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By now you are aware that Somali Pirates boarded a U.S. flagged cargo ship (ironically taking relief supplies to ... AFRICA) and five days later, had a 75% attrition rate. The only surviving pirate was the one who decided a visit to the USS Bainbridge in person.
There were 111 pirate hijackings in 2008, 66 of them so far in 2009. It's estimated that pirates amassed $80 million in ransom payments last year - certainly lucrative business for a country in political turmoil.
Unfortunately, the only real solution to piracy problem is achieving peace and stable central government in Somalia - something that has eluded the Horn of Africa nation since 1991, when warlords toppled a military dictator.
There have been 15 attempts to restore central government in Somalia since then, the latest being the administration of President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed, formed in a U.N.-brokered peace process earlier this year, but that government is quickly falling prey to Islamist militants.
What do we do? Does the US get involved, or do we leave it in the hands of the everuseless capable U.N.? Do we arm the cargo ship crews? Or do we give U.S. flagged vessels traveling in that area military protection?
It's a little more difficult to ignore the problem when the reality of it hits so close to home, isn't it?
- Never - ever - hijack an American flagged ship. Americans are a hearty and resourceful bunch. Just when you think you've been successful in taking over the ship, you'll discover a handful of crew members who don't play by the rules and take their ship back.
- Although the FBI and the US Navy may call it negotiating, it's really just an opportunity to wear you down while they contemplate just when it is they'll kill you.
- SEAL snipers do not miss. It doesn't matter if they are firing from a ship bobbing in the ocean, or if they need to shoot three people simultaneously. THEY.DO.NOT.MISS.
By now you are aware that Somali Pirates boarded a U.S. flagged cargo ship (ironically taking relief supplies to ... AFRICA) and five days later, had a 75% attrition rate. The only surviving pirate was the one who decided a visit to the USS Bainbridge in person.There were 111 pirate hijackings in 2008, 66 of them so far in 2009. It's estimated that pirates amassed $80 million in ransom payments last year - certainly lucrative business for a country in political turmoil.
Unfortunately, the only real solution to piracy problem is achieving peace and stable central government in Somalia - something that has eluded the Horn of Africa nation since 1991, when warlords toppled a military dictator.
There have been 15 attempts to restore central government in Somalia since then, the latest being the administration of President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed, formed in a U.N.-brokered peace process earlier this year, but that government is quickly falling prey to Islamist militants.
What do we do? Does the US get involved, or do we leave it in the hands of the ever
It's a little more difficult to ignore the problem when the reality of it hits so close to home, isn't it?
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26 comments:
Dana, I'll be honest, and maybe some people will get mad at me. While I completely sympathize with the situation, I'm so glad they killed most of the pirates and rescued the captian because I was so tired of hearing about this on the news.
Yes, I know! That's horrible, but come on. It DOMINATED the news, and there are far worse things going on, like wild fires, tornados, etc.
What I'm wondering is how the hell they got out that damn far in the ocean on freaking john boats?!?
They will start sending armed guards on freighters, you can almost guarantee that.
Bina, I was glad they did too, not because I was tired of hearing it on the news (I actually think we need to be MORE aware of what is happening outside our little bubble), but because it reinforced that the U.S. does NOT negotiate with terrorists.
M, they are actually towed out by a larger fishing vessel sized boat that hangs out in a "safe" zone when the small boats go out to the cargo ships. It's quite an efficient process.
Gotta love the SEALS! Personally, I'm glad they killed the fuckers- maybe next time the wannabe pirates will think twice. And if not, hopefully they'll get a premature appointment to meet their maker as well!
We can't arm merchant marine ships. They are not government owned and operated and Uncle Sam, aside from enforcing Coast Guard regs and looking out for US citizens, can't do much. Remember, this ship had a US crew and was flagged US, but was not US owned.
Great, now I have to worry about my cousin the Merchant Marine first mate, who regularly sails to and from Africa :-(
I say stop sending aid to Africa, we have people in the US that need help...and much of that aid is stolen by the government and criminal gangs.
The idiots who pay ransom are robbing peter to pay paul..they are just assuring that the piracy expands and continues.
Yes arm the crews. and stop sailing there all together.
I say that the world community should prevent the sale of citrus fruit to Somalia. Any pirates coming out of that "nation" will get scurvy and die. Cheers!!
Maybe this is a minor point but these hijackers are technically not terrorists. They are not acting on an ideology, nor are they doing this to terrorize a population. They are bandits, robbers, hijackers, thieves, pirates but not technically terrorists. Just a minor correction.
I find the whole modern day pirate thing amazing. It is almost like the plot of a summer blockbuster. And I agree with you that Navy Seal are flawless. Amazing ending to the story.
Hubman, arming the ships is really out of the question not only due to maritime laws, but because of complications with cargo. I think it's unfortunate that most shipping companies are now building in ransom costs when figuring costs of shipping in that part of the world.
Hammer, but we can't stop sending aid to Africa - that would be MEAN! And it's clear that just like on the playground, many American's are overly concerned with the rest of the world "liking" us.
Matt-Man, scurvy! Now why didn't I think of that?!
Stormy, we'll have to agree to disagree on this - technically, they ARE terrorists. There is no requirement for ideology to be a terrorist. Most commonly, a terrorist is defined as "anyone who uses terror as a weapon in a political struggle, frequently in an attempt to coerce a more powerful opponent, such as a government."
I'd say the Somali pirates fit every bit of that definition. They are using terror to obtain monies from governments to fund their continued political strife.
Karen, it is bizarre, but they are able to use high tech gadgets along with extremely low-tech practices to make this a lucrative "career"
I was watching the news Sunday and said to Hubby, that's right fuck with the USA and see what happens!
too bad we cant arm the cargo ships - that would be my suggestion - personally I am tired of the tornados in tennessee - what kind of comment is that?
I say that the shipping companies should hire ninjas and put them on the ships to deal with the pirates.
Seriously though, it's not easy. Most ships do get military escorts, but this one wasn't going to Somalia. Nor was it in Somali waters. It was actually in the Indian Ocean which means the pirates might be trying to extend their range.
As for Somalia pretty much nobody in the US or the West has the stomach for expending the resources and time necessary to "fix" it. Some people think it would be nice if other African nations came together and solved this, but that might mean Islamic nations solving their own problems. Something that a lot of people in the West don't really want to see happen either.
I think we will see more cargo lines take the longer route.
I also believe the US Navy will be deploying more equipment to that area.
One of these freight companies ought to ramp up a PROTECTION SHIP subsidiary which has "bodyguard-for-hire" type of ships. They could be armed as they would not be going into foreign ports. They could accompany the cargo lines thru the areas of piracy.
HOWEVER....this is just the very beginning of the fight of the havenots. There is a vast population in many areas of Africa where disease and tribal warfare have left the national population an average age of children. With today's technology it is easy to see what others have. And it is a small jump to figuring out how to take it. I am by no means condoning the action. I'm just saying this is only the beginning....
KATHERINE makes an excellent point. the shipping companies have to evaluate the cost of this route they use (shorter and less expensive) against the cost of dealing with pirates and decide whether the longer route is not more economical.
Other than that, the crews of these ships have gotten more creative, using fire hoses to thwart the boarding of their ships...
Arming the crews will only cause even more troubles.
Arm the crews or put armed guards on the ships. The armed guards should be provided by the ship owners. The US, of course should look after our citizens. As should other countries look after their citizens too. Bad people understand dead. That's a fact!
They were stupid pirates. I say we take care of our own, and let the UN take care of the rest. Nobody seems to like us unless they need something.
If you ask me the Navy should have blown the big boat out of the water as soon as the captain was off it, or at least put a tracking device on it so it could be blown up at a later date.
Last I heard, Jack Bauer was sorting out the Somalia issue.
I agree.. they DO NOT MISS.
I heard other pirates said they learned from this experience. You might wonder what they learned? The snipers are better in person.
Don't they still have McGyver reruns playing for sailors?
Lu, if there is a single military that I would NOT mess with it is ours! Seriously, we offer or military the best training available.
DB, I'll admit that although I have sympathy for the loss, sometimes I have to wonder why people expect anything but the destruction they see when they live in an area prone to tornadoes. It would be like me complaining about the frigid winters. Oops! I guess I do that!
Jay, Ninjas! Of course! I bet we could get some of those on Etsy! I agree - it's not that easy. The ocean is a big place and these pirates use some tactics that keep them literally under the radar until it is too late.
Kat, it seems like taking the longer route would be far more cost efficient considering the millions of $$ shipping companies are paying in ransom. And yes, I can see the draw to pirating for those who are so desolate, and the increase in desperation should we keep even more away from them.
Bond, I agree, arming the crews is really not a viable option, although it would sure be nice if they were not so defenseless.
Doomed, I had to chuckle when I read that pirates were now saying that they would treat US hostages as they had been treated. Had we taken Somali hostages, their argument might have merit.
G-man, now that would have ruined their ransom demands, wouldn't it?
Leonhart, Damn that Jack Bower! He is clearly not pulling his weight!
Ethan, you'd think the pirates would learn that U.S. flagged vessels were not their best bet for economic gain.
When a 200-300ft steel vessel is at the mercy of some guys in a boat with an outboard motor... Something is way out of wack!
Bunch of muppets eh, anyway pirates called pirates ???
Coz they Arrrghhhhhh
Nicey
x
Hopefully the navy seals took the bodies and dumped them on a beach. The one that is alive, don't waste my tax money prosecuting him, drop him off far out to sea. The sea life will treat him as he should be treated.
if you‘re seriously interested in the situation…
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