US Flagged Vessel Captured! UPDATE: Navy SEALS take out pirates

[Enigma]

Not bad work for a liberal...

[XLjedi]

Actually... if we could just reclassify the pirates as corporate CEO's; I think he could fire them!

[Ishmael]

I posted this on the Newsvine thread:

This is what happens when you have a UNION crew.My Grandfather was a merchant seaman and sailed on the last of the square-riggers. His Sailor's Union of the Pacific Union card was signed by Andrew Ferusuth, the union's founder. My Dad was a merchant seaman all through WW2, and saw action in the Aleutians, North Africa, Sicily, Salerno, Anzio and Iwo Jima. He also did a year in San Quentin for Armed robbery. So he was shot at by representatives of all 3 Axis powers(4 if you count the Vichy French) and only ever used a weapon to commit a crime. He was a member of the Sailor's Union of The Pacific, The Seafarer's International Union and the National Maritime Union. I salute the brave men of the Maersk Alabama and honor their valor that stands in proud traditions of the United States Merchant Marine. As a former tin-can sonarman who sailed those same waters 30 years ago, I know the difficulty the Navy has patrolling these waters and salute my merchant brethren as Iron Men in Iron Ships. Splice the Main Brace for me.

Here's the Yahoo link.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090409/ap_on_re_af/piracy

Huzzah and Hully Gee!

[Tchocky]

Originally Posted by GoldenRivet

and pretty much true. Republicans wage war...

Yes, SIR!

Permission to think, sir?

[antikristuseke]

sailed on the last of the square-riggers.

Do not try to read this sientnece when you have just woken up with a slight hangover, Took me a while to realize that it was riggers not ni...

My brain needs a kickstart.

[Tchocky]

I've been at work for an hour already and this hangover isn't going away.

[August]

Originally Posted by Tchocky

Yes, SIR!

Permission to think, sir?

As long as you start thinking about your own country for a change. God knows Ireland could use the attention.

Besides if you know your American history you'd know that when it comes to starting wars the Democrats have the Republicans beat by a wide margin.

[SteamWake]

Somehow the crew regained control of the ships yet the 'pirates' continue to hold the capitan hostage.

The US has sent a Destroyer to the area.

What a destroyer is going to do other than intimidate, its not like they are going to sink the merchant.

[Jimbuna]

After failing to grasp the positives around the convoying system at the outset of both world wars.....surely now is the time to give it some serious thought.

We are not talking about U-boats or FAC hare....but medium size motor/speed boats at best.

Surely two frigate sized ships, each with a helicopter would suffice as an escort.

[SteamWake]

Originally Posted by jimbuna

After failing to grasp the positives around the convoying system at the outset of both world wars.....surely now is the time to give it some serious thought.

We are not talking about U-boats or FAC hare....but medium size motor/speed boats at best.

Surely two frigate sized ships, each with a helicopter would suffice as an escort.

This all sounds well and good, however the costs would find themselves displaced into the goods being delivered at some point.

Dont know if its true or not but this ships cargo was listed as emergency food relief for Zambia.

Some more updates:

The captain is still being held hostage on a smaller boat which is now evidently out of gas.

The crew had a member of the 'pirates' held but gave him up in an attempt to free the captain which evidently failed.

Allegedly the captain gave himself up in order to 'free' the crew.

[Max2147]

Originally Posted by SteamWake

This all sounds well and good, however the costs would find themselves displaced into the goods being delivered at some point.

If the convoy system worked, then shipping insurance prices would go back to normal, which would offset the costs of the protection.

[UnderseaLcpl]

Originally Posted by Max2147

If the convoy system worked, then shipping insurance prices would go back to normal, which would offset the costs of the protection.

Not really. Modern trade is dependent on "just-in-time" delivery of goods. Convoys are not cost-effective in such a system. They are rigid and slow and require a vast amount of effort to organize.

Last time everyone was talking about this I thought arming merchants was a good idea. Somebody talked me down from it, because of diplomatic considerations and the like.

I think the best solution would be on-demand private marine security firms. They could set up shop at ports that have shipping companies with routes through dangerous waters, and disembark at the next point the firms consider suitable where they wait for a contracting ship to make a return voyage.

[Kapitan_Phillips]

Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk

vulcan cannons

*puts on helmet*

[nikimcbee]

I can't believe nobody has caught who the Kapitan is...

Four gang members were holding the captain, Richard Phillips, on the ship's lifeboat after he apparently volunteered to be a hostage for the sake of his crew.

KP are you okay? Just tap 1 for yes and 2 for no. Do you need us to rescue you? Just tap one for yes.

I'll put my Han Solo suit on, GR, you get the wookie suit, and Jim, it's okay to put the princess suit back on. We'll be there in 20 minutes

[Takeda Shingen]

Originally Posted by UnderseaLcpl

I think the best solution would be on-demand private marine security firms. They could set up shop at ports that have shipping companies with routes through dangerous waters, and disembark at the next point the firms consider suitable where they wait for a contracting ship to make a return voyage.

I agree. Of course, it might be more cost effective just to go ahead and arm the merchants after all, or at least do so when traveling certain parts of the world.