Somali pirates and mother ship.
I hope the Navy makes it clear that if approached by any of these ships they will sink it. The pirates will load these boats with explosives and try to sink the USA vessels.
Somalia was defeated by al Qaeda. It is where bin Laden first found out that chaotic violence was effective againt even USA helicopters and crews. Osama found out what the Romans knew for a long time, and that is if the mob decided to turn against their emperor there was dearly little a Roman legion could do to stop them.
That type of 'suicide mob strength' has been the back bone of revolutionaries for a long time. If 'an ideal' could fill a populous with fervor a government could be overthrown.
These pirates are a direct result of a government destabilized by al Qaeda. I can't believe the people of Somalia actually longed for this and if they did the international community is not appreciative. I would like to see all ships from all ports have a policy of 'protectionism' rather than 'vicitimization.' In other words, allow armed soldiers from recognized militaries board the ship as an escort to their destination and deprive these people of their country's income in this manner.
The Somalias might have to actually work at an economy rather than steal it from others.
The real danger that prevents the USA Navy from acting, is the other ships already hijacked and in port in Somalia. They have hostages no different than the Captain Phillips. If the USA becomes aggressive the concern is the hostages in port on hijacked ships will become victims rather than just hostages.
I don't believe that will happen, because the pirates want the money and if the international shipping community 'gets smart' and puts armed escort on their ships as they travel through the waters, the currently held ships and their crew will be the pirates only remaining income.
US ships block help for pirates holding US captain (click title to entry - thank you)
By MICHELLE FAUL and TOM MALITI – 3 hours ago
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — U.S. warships are trying to stop Somali pirates from sending reinforcements to a lifeboat where an American captain is being held hostage as the high-seas standoff off Africa's eastern coast entered a fourth day Saturday.
Underscoring the high stakes involved, France's navy on Friday freed a sailboat seized off Somalia last week by other pirates, but one of the hostages was killed, along with two bandits. Three pirates were captured.
A Nairobi-based diplomat, who spoke on condition on anonymity because he is not authorized to talk to reporters, said the pirates have summoned assistance but at least two American ships and an Orion surveillance aircraft are deterring pirate ships and skiffs from contact with the lifeboat.
The pirates have threatened to kill their American hostage, Capt. Richard Phillips, if the U.S. attacks them, according to a Somali who has been in contact with the pirates.
The vice president of the Philippines, the nation with the largest number of sailors held captive by Somali pirates, appealed Saturday for the safety of hostages to be ensured in the standoff.
"We hope that before launching any tactical action against the pirates, the welfare of every hostage is guaranteed and ensured," said Vice President Noli de Castro. "Moreover, any military action is best done in consultation with the United Nations to gain the support and cooperation of other countries."
U.S. rules of engagement prevent the Americans using their vastly superior fighting power to engage the pirates if there is any danger to civilians....
By MICHELLE FAUL and TOM MALITI – 3 hours ago
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — U.S. warships are trying to stop Somali pirates from sending reinforcements to a lifeboat where an American captain is being held hostage as the high-seas standoff off Africa's eastern coast entered a fourth day Saturday.
Underscoring the high stakes involved, France's navy on Friday freed a sailboat seized off Somalia last week by other pirates, but one of the hostages was killed, along with two bandits. Three pirates were captured.
A Nairobi-based diplomat, who spoke on condition on anonymity because he is not authorized to talk to reporters, said the pirates have summoned assistance but at least two American ships and an Orion surveillance aircraft are deterring pirate ships and skiffs from contact with the lifeboat.
The pirates have threatened to kill their American hostage, Capt. Richard Phillips, if the U.S. attacks them, according to a Somali who has been in contact with the pirates.
The vice president of the Philippines, the nation with the largest number of sailors held captive by Somali pirates, appealed Saturday for the safety of hostages to be ensured in the standoff.
"We hope that before launching any tactical action against the pirates, the welfare of every hostage is guaranteed and ensured," said Vice President Noli de Castro. "Moreover, any military action is best done in consultation with the United Nations to gain the support and cooperation of other countries."
U.S. rules of engagement prevent the Americans using their vastly superior fighting power to engage the pirates if there is any danger to civilians....
If escorts are the best strategy against boarding by pirates, they will have to be armed with more than assault rifles, they will have to carry shoulder mounted missiles to stop the boats, even the mother ships before they begin to board. It cannot be an attempt at intimidation by a simple presence of armed guards.
The escorts will have to be prepared to stop the attack.
That means the Somali Pirates could die in the process.
The assault crew would have to be prepared to stem the attack early enough to prevent any damage to ship, crew or cargo; otherwise; the shipping lines would go back to paying ransom. A well organized 'Escort Crew' would require a boarding crew as well as armed boat escort to keep the mother ships and speed boats away from the cargo ship. I don't see any other method that is viable. Negotiating with the Somali government is meaningless.
Hiring 'Escort Crews' would cost far, far less than paying ransom and insure the well being of the container crews returning home to their familes.
International laws would have to accommodate the need for these crews in International AND International Port Waters as a means of Peaceful Transport. Any Maritime Laws could allow such mechanisms to be employed at any time there are rebels that would harm safe transport of goods and crew.
These cargo ships are benevolent ships, they aren't militarized ships, this is an assault against humanity and its benevolent purpose. It should be highly illegal in an aggressive methodology that provides prevention as well as defense.
