Hijacking off Tanzania shows expansion of pirate activity, Navy says

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?

Growler · 12-11-10, 01:32 PM

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.

TLAM Strike · 12-11-10, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Platapus

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

Get the AMISOM some more support and stabilize Somalia.

From what I head they badly need choppers.

UAVs would also be a huge upgrade for them.

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

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.

krashkart · 12-11-10, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Platapus

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?

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.

@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.

TLAM Strike · 12-11-10, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krashkart

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.

Partialy. When Somalia collapsed so did their navy.

Pictured: the Somali Navy about the time of the "Black Hawk Down Incident".

Following that their neighbors decided it would be great to go and fish in Somali waters. That's what started the pirates. They were out to stop others from fishing int their waters. They then turned to crime, the danger of being a vigilante I guess.

Quote:

@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.

krashkart I suddenly have a vision of you trying to build a civilization using sea monkeys like Cartman on South Park...

krashkart · 12-11-10, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TLAM Strike

Partialy. When Somalia collapsed so did their navy.

Pictured: the Somali Navy about the time of the "Black Hawk Down Incident".

Following that their neighbors decided it would be great to go and fish in Somali waters. That's what started the pirates. They were out to stop others from fishing int their waters. They then turned to crime, the danger of being a vigilante I guess.

Now I see why they call you Jack Ryan.

Quote:

krashkart I suddenly have a vision of you trying to build a civilization using sea monkeys like Cartman on South Park...

I must have missed that episode.

Fear not my friend, I'm too busy watching Army beat Navy.

TLAM Strike · 12-11-10, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krashkart

I must have missed that episode.

Fear not my friend, I'm too busy watching Army beat Navy.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simpsons_Already_Did_It

12-11-10, 01:25 PM	#1
Platapus Fleet Admiral Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 19,373 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, 01:32 PM	#2
Growler A long way from the sea Join Date: May 2005 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,913 Downloads: 21 Uploads: 0	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. __________________ At Fiddler’s Green, where seamen true When here they’ve done their duty The bowl of grog shall still renew And pledge to love and beauty.