Hijacking off Tanzania shows expansion of pirate activity, Navy says
 

(CNN) -- The hijacking of a container ship in the Indian Ocean Friday afternoon is evidence of a "constantly expanding area of pirate activity" off the Africa coast, military officials said.

At least five pirates, using two small boats and a rocket-propelled grenade, boarded the MV Panama, a Liberian-flagged vessel operated by a U.S. company, according to a statement by the European Union Naval Force Somalia.

The attack happened about 80 nautical miles east of the Tanzanian-Mozambique border, the statement said.

"This extreme southerly attack in the Somali Basin is a further example of the constantly expanding area of pirate activity," it said.

Pirate attacks have become a frequent hazard for sailors off Somalia, which has had no effective central government since 1991.

http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/af...ex.html?hpt=T2


Note: December 10, 2010 Updated 1904 GMT (0304 HKT)

They are attacking ships far to the east as well, here is the latest NATO pirate warning map:
http://img844.imageshack.us/img844/8...arningsmap.jpg

They have stretched out their hunting grounds, unfortunately, the need for a more significant presence in the area, with several marine units which is certainly large, and the severe guarded area.

something about that thread title :hmmm:

Starting to look like a global enterprise :o

That kind of "expantion" makes you wonder if they aren't using "forward bases" (of a sort). "Mother" ships, at these distances, would be far more "exposed", no? :hmmm:


.

In America we have our own pirates they're called Wall Street executives.

since they are operating in wolf packs, shouldn't the ships be in convoys than?

I still dont understand how 5 men in 'small boats' even armed with an RPG can board a big ass cargo container ship.

Because that cargo ship is armed with maybe a shotgun. Cargo ships generally don't carry arms because at their ports of call the legality of carrying them changes and the weapons will be impounded. Plus there is liability issues with giving merchant marines access to firearms, shipping firms consider it cheaper to just pay the pirates a ransom.

When they capture a large fishing boat or smallish cargo ship they will operate from it in the open ocean after killing the ship's transponder (if it has one). Keeping the crew aboard as human shields.

Such craft blend in well with the local traffic, what is another old fishing boat among the thousands in the area already. Its not like they are flying the Jolly Roger.

Funny you should mention global enterprises... for a one time franchise fee TLAM Industries will equip you with everything you need to start you own local pirate band; RPGs, PKM Machine Guns, and a twin engine fishing skiff just like the pros use! Act now quantities are limited!

:O:

:haha::haha:

Armed escorts seems to be the only solution.

I don't know if I want armed merchants any more, but a small armed escort ship might help.

But only if we use it. :yep: If pirates try to take a ship, they need to be attacked and their ship sunk.

I honestly don't see any other solution. Can any one see another solution?

RPG worth a few hundred bucks vs. a fully-laden cargo ship worth several million as the least = ransom paid.

As to why there are few armed defenders on a merchie is simple: Insurers hate that idea worse than they hate pirates. Think of it this way: An unarmed crew will resist less and are less likely to put themselves in mortal danger - the pirates are less likely to kill hostages because they know that to do so immediately ups the ante to levels they can't take it to.

On the other hand, an armed crew might get the idea to defend themselves. If the insurers allow this, then any injuries sustained by the crew in defending the insurer's property would then be paid for my the insurer. sounds fair, until you consider that someone who's left unable to care for themselves but not dead would cost the insurer a bucketload of money over the injured's lifetime.

Better to instruct the crews to not resist and await ransom than pay to tube feed poor vegetable Jones because he put up a fight.

Get the AMISOM some more support and stabilize Somalia.

From what I head they badly need choppers. :yep:

UAVs would also be a huge upgrade for them. :ping:

Their APCs have gotten SLAT armor and they are operating MRAP type vehicles now so that's good. :up:

If some more AU nations pledge troops that would also be great. But NATO needs to keep the gear for the troops already pledged flowing in, so far we have not been doing a great job.

Help them reclaim their fishing grounds. What I've heard is that the waters are badly polluted, and the fishing went to hell. No fish, no bread for the family. So the fishermen turn to piracy. But then I'd have to wonder how many would go back to fishing... it probably isn't as lucrative a business as scoring ransom from wealthy cargo haulers. :hmmm:


@TLAM - Can Sea Monkeys be used in place of human crew? I don't know anybody that's crazy enough to try dodging a CIWS. :haha:

http://afrocityblog.files.wordpress....a_monkeys1.jpg