Hilarious Piracy (voluntary Coast Guard)

[we vs us]

Well, not to put too fine a point on it but they only decided to take the shot(s) when the pirates themselves cut off communication and it was determined that the captain was in imminent danger.

Let it be known henceforth that wevus is NOT against the occasional sniper headshot once in awhile, especially if the shot is clear and all other avenues have been exhausted, based on the information immediately at hand.

Shorter:  do everything you can to minimize violence, and when you can't anymore, aim for the head.  

[custosnox]

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – The killing of three Somali pirates in the dramatic U.S. Navy rescue of a cargo ship captain has sparked concern for other hostages and fears that the stakes have been raised for future hijackings in the busy Indian Ocean shipping lane.

Sunday's rescue of Capt. Richard Phillips followed a shootout at sea on Friday by French navy commandos, who stormed a pirate-held sailboat, killed two pirates and freed four French hostages. The French owner of the vessel was also killed in the assault.

The two operations may have been a setback for the pirates, but they are unlikely to quell the brigands, who have vowed to avenge the deaths of their comrades.

Experts indicated that piracy in the Indian Ocean off Somalia, which transformed one of the world's busiest shipping lanes into one of its most dangerous, has entered a new phase with the Navy SEAL rescue operation of Phillips.

It "could escalate violence in this part of the world, no question about it," said Vice Adm. Bill Gortney, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command.

The International Maritime Bureau said Monday it supported the action by the U.S. and French navies, but cautioned it may spark retaliatory moves by pirates.

"We applaud the U.S. and the French action. We feel that they are making the right move, although the results sometimes may be detrimental," said Noel Choong of the IMB's piracy center in Kuala Lumpur.

He did not elaborate, but for families of the 228 foreign nationals aboard 13 ships still held by pirates, the fear is revenge on their loved ones.

"Those released are lucky, but what about those who remain captive?" said Vilma de Guzman, the wife of Filipino seafarer Ruel de Guzman. He has been held by pirates since Nov. 10 along with the 22 other Filipino crew of the chemical tanker MT Stolt Strength.

The U.S. rescue operation "might be dangerous (for) the remaining hostages because the pirates might vent their anger on them," she said.

So far, Somali pirates have never harmed captive foreign crews except for a Taiwanese crew member who was killed under unclear circumstances. In fact, many former hostages say they were treated well and given sumptuous food.

The pirates had operated with near-impunity in the Gulf of Aden north of Somalia, and more recently in waters south of the country after a multinational naval force began patrolling the Gulf.

Choong said there have been 74 attacks this year with 15 hijackings as compared to 111 attacks for all of last year.

The modus operandi of the pirates is simple: Board unarmed or lightly armed merchant ships, fire shots in the air or at the hull to intimidate the crew, divert the ships to hide-outs on the Somali coast and wait for the owners to pay millions of dollars in ransom.

But the game changed last week when the pirates boarded the U.S.-flagged Maersk Alabama. In an act of courage, Phillips offered himself as hostage in return for the safety of his crew.

The pirates transferred the 53-year-old Phillips, a Vermont native, to a lifeboat. But the pirates had not counted on the U.S. military's resolve. After a five-day standoff during which a small U.S. flotilla tailed the lifeboat, Navy SEAL snipers on a destroyer shot and killed three pirates and plucked an unharmed Phillips to safety. A fourth pirate surrendered.

The comrades of the slain pirates immediately threatened retaliation.

"From now on, if we capture foreign ships and their respective countries try to attack us, we will kill them," said Jamac Habeb, a 30-year-old self-proclaimed pirate, told The Associated Press by telephone from the pirate hub, Eyl.

Abdullahi Lami, one of the pirates holding a Greek ship in the pirate den of Gaan, a central Somali town, told the AP that pirates will not take the U.S. action lying down.

"We will retaliate for the killings of our men," he said.

Giles Noakes, chief maritime security officer of the largest international shipping association, the Denmark-based BIMCO, says it is premature to say Philips' rescue will lead to an escalation of violence.

"The question here is whether there will be a change of attitude in the pirates and in their modus operandi. We hope the change will be that they will be even more deterred because of the successful action by both the Maersk Alabama crew and the navies," he said.

Many of the governments whose ships have been captured — including Taiwan's Win Far 161 with a multinational crew of 30 — are in talks with the pirates and would not comment on the consequences of the American rescue for fear of jeopardizing the negotiations.

"We are monitoring the situation closely, but the ship owner wants to keep a low profile to help with their negotiation with the abductors," Taiwanese Foreign Ministry spokesman Henry Chen said.

He said the crew, comprising 17 Filipinos, six Indonesians, five Chinese and two Taiwanese, were safe as of Monday.

Some families also wonder if Phillips' rescue drew so much of attention because of his nationality.

"It's difficult when the ship's crew are all Filipinos because we are ignored," said de Guzman. "Maybe if there are Japanese, Koreans or British among the crew, the case would get more attention."

___

Associated Press writer Teresa Cerojano and writers around the world contributed to this report.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/P/PIRACY?SITE=NYWNE&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

It does make yoiu worry about the escalation, however, if they start killing hostages, then they are signing their own death warrants. 

What bothers me is the part where it says many governments are in negotiations with the pirates.  These are the ones that are enabling the pirates, and IMO if us attacking the pirates causes their negotiations to break down, then so much the better.

[Hoss]

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/P/PIRACY?SITE=NYWNE&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

It does make yoiu worry about the escalation, however, if they start killing hostages, then they are signing their own death warrants. 

What bothers me is the part where it says many governments are in negotiations with the pirates.  These are the ones that are enabling the pirates, and IMO if us attacking the pirates causes their negotiations to break down, then so much the better.

So the question is this:  should we have conceded and pay the ransom?  I'm glad they did what they did.  It sends a pretty clear message to the terrorists (and these pirates are equivalent to that) that we will not negotiate and won't tolerate these kinds of acts.

But, we also have to be careful, especially in this country (Somalia).  We do remember that the movie 'Blackhawk Down' was based on the Blackhawk shot down in Mogadishu.  These extreme Somalis, for all their barbarism, know how to co-ordinate.  That's a dangerous combination, especially in a country with no real government.

[rwarn17588]

Methinks that this whole episode shows the value of being patient.

Wait it out until the pirates are good and fatigued, then pounce on 'em when they're least able to retaliate.

Plus I read in one report that the part of the delay in a rescue operation was getting the Navy SEALs in the area.

[custosnox]

So the question is this:  should we have conceded and pay the ransom?  I'm glad they did what they did.  It sends a pretty clear message to the terrorists (and these pirates are equivalent to that) that we will not negotiate and won't tolerate these kinds of acts.

But, we also have to be careful, especially in this country (Somalia).  We do remember that the movie 'Blackhawk Down' was based on the Blackhawk shot down in Mogadishu.  These extreme Somalis, for all their barbarism, know how to co-ordinate.  That's a dangerous combination, especially in a country with no real government.

We should never give in to terrorists.  By gifing them their ransoms, negotiating, and letting them operate freely, then they will continue to take.  It is time we take a stand against them.  With the 'Blackhawk Down' senerio, I personally think we should have used a lot more firepower.  And that might be how we have to deal with them, with overwelming numbers and superior firepower.

I was hoping that the delay with the seals was to trap the other ships that were supposed to be coming to the aid of the pirates in the lifeboat.  I don't see how it could have taken them 5 days to get the seals into place.

[guido911]

Obama fighting the rise of PRIVACY in the Indian Ocean:

http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2009/04/obama_fighting_rise_of_privacy.html

Before you spooners go nuts, I am just poking him a bit. It was probably a TOTUS malfunction. Still, I give him credit for approving of the action to take out that jackasses.

[RecycleMichael]

I think the whole operation was a cover for military involvement in the region. It took five days to get our intelligence network set up.

[guido911]

I think the whole operation was a cover for military involvement in the region. It took five days to get our intelligence network set up.

Here ya go RM:



I think whatever you are currently using is malfunctioning a bit.

[RecycleMichael]

I like it. I know mine has been on the fritz for a long time.

[custosnox]

Just rewrap your old one with two layers of amuminum foil and you'll be good as new.  For extra security, you can take some copper wires and fashion a faraday cage on the inside of it.  Just remember, back and forth, under and over...

[Hoss]

It looks like Obama approved of the resue.

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D97H4LVO0&show_article=1

As much as I cannot stand this guy, I must give him his due. Good job.

Unless you're replying to your Freeper buddies, then no due is attributed, right?  Gotta keep up appearances, I suppose.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2228317/posts#comment

Why is that not surprising.

To: Chet 99

NO, the Navy SEALs who pulled off three kill shots deserve the credit.

2 posted on Monday, April 13, 2009 16:43:26 by guido911 (Islamic terrorists are members of the "ROP", the "religion of pu*&ies")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

[we vs us]

The Chinese navy seems to have perfected its anti-piracy strategy:  a horde of dolphins.



BEIJING, April 14 (Xinhuanet) -- Thousands of dolphins blocked the suspected Somali pirate ships when they were trying to attack Chinese merchant ships passing the Gulf of Aden, the China Radio International reported on Monday.

    The Chinese merchant ships escorted by a China's fleet sailed on the Gulf of Aden when they met some suspected pirate ships. Thousands of dolphins suddenly leaped out of water between pirates and merchants when the pirate ships headed for the China's.

    The suspected pirates ships stopped and then turned away. The pirates could only lament their littleness befor the vast number of dolphins. The spectacular scene continued for a while.

[Hoss]

Unless you're replying to your Freeper buddies, then no due is attributed, right?  Gotta keep up appearances, I suppose.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2228317/posts#comment

Why is that not surprising.

I think the Gweedster must be really angry at me; he continues to ding my Karma every waking hour.  Harhar.  But I'm sure he won't acknowledge it, because he has me on ignore.

Or does he....hmm....

[nathanm]

I think the Gweedster must be really angry at me; he continues to ding my Karma every waking hour.  Harhar.  But I'm sure he won't acknowledge it, because he has me on ignore.

Or does he....hmm....

Someone's been whacking at mine but good.

[Hoss]

Someone's been whacking at mine but good.

+1 for being a target as well.