one of those sources says American law states that our Navy can't do anything unless they catch pirates in the act, or else the Navy has to back off....
But he's right, we are letting it happen, I just think we have a decent reason for it.

[Matroshka]

Looks like the UN plans to take action

http://www.nowpublic.com/world/un-plans-blitz-somali-pirates

[pimpdave]

All I can really say about this is, I think the Second Amendment more than applies to this situation. International waters or not.

We should also start arming the crews of these cargo ships to the teeth, and set up some kind of direct line of communication to the UN or US warships in the area. It looks like the pirates even have helicopters, from that video. So, send some Apaches up to pluck those fuckers out of the sky, and send some F-14 to blow the f*ck out of the speed boats.

Meanwhile, have every crew member with an M-16 slung over his shoulder while passing through those waters, and maybe they can pick off some of those pricks before they can get along side the cargo ship. It couldn't hurt to get a couple 20mm cannons on deck, or maybe a .50 cal machine gun. Just rake the water back and forth on those speed boats, that'd have to destroy that shit.

Man, I would love to f*ck up some pirates.

[Grooveman2007]

Looks like the UN plans to take action

http://www.nowpublic.com/world/un-plans ... li-pirates

Yeah, 'cause we all know that the UN actually does things.

[Juan_Bottom]

All I can really say about this is, I think the Second Amendment more than applies to this situation. International waters or not.

We should also start arming the crews of these cargo ships to the teeth, and set up some kind of direct line of communication to the UN or US warships in the area. It looks like the pirates even have helicopters, from that video. So, send some Apaches up to pluck those fuckers out of the sky, and send some F-14 to blow the f*ck out of the speed boats.

Meanwhile, have every crew member with an M-16 slung over his shoulder while passing through those waters, and maybe they can pick off some of those pricks before they can get along side the cargo ship. It couldn't hurt to get a couple 20mm cannons on deck, or maybe a .50 cal machine gun. Just rake the water back and forth on those speed boats, that'd have to destroy that shit.

Man, I would love to f*ck up some pirates.

I say leave them be. Send a few warships to harass the pirates, and to keep them from getting too bold, but leave them alone. They are the only money generators for Somolia. In fact, someone should show them how to invest it in their countries infrastructure better.

[PLAYER57832]

All I can really say about this is, I think the Second Amendment more than applies to this situation. International waters or not.

Unless I am mistaken, this is the US constitution ... I never realized we were voted to be in charge of the world?

We should also start arming the crews of these cargo ships to the teeth, and set up some kind of direct line of communication to the UN or US warships in the area. It looks like the pirates even have helicopters, from that video. So, send some Apaches up to pluck those fuckers out of the sky, and send some F-14 to blow the f*ck out of the speed boats.

Meanwhile, have every crew member with an M-16 slung over his shoulder while passing through those waters, and maybe they can pick off some of those pricks before they can get along side the cargo ship. It couldn't hurt to get a couple 20mm cannons on deck, or maybe a .50 cal machine gun. Just rake the water back and forth on those speed boats, that'd have to destroy that shit..

I think these are called "mercenaries" ????

Companies seem to think that it is more profitable to pay the fines, etc than to hire the mercs.

[brooksieb]

True, have individual countries bribe them to stop doing this shit, i can understand why they do this because they want to send the money back to Somalia but if they break the agreement they should be attacked head on, it's a fair deal. Anarchism is actually getting somewhere, i'm impressed.

[Matroshka]

Now a radical Islamist group is getting in on the action

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081121/ap_on_bi_ge/piracy

[spurgistan]

Well, it seems like the most sensible thing would be to empower a sovereign Somalian regime based on human rights so that Somalians would have viable economic alternatives to piracy, but also a strong government could prevent this happening right off their coastline as well as protecting their fisheries against foreign fishing fleets (an undersung part of this story). But yeah, roving teams of mercenaries, not a big fan of that in general.

[pimpdave]

Everyone here seems all too happy to rush to the defense of the Somalian pirates, but what about the poor crew members scared out of their minds?

Being kept in captivity, they can't work. That directly effects their income. What about their families?

Screw the pirates. There are other avenues.

If I were one of those crew members, I wouldn't be able to see it the way you folks all are. I'd be ready to kill.

[PLAYER57832]

Everyone here seems all too happy to rush to the defense of the Somalian pirates, but what about the poor crew members scared out of their minds?

Being kept in captivity, they can't work. That directly effects their income. What about their families?

Screw the pirates. There are other avenues.

If I were one of those crew members, I wouldn't be able to see it the way you folks all are. I'd be ready to kill.

Oh, I basically agree, though in most cases the crew members are going to go along becuase its the best way to survive.

I spoke of the companies. But, I suspect that they may have trouble hiring qualified crew before long.

Well, it seems like the most sensible thing would be to empower a sovereign Somalian regime based on human rights so that Somalians would have viable economic alternatives to piracy, but also a strong government could prevent this happening right off their coastline as well as protecting their fisheries against foreign fishing fleets (an undersung part of this story). But yeah, roving teams of mercenaries, not a big fan of that in general.

The Somali government is happy to explain that they are most certainly in favor of human rights. .. and that the trouble is all of us outsiders who won't stay out of their internal business. (haven't I heard that somewhere before???)

[Inhuman14]

Apparently, the Indian Navy totally toasted some pirate "mothership" last night. While I'm not a big fan of the military's role in most things, this is kinda legit.

I would have paid big bucks to watch that.

[Juan_Bottom]

Everyone here seems all too happy to rush to the defense of the Somalian pirates, but what about the poor crew members scared out of their minds?

Being kept in captivity, they can't work. That directly effects their income. What about their families?

I doubt that they stay scared out of their minds. I don't believe a Somoli pirate has yet to ever kill a crew member. Otherwise these news agencies would be quick to point it out. Instead, they are literaly buying catering for the crews. these pirates aren't out to kill anyone, they just want the money.
If these pirates were trying to hurt people, then you can be damn sure the captains of vessels traviling through the area would stay far from shore and have guards.
Really it just seems these crews are being inconvienanced.

If I were one of those crew members, I wouldn't be able to see it the way you folks all are. I'd be ready to kill.

That's when people do get killed. When people without guns stand up to people with guns. At least the pirates seem peacable enough. They just want the money. And the article would have us believe that they blow all of it in their coastal communities.

The Somali government is happy to explain that they are most certainly in favor of human rights. .. and that the trouble is all of us outsiders who won't stay out of their internal business. (haven't I heard that somewhere before???)

Umm.... All other African nations?

[PLAYER57832]

The Somali government is happy to explain that they are most certainly in favor of human rights. .. and that the trouble is all of us outsiders who won't stay out of their internal business. (haven't I heard that somewhere before???)

Umm.... All other African nations?

Try ANY nation doing something to which any other nation objects, including the US, Europe, China, India, Pakistan, Columbia, Venuzuela, Russia, ... etc.