Hijacking off Tanzania shows expansion of pirate activity, Navy says

Gerald · 12-11-10, 01:40 AM

(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)

TLAM Strike · 12-11-10, 01:46 AM

They are attacking ships far to the east as well, here is the latest NATO pirate warning map:

Gerald · 12-11-10, 01:59 AM

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.

Jimbuna · 12-11-10, 06:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TLAM Strike

They are attacking ships far to the east as well, here is the latest NATO pirate warning map:

Starting to look like a global enterprise

TLAM Strike · 12-11-10, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteamWake

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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diopos

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?

.

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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbuna

Starting to look like a global enterprise

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!

the_tyrant · 12-11-10, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TLAM Strike

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!

Platapus · 12-11-10, 01:25 PM

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.

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?

Jimbuna · 12-12-10, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TLAM Strike

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!

Signing up now

12-12-10, 07:39 PM

I'm waiting to see the Private Sector offer a solution.
Kind of like this..........

Privateer Interprises offers TOTAL Pirate protection Services.
For less then a ransom payment?
You get a nice fluffy feeling of Safety!

Included options are...
Highly Trained Ex-Military Personnel from every Nation.
We provide the Weapons and Logistics.
We dis-embark the Ship BEFORE you enter any port so you need not worry about the Weapons we carry.
Being that we operate in Inter-National Waters?
What happens in those Waters, stays in those Waters.
After all, how many Pirates can really complain?
They have to admit to a Crime first!

GoldenRivet · 12-11-10, 05:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vendor

Hijacking Off...

something about that thread title

Diopos · 12-11-10, 06:41 AM

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?

.

Blood_splat · 12-11-10, 08:16 AM

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

the_tyrant · 12-11-10, 09:03 AM

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

SteamWake · 12-11-10, 09:12 AM

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

12-11-10, 01:40 AM	#1
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	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) __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie

12-11-10, 01:46 AM	#2
TLAM Strike Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Rochester, New York Posts: 8,633 Downloads: 29 Uploads: 6	They are attacking ships far to the east as well, here is the latest NATO pirate warning map: __________________

12-11-10, 01:59 AM	#3
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	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. __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie

12-11-10, 01:25 PM	#7
Platapus Fleet Admiral Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 19,361 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 0	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. 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? __________________ abusus non tollit usum - A right should NOT be withheld from people on the basis that some tend to abuse that right.

12-11-10, 06:41 AM	#11
Diopos Ace of the Deep Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Athens, the original one. Posts: 1,226 Downloads: 9 Uploads: 0	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? . __________________ - Oh God! They're all over the place! CRASH DIVE!!! - Ehm... we can't honey. We're in the car right now. - What?... er right... Doesn't matter! We'll give it a try anyway!

12-12-10, 07:39 PM	#9
Madox58 Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	I'm waiting to see the Private Sector offer a solution. Kind of like this.......... Privateer Interprises offers TOTAL Pirate protection Services. For less then a ransom payment? You get a nice fluffy feeling of Safety! Included options are... Highly Trained Ex-Military Personnel from every Nation. We provide the Weapons and Logistics. We dis-embark the Ship BEFORE you enter any port so you need not worry about the Weapons we carry. Being that we operate in Inter-National Waters? What happens in those Waters, stays in those Waters. After all, how many Pirates can really complain? They have to admit to a Crime first!

12-11-10, 08:16 AM	#12
Blood_splat Samurai Navy Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Beneath the waves Posts: 568 Downloads: 20 Uploads: 0	In America we have our own pirates they're called Wall Street executives.

12-11-10, 09:03 AM	#13
the_tyrant Admiral Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Canada Posts: 2,272 Downloads: 58 Uploads: 0	since they are operating in wolf packs, shouldn't the ships be in convoys than?

12-11-10, 09:12 AM	#14
SteamWake Rear Admiral Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 13,224 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	I still dont understand how 5 men in 'small boats' even armed with an RPG can board a big ass cargo container ship. __________________ Follow the progress of Mr. Mulligan : http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=147648

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