note to UN : Stop the pirates!!

[fishsmith]

How on is this going to go on?

Say a prayer for the Crew of Maersk Alabama, the latest victim of Somalia's pirates.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/mas...acked_us_ship/

[fishbones]

I just read an update that says that the crew has contacted their company and are back in control with one pirate captured. Hopefully the article is accurate and all crew on board is safe and unharmed.

Unfortunately, with such a big ocean and limited navy resources, the pirates are able to continue doing what they're doing.

[JohnnyD]

How is the UN suppose to organize a locked down patrol and safety net of over 1 million square miles of ocean?

[fishsmith]

JohnnyD, I don't know.
I'm no fan of the UN, they claim to be peacekeepers I'd like to see some.
There needs to be a global effort to combat this common occurance.

[JohnnyD]

Originally Posted by fishsmith

JohnnyD, I don't know.
I'm no fan of the UN, they claim to be peacekeepers I'd like to see some.
There needs to be a global effort to combat this common occurance.

I'm think the UN is generally a useless assembly. However, there are global measures being put into place. The problem exists with the vast size of the area needed to be recovered. Ships are so small as it is very difficult to pick them p by radar unless the pirates are extremely close.

[JohnR]

It is a problem of law. What law, who's law, and where. Solve that riddle Batman and then you can apply a response.

Now, the fact that the Sammies whacked an US FLAG ship, I hope to see them wind up in US court system (though that would probably be a lifestyle improvement).

Reports are though that they have the Captain hostage. Rumors are that some of the crew (officers?) are from Mass / Mass Maritime.

For the crew that took back the ship, where do you want your beer delivered?

Hey Beamie - you out there? Look to hear your thunking on this. If you're not in town, least hope you were hangin' around the IDL instead of the Horn.

[fishbones]

John R, there was at least one graduate of Mass Maritime on board. The kids father is a professor at MM who teaches a class that covers piracy.

[JohnnyD]

John, you bring up a good point.

A major problem is that in their native lands, the pirates are seen as heros - robinhood types. They have support from the villagers and the government turns a blind eye.

[RIJIMMY]

what law? we have satellites that can see my house, we cant find the home ports and send some Apaches to sink their boats? monitor the waters and sink anything that moves near a ship? I know it sounds simple but come on. I have now have my entire cd collection on a thing the size of a calculator. We can do it.

60 years ago we were able to destroy the enitire german u-boat effort, with as much technology thats in my refridgerator.

[JohnR]

RIJ - and when the pirates look and act like local fishernen or the local fishermen act like priates (gee the legitimate fishermen have AK's on board their vessels) who's village you going to blow away with an Apache?

Oh, now you have a MEU 40 miles off Somalia to support your Apache (well, Cobra actually). Now you've blown away a village by diverting upwards of 20 BILLION in equipment and 3000 sailors and marines to thwack some pirates in a couple boats.

Hammer, meet Nail.

Or, (sadly) get the Interneational Community to agree on a set of rules that everyone can act on .

But, this being the first time US sailors on a US Flagged vessel were boarded, maybe this is time to reinstitute one of the primary historical missions of the US Navy. Anti-Piracy.

RUMINT on GCaptain and EagleSpeak

[likwid]

Originally Posted by JohnR

It is a problem of law. What law, who's law, and where. Solve that riddle Batman and then you can apply a response.

Here's the law:

IT DOESN'T EXIST

[JohnR]

Originally Posted by likwid

Here's the law:

IT DOESN'T EXIST

You're making my point

[spence]

Originally Posted by JohnR

RIJ - and when the pirates look and act like local fishernen or the local fishermen act like priates (gee the legitimate fishermen have AK's on board their vessels) who's village you going to blow away with an Apache?

I think a lot of the problem is that the pirates often simply are fisherman looking for a more profitable line of work.

-spence

[Nebe]

all those tankers have to do is lay a minefield of thumb tacks on the decks.

Maybe Halliburton can sell the gubmint tacks at $5 a piece..

Im serious by the way.. Those pirate dudes are always barefoot.

[JohnR]

Originally Posted by spence

I think a lot of the problem is that the pirates often simply are fisherman looking for a more profitable line of work.

-spence

I would say it is the Warlords and psuedo tribal guvmints raising more money in Piracy than the "national" (chuckle) GDP. A failed nation and economy where the only law is the tribe and the warlord. Sometimes hard to fathom that something as broken as Somalia can have more broken internal parts. Damn shame.

(of course I just reread your post again, and yeh, probalby were once fishermen. In the same note, some of us would be Run Runners 90 years or so ago . Still think send in the SEALS and "arrest" them.)

[justplugit]

Originally Posted by JohnR

Still think send in the SEALS and "arrest" them.)

Yup, just let them do their job.

UN is useless.

[likwid]

Since January, pirates have staged 66 attacks, and they are still holding 14 ships and 260 crew members as hostages, according to the International Maritime Bureau, a watchdog group based in Kuala Lumpur.

But who cares, it only matters when there's Americans on board.

[RIJIMMY]

Originally Posted by spence

I think a lot of the problem is that the pirates often simply are fisherman looking for a more profitable line of work.

-spence

you truly are the most lefty wack job I have ever met.

[MakoMike]

John is right, the problem is the law, the international (read U.N.) law, that says you have to to be absolutely positive that they are pirates before you can take any action. Now the only way you ca do that is wait until they board and take over a ship, and then its too late. Now with this American ship its different, they have the guys AFTER they tried to take over the ship. Now if they can just get the captain back they can arrest these guys who just might resist that arrest (aw, too bad!)

[Mr. Sandman]

I think it is time to take some pro-active action. If there is no law...it is a free for all and we are justified in protecting our assets.

I am not a high seas lawyer but it is time that those on board have weapons and are trained on how to keep people off the ship when in the open ocean. It would help if the UN established some laws...like, something as simple as staying 1000' away from ships while in international waters. If you approach closer...expect a warning shot, alarms and lights to go off and on-land officials are notified...if you continue on course the ships has the right to take whatever action it deems necessary to protect it self from boarding.

If they take someone hostage...send in the seals. Flush these scumbags. BTW, where the hell is Obama on this matter?

Would you sail the open sea's without weapons?

[RIJIMMY]

[QUOTE=Mr. Sandman;680463] BTW, where the hell is Obama on this matter?

QUOTE]


the captain of the ship is employed and makes 150K so Obama is not intersted in helping him.

[The Dad Fisherman]

I was just reading an article on this and there certain problems that are hard to deal with in dealing with these pirates.

1st, they are in small boats that deploy from a larger ship that supplies refueling.....think Independence Day.

These Boats, being smaller and a lot faster than the cargo ships, are on them before they even know it. Then if they do get spotted on radar they look just like the 100's of other small fishing boats that are in the area.

2nd, the reason a lot of the Cargo Ships aren't armed is due to the cargo they carry....these guys hit the oil tankers a lot to capture...can't really get into a gun fight while standing on a Gazillion Gallons of explosives.

these guys don't want what you're carrying....they want the ship for ransom. they get a ton of money from other countries to release the ships......

Their biggest mistake here was taking a hostage...they should have just got back in there boat and screwed.

[The Dad Fisherman]

Originally Posted by Mr. Sandman

BTW, where the hell is Obama on this matter?

Maybe he's waiting for the Air Craft Carriers and the Press to arrive so He can land on the Flight Deck in his neatly pressed flight suit.

what the hell can he do??? We've sent a Friggin Destroyer and the FBI there.....pretty sure that is a good response to a few guys in a rowboat.

[likwid]

Originally Posted by The Dad Fisherman

2nd, the reason a lot of the Cargo Ships aren't armed is due to the cargo they carry....these guys hit the oil tankers a lot to capture...can't really get into a gun fight while standing on a Gazillion Gallons of explosives.

Lets all repeat after me:

I-N-S-U-R-A-N-C-E

Thats why.

Originally Posted by The Dad Fisherman

Maybe he's waiting for the Air Craft Carriers and the Press to arrive so He can land on the Flight Deck in his neatly pressed flight suit.

Bush isn't in office anymore.

[RIJIMMY]

He can make a statement. He's shown the world how courteous he can be. Now show them how much he values one American life.

[fishsmith]

Originally Posted by likwid

Bush isn't in office anymore.

That's why they did it.

[Slipknot]

[QUOTE=RIJIMMY;680484]

Originally Posted by Mr. Sandman

BTW, where the hell is Obama on this matter?

QUOTE]


the captain of the ship is employed and makes 150K so Obama is not intersted in helping him.

LMFAO

[Slipknot]

I hope it's over fast and we get our guy back safe.

Mr. Sandman, nope, I wouldn't sail the seas unarmed, not a chance.

[Bronko]

the captain of the ship is employed and makes 150K so Obama is not intersted in helping him.[/QUOTE]



Brilliant.

[Swimmer]

Its called Law of the Admiralty. I had an uncle, who while on sabatical from the air force as a pilot, got his law degree in admiralty law. I would guess that has somethig to do with pirates. On the other hand, four well-placed 20 mm cannons would do the trick.