The Threat of Modern Piracy- A Merged Thread

[armyvern]

Reproduced under the fairdealings provisions of the copyright act ...

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/10/13/lindhout-kidnappers.html

Somali kidnappers are threatening to kill Canadian journalist Amanda Lindhout and an Australian photographer if a $2.5-million ransom is not paid in 15 days.

Tehran-based Press TV reported Monday that one of the kidnappers issued the warning to the station's correspondent in Mogadishu.

Australian photographer Nigel Brennan and Lindhout, a freelance television and print reporter from Sylvan Lake in central Alberta, were kidnapped on Aug. 23 near Mogadishu.

Lindhout, 27, filed stories from Iraq on behalf of Press TV, Iran's 24-hour English-language news channel.

Last month, Arab television network Al-Jazeera aired footage of the kidnapped reporters surrounded by armed militants.

The group claiming to be behind the video accused Canada and Australia of "taking part in the destruction of Somalia."

 

[aesop081]

Reproduced under the fairdealings provisions of the copyright act ...

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/10/13/lindhout-kidnappers.html

Canada has no interest in all this indeed........



Besides, its not like we are a maritime nation with a vital interest in the continued and uninterupted flow of goods throughout the world.

 

[OldSolduer]

Since when do we NOT do what is RIGHT? There is a problem here and it needs dealing with.

 

[Ex-Dragoon]

We are doing whats right...but we also have to respect International Law and work with the ROEs given to the CO of the VDQ.

 

[aesop081]

Since when do we NOT do what is RIGHT? There is a problem here and it needs dealing with.

Sorry, i was sure my sarcasm was easily detectable.

 

[Slim]

Sorry, i was sure my sarcasm was easily detectable.

To most it was masterfully written.

To others, well... ???

 

[Blackadder1916]

Somali forces free Panama ship from pirates

By Abdiqani Hassan  Reuters  Tue 14 Oct 2008, 12:23 GMT

BOSASSO, Somalia (Reuters) - Somali security forces freed a Panamanian ship from pirates on Tuesday, officials said, two days after they killed one of the hijackers in a gun battle.

The Wail was seized by heavily armed Somali gunmen on Thursday as it carried cement to Bosasso from Oman. There are thought to be nine Syrian and two Somali crew members onboard.

"We have succeeded in saving the Panama-flagged ship and its crew," Ali Abdi Aware, state minister for the semi-autonomous northern Puntland region, told Reuters. "The pirates have surrendered and the ship is in our hands now."

Puntland's fisheries minister, Ahmed Said Ow Nur, said 10 hijackers were arrested and two soldiers wounded in the raid.

"The ship is now sailing towards Bosasso," he told Reuters.

Another senior Puntland government official said the Wail had been slightly damaged during an earlier shoot-out on Sunday in which one pirate and one Somali soldier were killed.

Puntland security forces also seized two of the speedboats used by the gang during that operation, and had been surrounding the Panamanian-flagged vessel since then.

Somali pirates have hijacked more than 30 ships so far this year and received ransoms totalling $18-30 million, making the waters off the Horn of Africa nation the world's most dangerous.

In the highest profile case for years, ransom talks are continuing after they seized a Ukrainian vessel, the MV Faina, which was loaded with 33 T-72 tanks and other weaponry.

Last week, the 26-nation NATO military alliance agreed to join anti-piracy operations by sending seven frigates this month to combat the hijackers and escort humanitarian aid ships.

This year's explosion of piracy has been mirrored by a wave of kidnappings onshore. In the latest incident, Osman Mohamed Hussein, a Kenyan working for the African Union peacekeeping force in Somalia, was abducted at gunpoint in the capital on Tuesday.

"He called me saying he is being held in Mogadishu. Then his phone was switched off," his wife, Asli Aden, told Reuters.

Somalia has been mired in civil conflict since 1991.

 

[geo]

heh... will be interesting to see how they deal with the captured hijackers..........
op:

 

[Blackadder1916]

One ship is freed by Somali authorities and pirates take one.


Pirates hijack ship off Somali coast
International Maritime Bureau issues urgent warning after ship with 21 crew members is seized

Staff and agencies guardian.co.uk, Wednesday October 15 2008 11.29 BST

Armed pirates have hijacked another ship in the Gulf of Aden near Somalia today, bringing to 11 the number of vessels being held by pirates.

The International Maritime Bureau said the bulk carrier with 21 crew members had been sailing from the Middle East to Asia when it was seized.

The ship flies a Panamanian flag but is operated in the Philippines. No further details of the attack were immediately available.

The bureau has issued an urgent warning to ships to take extra measures to deter pirates.

A total of 29 ships have been hijacked in African waters this year, with more than 200 crew members on the 11 that remain in pirate hands.

The attack comes despite increased international cooperation to crack down on pirates in the Gulf of Aden.

 

[OldSolduer]

Mayb its just me. Maybe I'm simple, but the solution is not more warships in the area.
The solution in my mind is to take the gloves off and get your hands dirty. Set out to kill these "pirates" and send a strong message: Mess with OUR ships and YOU DIE.

 

[Blackadder1916]

Standing NATO Maritime Group transits Suez Canal en-route to anti-piracy duties
http://www.nato.int/shape/news/2008/10/081015a.html

15 October 2008

Mons, Belgium — Seven ships from six NATO navies transit the Suez Canal today, on their way to conduct both anti-piracy duties and visit NATO partner nations in the Gulf region.

In response to a UN request, NATO defence ministers last week authorised NATO naval vessels to help protect World Food Programme ships carrying desperately needed supplies to conflict-ridden Somalia.

Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG2) already was scheduled to conduct a series of Gulf port visits and will take on the anti-piracy role off the coast of Somalia

Given the very short-notice, details of how the group will conduct the anti-piracy mission and also carry out port visits are still being finalised

SNMG2 is scheduled to visit partners of the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

General John Craddock, Supreme Allied Commander Europe, said, “The threat of piracy is real and growing in many parts of the world today, and this response is a good illustration of NATO's ability to adapt quickly to new security challenges."

SNMG2 currently comprises ships from Germany, Greece, Italy, Turkey, United Kingdom and United States. Command of SNMG2 is assumed on rotation by contributing nations and currently is Rear Admiral Giovanni Gumiero, Italian Navy. SNMG2 currently comprises:

ITS Durand de la Penne (flagship, destroyer D560, Italy)
FGS Karlsruhe (frigate F212, Germany)
FGS Rhön  (auxiliary A1443, Germany)
HS Themistokles (frigate F465, Greece)
TCG Gokova (frigate G496, Turkey)
HMS Cumberland (frigate F85, United Kingdom)
USS The Sullivans (destroyer DDG 68, USA)

As NATO's anti-piracy effort is formalised, the Alliance will continue to coordinate its assistance with the World Food Program, the European Union and the US Led Operation enduring Freedom who are all involved in this humanitarian and security effort.

Ville de Québec was assigned to SNMG1 before being detached to escort World Food Programme ships, so it will probably still leave Somali waters and rejoin SNMG1 later in the month.

 

[geo]

Mayb its just me. Maybe I'm simple, but the solution is not more warships in the area.
The solution in my mind is to take the gloves off and get your hands dirty. Set out to kill these "pirates" and send a strong message: Mess with OUR ships and YOU DIE.

Cheez there old solduer..... talk like that will never get you elected (not that you were trying)

 

[OldSolduer]

geo, I like my simple approach. I think the pirates would understand it. I think the Russians would like it.

Mess with one of OUR ships, and YOU die!

When I say one of our ships, I mean the civilized world.

Maybe this approach could get me elected....... :blotto:

 

[GAP]

Maybe this approach could get me elected....... :blotto:

Nah, some treehugger would complain to the Human Rights Commission that you are hurting their conscience.......

 

[chanman]

Nah, some treehugger would complain to the Human Rights Commission that you are hurting their conscience.......

With those gas-sucking cigarette boats?  How about you promise to use the bodies to fertilize a new tree plantation?  A carbon-neutral plan for pirate eradication!

 

[Blackadder1916]

NATO Shipping Centre: SOMALIA PIRACY UPDATE 15 OCT 2008
(as at 151427Z OCT 2008)
http://www.shipping.nato.int/SOMALIAPIR

The use of mother-ships seems to be on the rise, and potentially, vessels are hijacked with the sole intention of using them as such.

During the past week there have been 7 new incidents including 2 hijacks.
9 Vessels are now being held by Somali pirates for ransom. Last known positions are as shown on the slide.

Thailand-flagged Bulk Carrier MV FONARUN NAREE was involved in an approach by pirates on 7 Sept.

Singapore-flagged LPG Carrier MV SIGLOO DISCOVERY reports that she received multiple attacks from pirates on 6 Sept, though her position at the time of the attack was not reported.

Bahamas-flagged Crude oil tanker MV FRONT VOYAGER reports she was attacked by pirates on 6 Sept.

St Vincent and Grenadines-flagged General Cargo vessel MV JIN YUAN MEN was attacked by pirates on 5 Sept. Panamanian-flagged General cargo vessel AL MASOURAH was hijacked in northern GoA 3 Sept, 17 miles south of Yemeni coast. She was last located  IVO Caluula.. There are 25 crew members on board, and 10-12 hijackers.

Private yacht, Carre D’AS IV was hijacked by pirates, 2 Sept. Vessel departed Cocos Islands, 5 Aug, on route Aden with 3 crew, (2 French national and 1 Australian national) on board.

On 29 Aug, Chemical/Products tanker, MV BUNGA MELATI 5 was hijacked in northern Gulf of Aden while on route from, Yanbo Saudi Arabia to Singapore.

In short, the trends in latest piracy incidents are as follows:

Targeting larger cargo / oil / gas / chemical tankers
Approaches / attacks conducted from 2-3 small speedboats with 3-5 armed persons each. The number of boats involved in each incident seems to be increasing.
Ninety-three piracy-related incidents have been reported so far this year in the Gulf of Aden (GOA) and off the east coast of Somalia 
Compares to three incidents over same period last year

 

[OldSolduer]

IF the Somali "pirates" are hijacking larger ships to use as mother ships, and this is proven, we have two options as I  see it:

1. The ship is boarded by maritime commandoes such as the SBS and the perpetrators are brought to justice. If they resist they are shot;

2. The ship is blown out of the water by a Harpoon or similar missile, provided that there are on innocents aboard and this ship is proven to be a mother ship.

I'm sure Jack will want to negotiate, arggghhh matey!!

 

[NL_engineer]

2. The ship is blown out of the water by a Harpoon or similar missile, provided that there are on innocents aboard and this ship is proven to be a mother ship.

Let a sub do that, that way Mr. Pirate doesn't know what hit him  ;D and it gives him something to look at wile on his way to 'Davey Jones Locker'  ;D

 

[Ex-Dragoon]

I think the idea is to get these ships back to their rightful owners....

 

[Blackadder1916]

I think the idea is to get these ships back to their rightful owners....

While there is recent discussion about the Royal Navy seeking additional clarification or legislation concerning the legalities of taking pirates in Somali territorial waters, perhaps this provision of the Piracy Act 1850 (which seems to be still in force*) may be an incentive for the officers and crews at least to go pirate hunting with the aim of restoring vessels to their rightful owners.

5. Property of her Majesty’s subjects found in possession of pirates to be restored on payment of one eighth of value.

All ships,vessels, boats, goods, merchandize, specie, or other property taken possession of from pirates by any of her Majesty’s ships or vessels of war, or hired armed vessels, . . . F4 or their boats, or any of the officers and crews thereof, shall and may be proceeded against in any of the Admiralty courts before mentioned, and be subject and liable to condemnation as droits and perquisites of her Majesty in her Office of Admiralty: Provided always, that if any part of the said property shall be duly proved to have belonged to and to have been taken from any of her Majesty’s subjects, or from the subjects of any foreign power, then such property and every part thereof shall, by the decree of the said court, be adjudged to be restored, and shall be accordingly restored, to the former owner or owners, proprietor or proprietors thereof respectively, he or they paying for or in lieu of salvage a sum of money equal to one eighth part of the true value, which money . . . F4 shall be paid to and divided and distributed amongst the officers and crews thereof, in such manner, form, and proportion as other bounties are now distributable by virtue of her Majesty’s proclamation or order in council dated the thirtieth day of July one thousand eight hundred and forty-nine, or as her Majesty, shall from time to time by any further proclamation or order or orders in council think fit to declare and direct; . . . F4

*(the un-consolidated nature of British legislation makes a seach for all references to piracy difficult and time consuming)