American Morning
Somali women flocking to port in hope of marrying pirates
Pirates are holding a U.S. captain hostage at sea. The Navy is watching everything that happens. So what is supposed to happen next? And what is driving this problem? We talked to someone who knows a thing or two about the pirates and has experience covering them in Somalia. Kaj Larsen, former U.S. Navy SEAL, spoke to T.J. Holmes on CNN’s American Morning Thursday.
Larsen says the root conditions of poverty, lawlessness and civil war on the ground in Somalia are to blame. The large sums of ransom money being paid out to pirates, he says, is even leading some Somali women to venture to the port town of Bosaso in hopes of marrying these newly-rich men.
T.J. Holmes: We know that piracy pays. What is it that's going to break this cycle if every time they take a ship, they get paid. Why stop it?
Kaj Larsen: That's the 50 or $100 million question, which is about the money that the pirates took in last year in ransom. The solution unfortunately is not going to be a military-centric one. Ultimately, you to have to find some way to govern this ungoverned space, this lawless sanctuary that the pirates have in Somalia. That's really the only long-term solution you’re going to see to this problem.
Holmes: Let's start with the military solution. Why not send a message?
Larsen: Certainly there would be some deterrent effect. I think in this case, the incentives are so large. The money that they’re making is so extraordinary, especially by Somalia standards, that it would be difficult. However, in this particular situation, the goal is to solve it as quickly and as safely as possible without putting the hostage in jeopardy.
Holmes: There are hopeless, deplorable conditions in Somalia. A life of piracy looks pretty good for some of these young men compared to the conditions in Somalia.
Larsen: You couldn't have said it better, T.J. I’ve been on the ground in Somalia. One of the interesting demographic things that’s happening right now is that single Somali women are flocking to the port town Bosaso where these pirates come out of in the hopes of marrying a pirate. So you can see that it really is - the root conditions of poverty, lawlessness and civil war on the ground in Somalia are really what are breeding this problem.
Holmes: Is it worth the risk for these companies to continue to go through the Gulf of Aden? Does it cost much to take another route? Is it worth it to take the chance, pay the ransom, and keep moving?
Larsen: So far, that's been the model. As these attacks increase, we've seen six in the last week alone, the cost of doing business in that area is just going to be too high. The insurance companies are going to jack up the rates of insurance. And at some point, they're not going to be able to continue without taking much more serious security measures or without finding an alternative route.
Holmes: Do you think this situation will begin to draw more attention to what's happening there off the Horn of Africa and maybe more action will begin to be taken by countries all over the world?
Larsen: I think this is a clarion call to the international community that Somalia is and continues to be a failed state. And that if we don't continue to pay attention to it, if we don't start changing the conditions on the ground there, if we don't start governing that ungoverned space that it’s going to be a breeding ground for piracy and possibly international terrorism. So yes, I would hope that this situation, that the silver lining in the cloud is that people would start paying attention to this horrific situation in the country there.
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Can we all stop using the word "pirates" to describe these people? I think between the Disney movies, the Disney kiddie ride, and the Disney lawsuits against rogue websites, the word "pirate" has lost the seriousness that these situations demand. These men are not animatronic puppets singing with parrots on their shoulders. They are deranged, vicious criminals and we need to recognize that.
While I agree somethin' must be done on accoun' o' this issue affects th' everyday swabbie as well as these brave jacks – when insurance rates go up, th' cost o' th' items onboard th' ship go up. Givin' an RPG t' th' crew will only end up wi' th' shipmates gettin' equally (or probably more powerful) weaponry as well. These shipmates be makin' cargo holds o' pieces o' eight – don’t ye think they would be willin' t' spend a wee o' 't on th' black market t' maintain the'r trade?
Why nay try a trick that th' TSA uses t' ensure airline safety?
Be havin' th' Buccanneers remove the'r shoes before boardin' an' don’t let thenm carry more than 3 ounces o' shampoo.
What people also need to know is that various countries have been using area to dump chemical waste.
This has polluted the Somali water, the shoreland, decimating the fishing for people whose lives depend on that work.
Somalia's strategic location also means that various countries want to see their friend ruling that country, which leads to a lot of external manipulation, government toppling and intervention.
Unfortunately many Americans reading these stories don't have any idea of the history, true political issues, etc. of Somalia and this region, so their comments are based on what shallow information they get from the media and heavy amounts of their own ignorance/speculation.
Not to say that the pirating isn't wrong, but that there is more to the story than just 'bad people doing bad things'
I find it hilarious that the same people acting shocked that Somalis have reverted to savagery are from the same country that tried to "liberate" them from Italy in the '40s.
Not much attention is being paid to the hostages in these articles. It's the standard-issue, liberal, bleeding-heart nonsense where excuses are made for the "poor, advantage-starved, black man" in Africa. The solution is simple: Armed escort. Anyone trying to threaten a ship is destroyed. Pretty soon there won't be any pirates left.
But what do they do? Load up with non-lethal defensive weapons. lol As if Somalis are some endangered species they need to save for prosperity. Hilarious.
We be havin' t' take extreme measures t' shut 't down, like kill all shipmates. Otherwise, why wouldn’t they try this? 't’s such an easy way t' get rich!
Fight fire with fire – hunt down the hostages family members and kidnap them and hold them hostage - and kill them if necessary. This is so pathetic. We will never win with our hands tied.
Shades of Errol Flynn!!! He would have fought those buckaroos! We should be more protective of our vessels and international waters. Do what you have to do to protect the ships and crews. Armed is forewarned, or something like that.
how hard can 't be t' make adjustments t' th' vessels that be bein' attacked t' avast th' shipmates? ye know video cameras, radar, watchmen, an' obstructions on th' edge o' th' ship.
This is all Bill Clintons fault. All it took was two black hawk helicopters and we were out of there like the place was on fire. If we had stuck it out (we being the UN, you know the US and the 6 troops that the French sent) and made sure that they had a stable government instead of tribal/war lard rule this would not be happening now.
Good think we are not just abandoning Iraq.
YO HO HO HO A PIRATES LIFE FOR ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We’ve had t' deal wi' this before. Two bucketfull o' voyages ago, Ste'en Decatur an' th' USMC tookst care o' th' Barbary Shipmates…'t’s time t' send in th' Marines.
With regard t' armin' th' merchants…th' reason thar be havin' nay been many deaths t' date be on accoun' o' th' sea dogs know thar will nay be a great deal o' resistance on th' ships. Once th' ships startin' fightin' aft th' sea dogs will escalate the'r use o' force. They become exceptional killers in addition t' boat boarders. An' now ye be havin' runnin' gun battles at sea by non qualified swabbienel. Reecipe fer disaster. Dont forget motivation factors….Ship’s Captains would be fightin' an' riskin' his life an' his crew’s life fer a cargo that doesn’t belong t' them(doesn’t stand t' profit)…..Buccanneers puttin' food on th' table fer the'r families…….. Ship’s crew be paid t' sail ships nay swashbuckle sea dogs. Ortin' ta we arem ever' bank teller? Ever' American in a city wi' a high crime rate? Who hands ou' justice? Thoughts t' be considered….
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"violence isn’t the long-term answer".
That's right! As soon as the pirates realize they'll be blown out of the water, they'll stop attacking ships and there will be no more violence.
But not until then. From their point of view, they have no other reason to stop.
Arm the merchant marines with machine guns permanently mounted to the rail and locked by a key the captain holds.
–faye kane, homeless brain.
Read more of my smartmouth opinions at http://tinyurl.com/fayescave
Instead of destroying counterfeit currency, why don't we store it somewhere. Then when a hostage situation arises, Bundle it up with an RFID tracking chip. When these pirates get the money and release the hostage, drop a guided missile on them. You then destroy the counterfeit money, theypirates die and the hostage is free.
Win-Win all around.
We're not fighting back for a reason no one wants to admit: It's cheaper not to. The cost of developing Somalia into a working state, training their military and teaching them to stop this is higher than simply paying the ransom. Furthermore the companies know that Americans simply won't swallow the cost passed on to the consumer (in terms of more expensive imported goods) that would result from training and arming these crews. No one wants to admit it but that's the bottom line.
Heck England was allowed to commit piracy, along with wanton rape and murder, for the better part of 3 centuries and build an empire on it. Why? Easy, again it was cheaper for the rest of the world to merely ignore it, than deal with.
Wake up, we have no plans to get serious about this. European countries spent their 3 centuries committing much worse wanton acts of piracy. Now it's the African countries turn.
All nations have a legitimate governmental interest in keeping the ocean shipping channels free and have an absolute right to stop this evil. Here is a legitimate opportunity to assemble a "coalition of allies". All nations should band together and create a task force on sea and land to root out the pirates and assault both their ships and their ports. Here many nations that have "defense" forces could have "live action" training to season their forces. Nations like Japan, Korea and France have very well drilled forces that could benefit from the experience. If every nation sent a task force there would be a combined strength strong enough with sailors and marines to handle the job. Once the pirates were eliminated and their weapons destroyed, the task of "nation building" for Somalia could be undertaken. Until then, it is extremely naive to believe in negotiating with proven criminals. Our forefathers had it right, we should follow their example.
Somali Women = Gold Diggers
Also, well said. therandymancan
No one would be the wiser if you blew them clean out of the water in the middle of the sea. Just give it a little thought......One blast and no more pirate problem. I do not see a problem blasting them into the next world.....do you?
Obama's naughty brothers! Are we such wimps we will allow this to continue???
We should use a different tactic against the pirates. Use some old ID's such a Q-ship of old & when they board it you terminate them with excessive deadly force ! Then they may get the message or we just keep on blowing them away or just maybe bomb the entire country back to the stone age. You can't just keep using kids gloves with them. The world countries need to do something as a whole !
Military action be all about usin' terror t' send a political message an' achieve a political an' diplomatic goal. Let’s face 't, a sanitized war doesn’t work on accoun' o' th' fear factor be largely gone from th' fighters an' the'r civilian supporters.
Completely destroyin' one o' these port cities will send a better message than any diplomacy only solution. Fer them o' yer who reckon Viet Nam 't be only th' massive bombin' o' North Viet Nam that brought them aft t' th' peace table. Had they known that that would be th' response if they invaded th' South they nerewould be havin' invaded.
Let’s use history as a lesson an' if we be havin' t' use military force let’s use 't correctly an' forcefully t' archive our political an' diplomatic goals
Combat the Pirate with his worst enemy.......the Ninja!
Dispatch a platoon of Ninjas to the Somali coast and have them kill all of those damn Pirates!
how hard can it be to make adjustments to the vessels that are being attacked to stop the pirates? you know video cameras, radar, watchmen, and obstructions on the edge of the ship.
A couple o' well positioned 50 cal. machine cannons on these ships ortin' t' do th' trick.
While I agree something must be done because this issue affects the everyday person as well as these brave sailors – when insurance rates go up, the cost of the items onboard the ship go up. Giving an RPG to the crew will only end up with the pirates getting equally (or probably more powerful) weaponry as well. These pirates are making millions of dollars – don't you think they would be willing to spend a little of it on the black market to maintain their trade?
Why not try a trick that the TSA uses to ensure airline safety?
Have the Pirates remove their shoes before boarding and don't let thenm carry more than 3 ounces of shampoo.
Ironically, the namesake of the ship sent to take on the pirates, William Bainbridge, was sent to Tripoli to fight piracy in the 19th century.
Let me get this starboard…..a U.S. Navy warship wi' a full crew VS 4 rogue “gentleman o' fortunes” in a lifeboat? An' th' problem be? We’re showin' nay control o'er a situation this wee an' wonder why problems like this exist. Gimme a break…..let th' highly trained men in our Navy use the'r trainin' an' resolve what ortin' ta be a lunch break fix.
Just another case of the good guys not being able to fight back. The pirates have guns and rockets while the good guys use water cannons and sound devices. In my opinion it should be very simple to stop these pirates. These aren't kayaks or canoes. These are seaworthy vessels that should all be sunk. Not one boat allowed on all of somalia. That would stop the pirate attacks. Ethiopia and other countries around there have strong enough governments to police themselves so chances of piracy spreading elsewhere should be minimal. It's not rocket science.
We have to take extreme measures to shut it down, like kill all pirates. Otherwise, why wouldn't they try this? It's such an easy way to get rich!
We've had to deal with this before. Two hundred years ago, Steven Decatur and the USMC took care of the Barbary Pirates...it's time to send in the Marines.
Brin' aft th' privateers
I think be time i write a book about th' trouble in th' sahara, this swabbies be on scavangin' either thru water or desert , repossesin' everythin' a passerby be havin' on th' lad's or th' lass', this problem be on fer as long as th' world, travellign thru th' the horn o' Africa be like passin' thru th' wilderness either by th' sea an' land. th' final solution be what be comin' t' board light now, 't has keep happenin' on accoun' o' most swabbies robbed be belief t' be donig thar buisness an' they be havin' starboard t' eat part o' 't, but i think be time fer change an' th' change be simple, gettin' t' th' root o' th' GODFATHERS, an' thar be peace ere, when ye be a victim once ye wonder if ye be th' first victim untill ye get t' 1,000 swabbies tellin' ye thar ugly tales o' passin' th' Horn o' Africa,please try t' know th' real meanin' o' th' tuareg an' thar jobs. expect me publication soon
It is unfortunate that these types of activities are going on in a such dangerous world we are living and I am wondering if there are not terorist hands using these moneys.
@ chris I dont think u want to marry those God forsaking people. Killing each other to get waht they want . Dammn
In a failed state Somalia these pirates have nothing to lose, but every thing to gain. People are dying of hunger, deases and armed conflict in Somalia today. These pirates future is no future, but to die at early age in one way or another if the world community did not help Somalia to govern itself. Let us help Somalia govern it self and the pirate problem will disepate eventually.
It takes a lot of resources to control the area. You can not put force as the only solution in that area. These pirates have never injured or killed anyone. They have just a financial interest. This is an illegal way of making money. However, you have to understand the situation on that part of the world is grave. At the sametime you don't want to make merchant ships a war ships. These pirates are armed to the nose. That place has been a war zone and a terrorist breeding zone for decades. We have to bring stability in Somalia and guard the coast somhow. All the other endeavours are too costly and bring minimal solutions.
Dig out some old (preferably inexpensive) nuclear weapons from the parts bin, send them in an unarmed drone, and drop on the entire population of Somalia. Cockroaches exterminated!
Desperately poor people from one of the poorest and most desperate countries on earth getting money from companies based in the richest and most pampered country on earth. And we call them "creeps"?
That having been said, I would certainly be upset if one of my family were taken hostage or killed because the shipping company did not provide them with means of self defense. The companies risk crew lives for profit and pass the cost on to the customers. Maybe the focus should be on these companies.
I AGREE*********KILL TH' BUGGERS^^^^^^^^^WAIT_______
THEN THEY WILL KIDNAPP AN INOCENT SWABBIE ^^^^^^^
TAKE THEM ON THE'R WEE BOAT
AN' MAKE THEM KNOWN T' TH' BOAT CAPTAIN<<<<<<
THEN THEY WILL STAND BEHIND TH' INOCENT BODY*****
THEN WHAT BE TH' CAPTAIN T' DO???????????
yar.
If you do not negociate and blow everyone up, what is the incentive for more piracy?
Considerin' th' conditions here in th' US, I may eventually be havin' t' go t' Somalia an' marry a (female) seafarin' hearty!
I’m sure that if we threaten them but at th' same time offer some help t' get the'r country aft together, they would be receptive. Ye know, like we did wi' Iraq? … oh, neremind!
A sea dog says 't this way:
I really think they ortin' ta jus' let them do 't. 't’s entertainin' fer me, them, an' e'en th' crews. What’s a wee cargo holds o' bucks here an' thar? I be very intrigued t' be seein' what they spend the'r treasure on? Faster boats? Lavish gentleman o' fortune garb? Dubloon bullions? Maybe e'en a neat jolly roger wi' a skull. Probably jus' Escalades an' playstation 3’s tho.
Ya swabbie whut deserves the black spot!
What else ye got? An' be quick about it, I be shippin' out soon!
See How A Pirate Would Say It
New! Translate Yer Own Website!
If ye'd like t' hear how'd 't soun' if a pirate read yer web page ter ye, enter the ARRRRRL (URL) below decks. And be quick about it, I ain't got all voyage:
Where are all of you when it's time for voting at the polls?? 90% of the posts here call for either a military action or act of violence to send a message. Do you honestly believe that the new president that the majority of the country elected will take ANY action against these pirates that does not include paying them the money as has been done already? So don't be surprised that we are laying down and taking it. Bush would have taken care of this the old fashioned way: Don't mess with the USA.
Passive compliance led to the 9-11 disaster in this country. Airline crews were instructed to co-operate with hijackers and do as they say. We see where that led and certainly have a different mindset today. The same needs to apply to cargo vessels. They need to blow away any approaching small boat and not with water hoses and evasive tactics.We need Thomas Jefferson's approach to the Barbary pirates and start acting like Americans.
Pirates operate the same as any predator. It's a risk/reward calculation. The risk is very high... but not that much higher then the reality of daily life in Somalia.... but the reward is incredibly high... so they do it.
To reduce the frequency of piracy (you probably can't eliminate it entirely, just like you can never eliminate crime entirely). You need to change that equation on both ends.
Increase the risk by arming the merchant vessels (Yes, there is a risk to crews if there is a fire-fight but the risk to pirates is also much higer.... and trust me predators go after the easiest and safest prey they can find)... by sending out the occassional Q-ship (a vessel dressed up to be a merchent but actualy carrying a proffesional security detail) .... by greater naval patrols and by making piracy on the high seas on automatic capital offense.
Reduce the rewards by adopting a "No Ransom Ever" policy. Thus the incentive for taking the risk disappears.
Do those 2 things....and Piracy will drop significantly.
You be havin' t' eyeball 't from a crewmate perspective – If yer children, family, or shipmates be wastin' away from hunger, war, disease an' thar be nay future hope that 't will change, what would ye do? I assume most men readin' this comment would do th' same thin' that th' poor/poverished fishermen be doin' signin' up as seafarin' heartys. Nay matter what th' consequence, most men (an' lasses) would take serious action an' risk serious consequences t' give th' children a better chance. Would ye be able t' resist becomin' a seafarin' hearty if ye saw yer lad/lass’s stomach swollen from hunger? Would ye sit an' watch yer family sink t'Davy Jones' locker? I doubt 't. Most o' them men be traditional fishermen an' be havin' nay other option but t' rob th' International community t' save the'r families. I wouldn’t proclaim that all these seafarin' heartys be doin' 't fer families, greed will always play a role, but think about 't. I know if me children be starvin' an' sea sick, I’d be pretty desperate fer help.
Hey, let's impose a another tax on all american families that make over $250K and use that money for their port weddings. Throw in free college tuition and healthcare as a wedding gift.
Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum, a pocket full of dollars and some trident gum
Why don't they try to steal from a North Korean ship heading toward Iran for missile deals. Kim will nuke the hell out of them with a long range missile. I only mess with the US/UN but wouldn't dare mess with dictated communist. Our problem is we have too much mercy and human rights and apply them to wrong crowd.
It seems that these poor chaps and their families are without proper medical care and left with little opportunity for higher education.
We should convert some old militarty vessels into floating medical faciilties and schools! Then the pirates could get their needs met and not have to resort to desparate measures.
Jeff,
This pirates are fools Messing with the United states coast. Did anyone see them on cnn last night. They look ridiculously ugly and hungry, I mean the somailans or whatever they call themselves, Why would they hold the captain captive. Gosh America is too nice. I wish the US state navy could blow their brains off.
The words of one pirate from that lost age, a young British man called William Scott, should echo into this new age of piracy. Just before he was hanged in Charleston, South Carolina, he said: "What I did was to keep me from perishing. I was forced to go a-pirateing to live." In 1991, the government of Somalia collapsed. Its nine million people have been teetering on starvation ever since – and the ugliest forces in the Western world have seen this as a great opportunity to steal the country's fish supply and dump our nuclear waste in their seas.
Yes: nuclear waste. As soon as the government was gone, mysterious European ships started appearing off the coast of Somalia, dumping vast barrels into the ocean. The coastal population began to sicken. At first they suffered strange rashes, nausea and malformed babies. Then, after the 2005 tsunami, hundreds of the dumped and leaking barrels washed up on shore. People began to suffer from radiation sickness, and more than 300 died.
Put security on board. Give them guns. If the ship worth millions...spend few thousands...lots of ppl are out of work.
For all of you who keep stating what seems so obvious-arm the crews-it isnt done for a number of reasons including the threat of causing a massive fire or explosion should a shootout ensue.
Do you really think nobody has thought of your 'brilliant' idea of putting weapons in the hands of the crew?
I think is time i write a book about the trouble in the sahara, this people has been on scavanging either thru water or desert , repossesing everything a passerby have on him or her, this problem has been on for as long as the world, travellign thru the the horn of Africa is like passing thru the wilderness either by the sea and land. the final solution is what is coming to board light now, it has keep happening because most people robbed are belief to be donig there buisness and they have right to eat part of it, but i think is time for change and the change is simple, getting to the root of the GODFATHERS, and there will be peace forever, when you are a victim once you wonder if you are the first victim untill you get to 1,000 people telling you there ugly tales of passing the Horn of Africa,please try to know the real meaning of the tuareg and there jobs. expect my publication soon
I AGREE*********KILL THE BUGGERS^^^^^^^^^WAIT_______
THEN THEY WILL KIDNAPP AN INOCENT PERSON ^^^^^^^
TAKE THEM ON THEIR LITTLE BOAT
AND MAKE THEM KNOWN TO THE BOAT CAPTAIN<<<<<<
THEN THEY WILL STAND BEHIND THE INOCENT BODY*****
THEN WHAT IS THE CAPTAIN TO DO???????????
Considering the conditions here in the US, I may eventually have to go to Somalia and marry a (female) pirate!
I'm sure that if we threaten them but at the same time offer some help to get their country back together, they would be receptive. You know, like we did with Iraq? ... oh, never mind!
I really think they should just let them do it. It's entertaining for me, them, and even the crews. What's a few million bucks here and there? I am very intrigued to see what they spend their money on? Faster boats? Lavish pirate garb? Gold bullions? Maybe even a neat flag with a skull. Probably just Escalades and playstation 3's though.
We be havin' our own seafarin' heartys here, in th' banks, brokerage houses. Most o' our seafarin' heartys be called CEOs. Th' loot that th' Somali seafarin' heartys be havin' gotten be nothin' compared t' what our seafarin' heartys be havin' stolen. We don’t be havin' enough eye-patches t' go around. Unfortunately th' hade o' th' SEC an' Fanny Mae be wearin' patches o'er both one good eye.
Bring back the privateers
Let me get this right.....a U.S. Navy warship with a full crew VS 4 rogue "pirates" in a lifeboat? And the problem is? We're showing no control over a situation this small and wonder why problems like this exist. Gimme a break.....let the highly trained men in our Navy use their training and resolve what should be a lunch break fix.
Aaaaarrrrg! Don't ye be dissin my mateys
A couple of well positioned 50 cal. machine guns on these ships ought to do the trick.
Military action is all about using terror to send a political message and achieve a political and diplomatic goal. Let's face it, a sanitized war doesn't work because the fear factor is largely gone from the fighters and their civilian supporters.
Completely destroying one of these port cities will send a better message than any diplomacy only solution. For those of your who remember Viet Nam it was only the massive bombing of North Viet Nam that brought them back to the peace table. Had they known that that would be the response if they invaded the South they never would have invaded.
Let's use history as a lesson and if we have to use military force let's use it correctly and forcefully to archive our political and diplomatic goals
Yes I b'lieve makin' sweet trade a life o' certain Davy Jones' locker would be doin' th' world a favor, the'r nothin' more than thugs lookin' fer a quick buck.
The'r choice would be this, do th' starboard thin' an' stay homeport an' swashbuckle t' change the'r own country or suicide at sea. Comin' homeport from fightin' unarmed civilians at sea as a seafarin' hearty ortin't be an option.
Ya landlubber who ortin' t' be keel hauled!
We have our own pirates here, in the banks, brokerage houses. Most of our pirates are called CEOs. The loot that the Somali pirates have gotten is nothing compared to what our pirates have stolen. We don't have enough eye-patches to go around. Unfortunately the head of the SEC and Fanny Mae were wearing patches over both eyes.
How about a flame thrower on board ship? A flame thrower would be a simple, cost-effective deterent that would deter uninvited guests. This coupled wi' high-pressure water hoses would be enough t' deal wi' intruders. Also, bullet-proof, high-decible loudspeakers mounted th' the abroadside o' a ship would be very effective.
Ya swabbie whut deserves the black spot!
It is actually difficult to hit someone on a small boat bobbing in the water. Hand grenades will do fine but won't damage the hull of the container ship.
We be a part o' th' world an' Somali be a part o' th' world. If one o' yer finger get a simple wound, ye will treat 't medically so ye can keep 't as a part o' yer body. Th' solution be, let’s help them establish a governement then law can be applied. In stead o' bein' destructive t' th' society we can chnage them t' be productive. I think God/Universe be tellin' us indirectly pay attention fer this failed state. I think some o' them be sayin' jus' be havin' machine gun on board blha blha, how many somalis be u gonna shoot? all yer life or fer generation? th' most worryin' one be , 't can be hea'en fer for terrorists who can strike any 'ere. Th' sheep be simple one.
Ya landlubber whut deserves the black spot
Wow….did noone understand, hear, or care what th' root problem be here. Undeniably th' conditions in Somalia. 'Tis wonderful that most o' us livin' here in th' U.S. be havin' nay lived in a position 'ere ye had absolutely nothin' an' still had a family t' care fer or a life t' live. But I know, when th' chips be down I would do anythin' fer me children an' family t' provide an' care fer them. Many o' us would, if in th' same situation. When ye face Davy Jones' locker daily, then th' possibility o' bein' killed be nay longer a threat when th' possibility o' outstandin' amounts o' treasure an' a way t' provide fer yersef or family be a realistic outcome.
At some point th' actual issue which be causin' th' problem will need t' be address so that th' outcome will avast. Military aftlash be like havin' a tumor an' givin' someone an aspirin. Th' problem an' pain will still be thar. At some point th' root o' th' problem has t' be address. Military assistance may be needed as well….but that definitely won’t fix th' root problem. Poverty an' a sense o' hopelessness.
How about a flame thrower on board ship? A flame thrower would be a simple, cost-effective deterent that would deter uninvited guests. This coupled with high-pressure water hoses would be enough to deal with intruders. Also, bullet-proof, high-decible loudspeakers mounted the the outside of a ship would be very effective.
Simple. Give th' crew appropriate weapons. If an unwelcome boat approaches, shoot them. Isn’t that th' appropriate open water response?
Ya horn swogglin' landlubber!
Yes I believe making piracy a life of certain death would be doing the world a favor, their nothing more than thugs looking for a quick buck.
Their choice would be this, do the right thing and stay home and fight to change their own country or suicide at sea. Coming home from fighting unarmed civilians at sea as a pirate should not be an option.
somehow, i root for the pirates... where is my bottle of rum?
We are a part of the world and Somali is a part of the world. If one of your finger get a simple wound, you will treat it medically so you can keep it as a part of your body. The solution is, let's help them establish a governement then law can be applied. In stead of being destructive to the society we can chnage them to be productive. I think God/Universe is telling us indirectly pay attention for this failed state. I think some of them are saying just have machine gun on board blha blha, how many somalis are u gonna shoot? all your life or for generation? the most worrying one is , it can be heaven for for terrorists who can strike any where. The sheep is simple one.
It doesn't sound like just giving the crew a bunch of guns would solve everything. Besides the training required there, it'd start prompting the pirates to begin firing on crew as soon as they could be seen. These pirates may have more experience and accuracy with firearms and firefights than a civilian crew, and they don't stand to lose as much if the boat they hijack happens to have flammable cargo that starts burning or explodes as part of it.
Besideswhich, we need to look at the source, not just fight symptoms. So long as this remains a profitable business and has a good risk vs. reward factor when compared to normal Somalia life, more people will engage in it. Armed escorts are an option, but that's a question of how many ships we have in the area – besides which most of the ships hijacked have been from foreign countries and I'm sure many of the people saying 'just give them guns' are also opposed to the 'America as world police' role.
The solution t' th' “buccanneer” issue be simple. Arm an' train th' merchant marines an' civilian jacks. As a Navy veteran, I can tell ye thar be considerable time t' set up defense when hostile craft approach. A couple o' .50 cal an' an RPG or two along wi' side arms can repel th' attack. Bottom line…. continue t' sail into dangerous waters without defense, negotiatin' wi' hijackers an' payin' ransoms will only perpetute th' attacks. I simply can’t understand why shippin' lines continue t' send the'r ships into peril without a realistic defense strategy. I hope th' jacks get hazardous duty pay!
With regard to arming the merchants...the reason there have not been many deaths to date is because the pirates know there will not be a great deal of resistance on the ships. Once the ships starting fighting back the pirates will escalate their use of force. They will become exceptional killers in addition to boat boarders. And now you have running gun battles at sea by non qualified personnel. Reecipe for disaster. Dont forget motivation factors....Ship's Captains would be fighting and risking his life and his crew's life for a cargo that doesn't belong to them(doesn't stand to profit).....Pirates putting food on the table for their families........ Ship's crew are paid to sail ships not fight pirates. Should we arem every bank teller? Every American in a city with a high crime rate? Who hands out justice? Thoughts to be considered....
I agree with Ian R. on the low cost solution. Maritime law as we know it now does not allow merchant vessels to carry tactical weapons. However this law does not stop each vessel to do all it can do to "protect" herself and her crew. While we are waiting to change maritime law, the ships should "protect" themselves anyway they can.
Alternatively, the Americans can also, using appropriate firepower and persuasion, clear all the settlements along the Somali coast. Its not like there is "government" to oppose them in the UN.
Wow....did noone understand, hear, or care what the root problem is here. Undeniably the conditions in Somalia. It is wonderful that most of us living here in the U.S. have not lived in a position where you had absolutely nothing and still had a family to care for or a life to live. But I know, when the chips are down I would do anything for my children and family to provide and care for them. Many of us would, if in the same situation. When you face death daily, then the possibility of being killed is no longer a threat when the possibility of outstanding amounts of money and a way to provide for yourself or family is a realistic outcome.
At some point the actual issue which is causing the problem will need to be address so that the outcome will stop. Military backlash is like having a tumor and giving someone an aspirin. The problem and pain will still be there. At some point the root of the problem has to be address. Military assistance may be needed as well....but that definitely won't fix the root problem. Poverty and a sense of hopelessness.
Everything affects everything else.
Typical American comments...we just can't kill the whole world to save MONEY!!!....u people are really wrmongers maybe its time that WE americans looked at the root problem and fix it or take a different shipping route..no we want to blow up everyone..seems like our attitude is definitelyhelping us with the rest of the worlds...as long as we keep this attitude the world will not respect us..thank god Bush is not in office or we would be at war with Somalia also..WAKE UP PEOPLE!!!
we should take the pirates in with open arms, feed them, bathe them, show them how wonderful it is to live in the USA.
This would surely reform their thinking!
Time to toughen up, no? Brinks truck drivers are armed, why not crews of ships in dangerous waters? We certainly have the weaponry and surveillance gear to annihilate anyone posing a threat. At some point, ship owners and their insurers will figure this out. I'm amazed the world tolerates this nonsense.
shheeee i want to be pirate too..........i work 50 hrs weeks for 20,000 a year !!!!
I love Ian and Michael's ideas . . . I'm with you!
Simple. Give the crew appropriate weapons. If an unwelcome boat approaches, shoot them. Isn't that the appropriate open water response?
pouvez vous bezer mon Derriere Americano, iggy. We aint iggurint, we's stupid.
Why nay send decoy ships? Be havin' them look like th' unarmed ships but be havin' commandos aboard who will take care o' th' sea dogs when they try t' board. In th' present situation wi' a ship’s captain held hostage in a lifeboat: send in some Seals t' rescue th' lad's.
Infiltrate the crop of would-be brides. Seduce the pirates. Create a domestic environment they can't refuse and then a flock of kids. Turn the guys into family men with little league obligations.
1) The ocean is freaking big. To find a random ship is like looking for a needle in a haystack...a really really big haystack (10 mil sq miles). Satellite technology is spying on things where the location is known, but finding moving objects is harder
2) Our technology is not up to snuff with Under Siege 2 spy technology. Looking at a boat from keyhole images will tell you there is a boat. Even if you could spot a "dime" on the boat you still don't know if that boat is a pirate or just a cargo ship
3) Not paying the ransom = dead hostages
4) Attacking this port town = dead hostages
5) Imagine if you were the hostage or if you had a loved one who was a hostage – how would you feel if your company didn't pay the ransom?
Something has to be done. It's not as easy as "blow them up". Anyone who thinks it's that simple is very naive.
Seems someone with some resources would have an opportunity to start a successful security service for hire. I wish I knew how to go about such an effort...
Larry
http://www.damnineedajob.com
Piracy not so bad versus conditions in Somolia? Piracy looks great versus condition here in the USA!!! One score for a $100 million payday and a bride waiting in port, sign me up.
The Nazi's had an idea to take care of this...Commerce Raiders. Looked like a freighter, but when someone got to close, down came the freighter facade and their 5 inch guns blasted the Brits to bits. Should be easy to adapt this 1940's technology.
....hello....I'm thinking this is how we are getting our money back from China...hello folks! Those pirates are probably employed by the US! We rock, when in doubt we find a way! Blame on some random pirates...nice job!
You have to look at it from a human perspective – If your children, family, or friends were wasting away from hunger, war, disease and there was no future hope that it will change, what would you do? I assume most men reading this comment would do the same thing that the poor/poverished fishermen are doing signing up as pirates. No matter what the consequence, most men (and women) would take serious action and risk serious consequences to give the children a better chance. Would you be able to resist becoming a pirate if you saw your son/daughter's stomach swollen from hunger? Would you sit and watch your family die? I doubt it. Most of those men are traditional fishermen and have no other option but to rob the International community to save their families. I wouldn't proclaim that all these pirates are doing it for families, greed will always play a role, but think about it. I know if my children were starving and sick, I'd be pretty desperate for help.
I will simply part the seas beneath these heathens and demand they think green.
These shipping companies need hire a privatized security company. Like BlackWater to set up some decoy vessels wait for the pirates...Kill them all and turn their boats into drift wood. Post pictures of their bloated floating bodies in these "pirate port cities" See if those women wanna marry a rotting corpse. Whatever happened to good old American can do. Meet violence with shocking, devistating violence.