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.
Call our amFIX hotline and sound off: 1-877-MY-AMFIX. We'll play some of your comments tomorrow on American Morning, 6-9am ET.
About this Show
Welcome to the American Morning blog where you can get daily news updates from American Morning's reporters and producers. Join us for "the most news in the morning," weekdays from 6-9 a.m. ET, only on CNN.
On Twitter
Check this article ou' : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_of_Aden
Looks like only th' Indian Navy be patrollin' this area!! We need t' involve more countries t' patrol this area
Well, what kind of message is this sending? That you can get rich quick by piracy and not worry about prison time? The thing is, the goods on those ships can be replaced easily...oil can't and that's why there are a million soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan and few anit-piracy vessels in Somalia.
Its not so simple as to arm the the ships. Many of the ships in the region are carrying fuel, a pirate could literally hold up a lighter with threats of blowing the whole ship and successfully take tcontrol. Ok, so why not destry the pirates' boats before they reach the vessel? The cargo ships are huge, they have a crew of ~20 people. How many spare crew do you think there are to patrol the edges after accounting for operating the ship and sleep shifts? The pirates are almost always onboard before they are detected, and fixing that would require a much larger crew and an investment in technology. As for using sonar to help, you need to realize how many other boats are in these areas. If shiping vessels start sending rpgs at local fishermen, there will be an international incident, not to mention the problem of having these same ships enter US ports armed to the teeth.
There are very few US registered ships, explaining why our governement has not done much yet. The vast majority of shipping vessels are registered elsewhere, giving us little jurisdiction other than when they enter our waters. The insurance companies are going to drive this. I'm sure the companies know exactly how much this costs versus the cost of ending the problem through other means. Thousands of ships every day do not get hijacked. If enough do that companies are losing money, they will change the routes or employ security escorts. I can only assume the cost of doing so right now outweighs the cost of taking a chance on a ransom.
IF 'T BE PORT UP T' OBAMA , HE WOULD PROBABLEY SAY ” YE GUY’S ORTIN' TA NAY BE DOING THIS ” PLAY 'T COOL , AN WE WILL GET YE T' AMERICA , AN YE CAN LAY ON TH' BEACH , AN RECEIVE , WHAT WE CALL SOC , THAR BE ONE CATCH , YE CAN NAY PRODUCE OVER 8 BABBIES AT ONE SETTING. OK1 , AN YE BE A AMERICAN CVITIZEN , AN YE T' MAY BE PRESIDENT O' TH' USA. LOOK AT ME I BE PRESIDENT , AN I HOLD A BIRTH CERTIFICATE O' A FOREIGN COUNTRY. NOW GIVE THIS A THOUGHT . THAT WAY NOBODY GETS HURT. JUS' TH' TAXPAYERS ,
i actually watched a documentary on this situation about 2 months ago centered around a team of commandos employed by blackwater who were taking out the supply ships of these pirates using the same tatics the pirates use. you see these pirates small boats are towed out by larger vessels who refuel and resupply them out at sea the blackwater commandos used the same method having a large ship they launched from to board the supply ships, but just like the merchant ships the commandos had no firearms just knives and other simple weapons due to the strict international policies on firearms. during the documentary they did take one ship sucessfully but also talked about a botched mission in which a commando was killed.
Why don't these ships just mount a few machine guns on each side?? It would be very easy to defend against and sink any pirates if the shipping companies had any balls. In the old days, sailing merchant ships were armed with cannons to defend themselves against pirates.. The reality is Somalia is unlikely to ever have any government capable of controlling the pirates, and the sea is too big for armed warships to patrol... This won't stop until the ships start taking some protective counter-measures.
Nuke’em! An' once th' dust has settled, make former Somalia into a base fer our Southern Pacific fleet’s swashbuckler jets.
Awesome translations seafarin' hearty! Be ye actually manually doin' 't or be ye usin' some seafarin' heartyd translation software?
this sounds like a good place for the blackwater pirvite security people to be.
joeb
all that "super" equiptment you are talking about is in the movies. defense contractors get paid massive amounts of money to create it but it doesnt go everywhere. thats why our troops didnt even have armor on their humvees in iraq!
richard ford
killing them all never works. it works for a short time but all it does is create a worse situation. the fact is you might kill a bunch but then the next bunch learns from the previous ones mistakes. its called evolution. thats why britain lost america, rome lost rome, and america lost iraq. you cant kill anything. the problem will get worse later on. the key is peace and education. no matter how naive it may seem and how patient you have to be and how hard the job is it is the only solution to the worlds problems. when education fails the country fails. look at us now. the richest country in the world on the brink of destruction and the people are too busy watching american idol!!!!
This ortin' ta be a simple fix. We (th' US GOVT) be fightin' a war on terror. Lookin' fer that POS in afganistan. Tookst ou' a dictator in Iraq. Put a man on th' moon an' they cant figure ou' how t' take care o' a bunch o' idiots runnin' around in a boat. The'r be nay real govt in somalia. So sit at th' ports an' wait fer them. I think 't be obvious t' be seein' who be who an' jus' take them ou' or take them into custody.
it's amazing that the US can go into a country (IRAQ) and take it completely over but they have no idea how to fight these low tech pirates. This leads me to believe they are being "sanctioned" or "trained" for some kind of warfare the same way WE trained Al Qeda.
The truth will reveal itself in the years to come.
IF IT IS LEFT UP TO OBAMA , HE WOULD PROBABLEY SAY " YOU GUY'S SHOULD NOT BE DOING THIS " PLAY IT COOL , AN WE WILL GET YOU TO AMERICA , AN YOU CAN LAY ON THE BEACH , AN RECEIVE , WHAT WE CALL SOC , THERE IS ONE CATCH , YOU CAN NOT PRODUCE OVER 8 BABBIES AT ONE SETTING. OK1 , AN YOU ARE A AMERICAN CVITIZEN , AN YOU TO MAY BE PRESIDENT OF THE USA. LOOK AT ME I AM PRESIDENT , AN I HOLD A BIRTH CERTIFICATE OF A FOREIGN COUNTRY. NOW GIVE THIS A THOUGHT . THAT WAY NOBODY GETS HURT. JUST THE TAXPAYERS ,
@Richard Ford, yer response be, sadly, resonant wi' that o' many Westerners, an' be largely informed by ignorance. Make th' price o' sweet trade in Somalia too high? As opposed t' what? Dyin' o' hunger, malnutrition, disease etc? Havin' been in Somalia, I know that one only needs t' be on th' verge o' starvation, malnutrition etc t' be compelled t' do pretty much anythin' howereextreme t' get food an' survive, all perils notwithstandin'. Th' West ignored Somalia on accoun' o' then 't really didn’t concern them. That be a huge strategic error, but I b'lieve its nay too late fer th' world t' fix this mess. I b'lieve America, EU an' influential Asian countries ('ceptin' China an' Russia, which ben fannin' th' war in Somalia by providin' weapons t' th' militia) can together help brin' stability t' this country. Wake up world an' smell th' grog!
Check this article out : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_of_Aden
Looks like only the Indian Navy is patrolling this area!! We need to involve more countries to patrol this area
The shippin' companies need t' hire mercs t' go along th' crew. A couple o' well placed 50 cals ortin' ta be enough t' take ou' the'r rinky dink dingies!
This should be a simple fix. We (the US GOVT) is fighting a war on terror. Looking for that POS in afganistan. Took out a dictator in Iraq. Put a man on the moon and they cant figure out how to take care of a bunch of idiots running around in a boat. Their is no real govt in somalia. So sit at the ports and wait for them. I think it will be obvious to see who is who and just take them out or take them into custody.
Maybe th' best solution be t' hire a lot o' th' sea dogs t' protect th' maritime routes. If they be busy protectin' ye they cannot attack ye! They be local, they be cheap, pay them by th' hade o' each dead sea dog that they brin' t' ye. Pretty soon ye will be havin' a coast guard managed by some warlord!
Handlin' th' smart-like problem o' Somolian sweet trade be one issue, but thar’s another that I be havin' nay seen or heard from ere yet. How do we know if any o' th' seafarin' heartys enriched from previous adventures be immigratin' t' th' U.S.? Th' Washington D.C. area be inundated wi' Ethiopian immigrants. Be America watching/screenin' ere from this country who has mass weath an' be tryin' t' settle here? If so, be they investigatin' t' be seein' if such wealth be legimate? What about watchin' t' be seein' if any current immigrants be receivin' treasure from Ethiopia? These tactics could provide a means o' decipherin' who some o' these anonymous seafarin' heartys be as well as settlin' th' reports o' Al Queda involvement. This sweet trade must avast as th' world economy be already in shambles an' such interruptions t' trade as well as th' ransom payments will eventually affect us all!
Awesome translations pirate! Are you actually manually doing it or are you using some pirated translation software?
Handling the immediate problem of Somolian piracy is one issue, but there’s another that I have not seen or heard from anyone yet. How do we know if any of the pirates enriched from previous adventures are immigrating to the U.S.? The Washington D.C. area is inundated with Ethiopian immigrants. Is America watching/screening anyone from this country who has mass weath and are trying to settle here? If so, are they investigating to see if such wealth is legimate? What about watching to see if any current immigrants are receiving money from Ethiopia? These tactics could provide a means of deciphering who some of these anonymous pirates are as well as settling the reports of Al Queda involvement. This piracy must stop as the world economy is already in shambles and such interruptions to trade as well as the ransom payments will eventually affect us all!
At 300 miles ou' thar must be a “mother ship” We taxpayers fund satelites (ones up in space unlike Kimmy’s make b'lieve satelite). Th' satelite gets th' Coordinates an' a cruise arrr missle does th' rest. TH' ONLY WAY t' avast these seafarin' heartys be t' convince them, they will sink t'Davy Jones' locker. Ye can’t reason, negotiate or bargin wi' these animals. They must be killed.
Sweet trade an' Child molestation-Davy Jones' locker.
Remove the'r membership in society. Brin' aft Snake Pluskin’s escape from NY.
BJ
Nuke'em! And once the dust has settled, make former Somalia into a base for our Southern Pacific fleet's fighter jets.
Best and fastest way to stop these pirates is stealth. Dispatch cargo ships to the area with empty containers but armed to the teeth.
High power machine guns and rocket launchers to destroy any pirate ship. When the chase begin, get them in sight and destroy them.
Using Arial surveillance to ID the pirates and pull them in for the kill. After destroying a several pirate ships, they'll get the message.
Again, 't’s nay about liberal v.s. conservative as some o' ye want t' frame 't. 't’s about TREASURE, plain an' simple. Cost effectiveness.
Bush did nothin' about this, jus' like Clinton didn’t, an' Obama won’t fer one simple reason: 't’s cheaper t' ignore sweet trade. Ye might nay like that answer, but 't’s th' truth.
Do ye honestly think that if we WANTED t' try an' deal wi' this problem we couldn’t? Or that we weren’t able t' do durin' th' past 8 voyages o' th' previous administration? Face 't: We don’t want t' deal wi' this problem, so we’re nay. NAY ONE in th' U.S. government or military, from Gates t' Mullin t' ere be e'en proposin' we deal withi 't.
Heck e'en th' Navy SEAL in this interview ADMITTED dealin' wi' 't entails rebuildin' the'r failed state, givin' them other options an' trainin' the'r military. That’s what ever' expert who knows about th' situation be tellin' ye 't would take. That’s what 't would take. E'en if swabbies on message boards suddenly think mere violence would solve this, 't won’t. These swabbies be havin' nothin' t' lose. They don’t CARE if they sink t'Davy Jones' locker.
To th' warmongers ou' thar, I be havin' this t' say: Let ye among ye who would NAY become a gentleman o' fortune under th' same circumstances be th' first t' cast a stone. I’m bettin' that most o' ye would (an' who could blame ye?). Th' solution must involve liftin' Somalia ou' o' chaos an' anarchy.
Perhaps th' shippin' companies could use an old WWII tactic – form up convoys o' ships wi' destroyer escorts t' get through th' danger zone.
The shipping companies need to hire mercs to go along the crew. A couple of well placed 50 cals should be enough to take out their rinky dink dingies!
Martha – why show compassion? Th' ‘obvious’ choice be nay fer them t' turn t' crime. Th' more obvious choice would be fer them t' figure ou' a way t' make what they be havin' work fer them. Then maybe we could show compassion by helpin' them. They can fix th' problems they be havin' without resortin' t' piratin' – surely thar must be a better solution than that. I do nay generally agree that violence be th' best solution fer anythin', but in this case I think that be th' only solution – blast ‘em all!
I’m really surprised that th' international shippin' community has nay come up wi' a solution t' th' shipmate problem other than jus' payin' them. That seems so impotent an' lame, plus 't encourages them t' continue.
Maybe the best solution is to hire a lot of the pirates to protect the maritime routes. If they are busy protecting you they cannot attack you! They are local, they are cheap, pay them by the head of each dead pirate that they bring to you. Pretty soon you will have a coast guard managed by some warlord!
I'm surprised how many people apparently didn't read the article. There are many reasons why a military solution doesn't work.
1. Do you realize how big that area of ocean is? The cost of destroying the pirates would FAR outweigh the ransom costs for a decade. Not to mention that they can just go ashore and disappear. After all, it's not like a foreign military can follow them to even within 100 miles of their coast.
2. Killing them won't stop them. Their alternative to piracy is poverty and death. Riches and death is a pretty good alternative to that. You'd need to kill everyone in Somalia to get rid of them. I think we can all agree fixing the situation in Somalia would be much easier.
Hell – I'll marry a Somali if this keeps up. This is ridiculous and could be stopped TODAY.
Wrong, wrong! wrong! Be seein' that be what be wrong wi' this governments way o' dealin' wi' Criminals…Oh we need t' clist up th' infrastructure, take care o' 't from th' inside…WHat! What th' government needs t' do be be havin' a security force on U.S ships in International waters, shoot t' kill seafarin' heartys (like they used t') an' make a statement t' th' International community that says “We will nay tolerate Terrorist, so therefore, we will nay tolerate Shipmates”. Why on earth would we continue t' fork o'er treasure t' these (I used loosely) swabbies…when all they be basically be terrorists an' need t' be “eliminated” like th' terrorists they be. We be in Iraq & Afghanistan, what’s th' difference…..Avast this by kickin' some aft!!
To the warmongers out there, I have this to say: Let ye among you who would NOT become a pirate under the same circumstances be the first to cast a stone. I'm betting that most of you would (and who could blame you?). The solution must involve lifting Somalia out of chaos and anarchy.
Perhaps the shipping companies could use an old WWII tactic – form up convoys of ships with destroyer escorts to get through the danger zone.
Sure you could have predator drones patrolling the skies but this gets very expensive and the territory is too big.
Better answer. Retrofit all ships that travel those seas with turrets. And have the turrets manned. Have 6 total. 2 front, 2 back, 2 sides. Very well protected to withstand RPG blasts. Heavy machine guns with high caliber .5 or more. And have them manned.
The cost per turret would be what $50,000. Small price to pay versus $5 million ransom.
Then just blow them away when they approach the ship.
I think giving the crew small arms would be ok. But the pirates pepper the decks with fire to prevent crew from coming out the doors. If 6 crew were in turret this would not be an issue.
There be only one solution t' this problem.Ye send Boppa t' th' shores o' Somalia an' let th' lad's go South Bronx New York crazy on them.Boppa be always well equipped t' handle this kind o' situation.He would probably send Velde t' th' fore lines first tho.BLAAAAAKKKKK t' Boppa!……..
Martha – why show compassion? Th' ‘obvious’ choice be nay fer them t' turn t' crime. Th' more obvious choice would be fer them t' figure ou' a way t' make what they be havin' work fer them. Then maybe we could show compassion by helpin' them. They can fix th' problems they be havin' without resortin' t' piratin' – surely thar must be a better solution than that. I do nay generally agree that violence be th' best solution fer anythin', but in this case I think that be th' only solution – blast ‘em all!
Again, it's not about liberal v.s. conservative as some of you want to frame it. It's about MONEY, plain and simple. Cost effectiveness.
Bush did nothing about this, just like Clinton didn't, and Obama won't for one simple reason: It's cheaper to ignore piracy. You might not like that answer, but it's the truth.
Do you honestly think that if we WANTED to try and deal with this problem we couldn't? Or that we weren't able to do during the past 8 years of the previous administration? Face it: We don't want to deal with this problem, so we're not. NO ONE in the U.S. government or military, from Gates to Mullin to anyone is even proposing we deal withi it.
Heck even the Navy SEAL in this interview ADMITTED dealing with it entails rebuilding their failed state, giving them other options and training their military. That's what every expert who knows about the situation is telling you it would take. That's what it would take. Even if people on message boards suddenly think mere violence would solve this, it won't. These people have nothing to lose. They don't CARE if they die.
At 300 miles out there must be a "mother ship" We taxpayers fund satelites (ones up in space unlike Kimmy's make believe satelite). The satelite gets the Coordinates and a cruise missle does the rest. THE ONLY WAY to stop these pirates is to convince them, they will die. You can't reason, negotiate or bargin with these animals. They must be killed.
Piracy and Child molestation-death.
Remove their membership in society. Bring back Snake Pluskin's escape from NY.
BJ
Wrong, wrong! wrong! See that is what is wrong with this governments way of dealing with Criminals...Oh we need to clean up the infrastructure, take care of it from the inside...WHat! What the government needs to do is have a security force on U.S ships in International waters, shoot to kill pirates (like they used to) and make a statement to the International community that says "We will not tolerate Terrorist, so therefore, we will not tolerate Pirates". Why on earth would we continue to fork over money to these (I used loosely) people...when all they are basically are terrorists and need to be "eliminated" like the terrorists they are. We are in Iraq & Afghanistan, what's the difference.....Stop this by kicking some butt!!
Since we know 'ere th' gentleman o' fortunes’ fancy mansions be, couldn’t we threaten t' blow them up if they interfere wi' our ships?
I assume 't’s a matter o' time before some o' th' Iraq contractors like Blackwater, etc. start offerin' the'r services t' shippin' companies. Helicopter 4-5 armed guards on a ship, includin' a sniper or two, a wee days before 't gets close t' any port in East Africa, then pick them up once th' ship leaves port an' goes a certain distance. I figure 't would cost about 20k per ship fer maybe about a tides o' guard service, probably cheaper than increased insurance, an' definitely cheaper than payin' ransom
I'm really surprised that the international shipping community has not come up with a solution to the pirate problem other than just paying them. That seems so impotent and lame, plus it encourages them to continue.
Someone here said we need to fix the conditions in Somalia. Ok lets fix the economy in Somalia, then mexico, then the USA. Then there will be no more pirates and no more crime. :0.
I wonder why that seems unlikely?
@Richard Ford, your response is, sadly, resonant with that of many Westerners, and is largely informed by ignorance. Make the price of piracy in Somalia too high? As opposed to what? Dying of hunger, malnutrition, disease etc? Having been in Somalia, I know that one only needs to be on the verge of starvation, malnutrition etc to be compelled to do pretty much anything however extreme to get food and survive, all perils notwithstanding. The West ignored Somalia because then it really didn't concern them. That was a huge strategic error, but I believe its not too late for the world to fix this mess. I believe America, EU and influential Asian countries (except China and Russia, which have been fanning the war in Somalia by providing weapons to the militia) can together help bring stability to this country. Wake up world and smell the coffee!
Handling the immediate problem of Somolian piracy is one issue, but there's another that I have not seen or heard from anyone yet. How do we know if any of the pirates enriched from previous adventures are immigrating to the U.S.? The Washington D.C. area is inundated with Ethiopian immigrants. Is America watching/screening anyone from this country who has mass weath and are trying to settle here? If so, are they investigating to see if such wealth is legimate? What about watching to see if any current immigrants are receiving money from Ethiopia? These tactics could provide a means of deciphering who some of these anonymous pirates are as well as settling the reports of Al Queda involvement. This piracy must stop as the world economy is already in shambles and such interruptions to trade as well as the ransom payments will eventually affect us all!
Now this be th' perfect situation fer BlackWater, until innocent fisherman be killed but ahoy I’ll take that gamble. Jus' like 't’s yer inalienable starboard t' keel haul through a bad neighborhood at night, but commonsense dictates ye don’t do 't. Thus them real fisherman better stay ou' o' them waters or……….
Martha,
I be havin' an idee fer ye. Move yer liberal arse t' Somalia. I say if they attack an' board a ship they be subject t' Davy Jones' locker by execution. These shippin' companies need t' hire private security firms t' handle this, we th' taxpayers be footin' th' bill fer any military operations. Th' taxpayers ortin't be responsible fer providin' security on a private vessel.
Martha – why show compassion? The 'obvious' choice is not for them to turn to crime. The more obvious choice would be for them to figure out a way to make what they have work for them. Then maybe we could show compassion by helping them. They can fix the problems they have without resorting to pirating – surely there must be a better solution than that. I do not generally agree that violence is the best solution for anything, but in this case I think that is the only solution – blast 'em all!
Discipline be th' same whether they be 3 or a Somalia terrorist. If a 3-voyage-old knows he can get a cookie by throwin' a tantrum…he will continue t' throw a tantrum. If he doesn’t get a cookie…th' tantrum stops. I say let loose th' Navy Seals an' let them rescue th' Captain. This be what they be trained t' do fer heaven’s sake.
I think that th' Al-Quedan afted Islamist army will soon find its way t' th' ports. That’s pretty much th' only part o' Somalia they don’t rule, an' th' treasure be irresistable. Whether th' sweet trade continues t' fund terror or whether th' sweet trade be declared un-islamic be th' big question. As fer th' lasses, they’ll soon be executed fer bein' sinners.
David has the right idea. Nuke em.
Why don't ships have their own small crafts with special ops type security teams to intercept other small crafts and destroy them?
Typical American response– blow sea dogs an' land lubbers up. If that worked, don’t ye think th' shippin' companies would be doin' 't? Get educated about how th' sweet trade works an' why armin' th' crew will nay work. Then, come aft wi' a real solution.
Duh… leds blowss thems up!!
You can not help people who are unwilling to help themselves. Many lives will be lost to turn this place around, but how many are being lost now. These people do not understand reasoning or civility. The old adage of fighting fire with fire may apply.
For those saying these pirates don't value your lives, then why are they looking to improve them?
Where do you put $50M in Somalia anyway? The bank? And where do you spend that kind of money there?
Discipline is the same whether they are 3 or a Somalia terrorist. If a 3-year-old knows he can get a cookie by throwing a tantrum...he will continue to throw a tantrum. If he doesn't get a cookie...the tantrum stops. I say let loose the Navy Seals and let them rescue the Captain. This is what they are trained to do for heaven's sake.
These buccanneers be already operatin' 300+ miles from shore on wee boats powered wi' outboard motors. If they’re nay lily livered o' that, pointin' a gun in the'r direction be nay goin' t' be much o' a deterrent.
I agree that armin' th' crew, or addin' a security detail t' th' ships might help things, but that becomes an amazingly complex problem. Th' ships can carry weapons in international waters, but thar be huge number o' rules an' regulations pertainin' t' firearms in port an' in territorial waters. B'lieve me, if this be a viable option, 't would ben done already. Shippin' companies be havin' cargo holds o' $$ invested in the'r ships an' cargo. If a $1000 rifle issued t' each crewman would fix th' problem, they’d be havin' done 't voyages ago.
Th' real answer be what’s already bein' done–th' same way ye protect yersef from a loaded t' th' gunwhales dri'er crashin' into yer car. 't’s called an insurance policy.
Sweet trade like this makes th' news, but th' reality be that buckets o' ships set sail in them waters ever' tide, an' 't’s ever' once in a while that a ship be captured. This be nay new. 't’s been happenin' fer decades. 't might sound unappealin' t' give ransom treasure t' buccanneers, but 'tis a very cost effective solution.
Does ere be havin' an idee how much 't costs t' send jus' ONE Navy ship ou' thar? 't’s a lot more than th' cost o' a ransom payment.
When someone lives in conditions so devastatin' that attackin' a ship an' hijackin' 't or takin' hostages t' obtain treasure t' buy his/th' lass' way ou' be an option, cannons onboard ships will nay be a deterrant. This may be a form o' suicide fer th' shipmates but fer many 'tis better than dyin' doin' nothin'.
I sympathize wi' companies losin' the'r ships an' wi' families in fear fer the'r loved ones taken hostage facin' Davy Jones' locker. I also understand th' hopelessness o' th' Somalians promptin' this action. I don’t agree wi' this violence–I jus' understand 't.
Martha,
I have an idea for you. Move your liberal ass to Somalia. I say if they attack and board a ship they are subject to death by execution. These shipping companies need to hire private security firms to handle this, we the taxpayers are footing the bill for any military operations. The taxpayers should not be responsible for providing security on a private vessel.
No one would be th' wiser if ye blew them clist ou' o' th' water on th' yardarm o' th' sea. Jus' give 't a wee thought……One blast an' nay more swashbuckler problem. I do nay be seein' a problem blastin' them into th' next world…..do ye?
Now this is the perfect situation for BlackWater, until innocent fisherman are killed but hey I'll take that gamble. Just like it's your inalienable right to walk through a bad neighborhood at night, but commonsense dictates you don't do it. Thus those real fisherman better stay out of those waters or..........
I think that the Al-Queda backed Islamist army will soon find its way to the ports. That's pretty much the only part of Somalia they don't rule, and the money will be irresistable. Whether the piracy continues to fund terror or whether the piracy will be declared un-islamic is the big question. As for the women, they'll soon be executed for being sinners.
The old song says 't best:
“What ortin' ta ye do wi' a scurvy buccanneer? Make th' lad's keel haul th' plank!”
That song has some historical basis t' 't on accoun' o' that be how sweet trade be handled aft in th' days when maritime set sail be th' only means o' long range transportation an' shippin'. Sweet trade be nay tolerated an' buccanneers be dangerous, on accoun' o' they knew if they be captured, they be dead men. Today’s buccanneers be total yeller bellies an' would give up th' practice if they knew 't meant certain smart-like Davy Jones' locker if they be captured or spotted in international waters.
Lob a wee shells from a warship into th' ports they use as bases an' offer ransoms fer buccanneer leaders an' warlords runnin' this game fer good measure. Yo ho ho!
Ya scurvy cur!
I assume it's a matter of time before some of the Iraq contractors like Blackwater, etc. start offering their services to shipping companies. Helicopter 4-5 armed guards on a ship, including a sniper or two, a few days before it gets close to any port in East Africa, then pick them up once the ship leaves port and goes a certain distance. I figure it would cost about 20k per ship for maybe about a week of guard service, probably cheaper than increased insurance, and definitely cheaper than paying ransom
All nations be havin' a legitimate governmental interest in keepin' th' ocean shippin' channels free an' be havin' an absolute starboard t' avast this evil. Here be a legitimate opportunity t' assemble a “coalition o' allies”. All nations ortin' ta band together an' create a task force on sea an' land t' root ou' th' sea dogs an' assault both the'r ships an' the'r ports. Here many nations that be havin' “defense” forces could be havin' “live action” trainin' t' season the'r forces. Nations like Japan, Korea an' France be havin' very well drilled forces that could benefit from th' experience. If ever' nation sent a task force thar would be a combined strength strong enough wi' jacks an' marines t' handle th' job. Once th' sea dogs be eliminated an' the'r weapons destroyed, th' task o' “nation building” fer Somalia could be undertaken. Until then, 'tis extremely naive t' b'lieve in negotiatin' wi' pro'en criminals. Our forefathers had 't starboard, we ortin' ta follow the'r example.
Death by torture.
Yeah, let's take military action under another clueless democratic president and his cabinet. Didn't we already learn that lesson under the other much media loved Clinton and his geniuses in 1993? Can anyone say "Black Hawk Down?"
Since we know where the pirates' fancy mansions are, couldn't we threaten to blow them up if they interfere with our ships?
==============
==============
“violence isn’t th' long-term answer”.
That’s starboard! As soon as th' sea dogs reckon they’ll be blown ou' o' th' water, they’ll avast attackin' ships an' thar be nay more violence.
But nay until then. From the'r point o' view, they be havin' nay other reason t' avast.
Arm th' merchant marines wi' machine cannons permanently mounted t' th' rail an' locked by a key th' captain holds.
–faye kane, homeless brain.
Read more o' me smartbung hole opinions at http://tinyurl.com/fayescave
Ya lily livered bilge rat!
There is only one solution to this problem.You send Boppa to the shores of Somalia and let him go South Bronx New York crazy on them.Boppa is always well equipped to handle this kind of situation.He would probably send Velde to the front lines first though.BLAAAAAKKKKK to Boppa!........
Make them Walk the Plank....Arghhhhhhhh!
Instead o' destroyin' counterfeit currency, why don’t we store 't somewhere. Then when a hostage situation arises, Bundle 't up wi' an RFID trackin' chip. When these shipmates get th' treasure an' release th' hostage, drop a guided missile on them. Ye then destroy th' counterfeit treasure, theyshipmates sink t'Davy Jones' locker an' th' hostage be free.
Win-Win all around.
These pirates are already operating 300+ miles from shore on tiny boats powered with outboard motors. If they're not afraid of that, pointing a gun in their direction is not going to be much of a deterrent.
I agree that arming the crew, or adding a security detail to the ships might help things, but that becomes an amazingly complex problem. The ships can carry weapons in international waters, but there are huge number of rules and regulations pertaining to firearms in port and in territorial waters. Believe me, if this was a viable option, it would have been done already. Shipping companies have millions of $$ invested in their ships and cargo. If a $1000 rifle issued to each crewman would fix the problem, they'd have done it years ago.
The real answer is what's already being done–the same way you protect yourself from a drunk driver crashing into your car. It's called an insurance policy.
Piracy like this makes the news, but the reality is that hundreds of ships travel in those waters every day, and it's every once in a while that a ship is captured. This is not new. It's been happening for decades. It might sound unappealing to give ransom money to pirates, but it is a very cost effective solution.
Does anyone have an idea how much it costs to send just ONE Navy ship out there? It's a lot more than the cost of a ransom payment.
YO HO HO HO A SEAFARIN' HEARTYS LIFE FER ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The old song says it best:
"What should you do with a scurvy pirate? Make him walk the plank!"
That song has some historical basis to it because that is how piracy was handled back in the days when maritime travel was the only means of long range transportation and shipping. Piracy was not tolerated and pirates were dangerous, because they knew if they were captured, they were dead men. Today's pirates are total cowards and would give up the practice if they knew it meant certain immediate death if they were captured or spotted in international waters.
Lob a few shells from a warship into the ports they use as bases and offer ransoms for pirate leaders and warlords running this game for good measure. Yo ho ho!
I agree with Piratehater, and second this "Ninja Plan" because hey – who wouldn't like to see a Pirate vs. Ninja fight?
This be all Bill Clintons fault. All 't tookst be two black hawk helicopters an' we be ou' o' thar like th' place be on fire. If we had stuck 't ou' (we bein' th' UN, ye know th' US an' th' 6 troops that th' French sent) an' made sure that they had a stable government instead o' tribal/war lard rule this wouldna be happenin' now.
Good think we be nay jus' abandonin' Iraq.
Simple solution here. Spy planes and drones patrol the Somali coast. As soon as a pirate ship heads out to sea, attack it, sink it and leave the crew to die. After it is clear that piracy equals death, it will stop. Forget about the niceties of international marine law or the myth of Somali sovereignty. Send a clear message. I bet the Chinese and Russian navies would be happy to help us out on this one!
Shades o' Errol Flynn!!! He would be havin' fought them buckaroos! We ortin' ta be more protective o' our vessels an' international waters. Do what ye be havin' t' do t' protect th' ships an' crews. Armed be forewarned, or somethin' like that.
Pirates are HOT!
You cannot prevent piracy, because before they actually commit piracy, they are in international waters often times, which is in no violation, and no one has rights over.
Sick the RIAA on them. I heard they'll stop all pirates.
Merchant ships aren't allowed to arm themselves. I believe this is to prevent hostile nations from sending armed warships to sea and designating them 'merchants', leaving these armed ships free to enter a lot of coastal waterways and come in range of various civilian targets.
Instead, I think merchants are going to have to form an independent security organization, and hire units to ride along on these risky routes.
Although the force should really be multinational to prevent ties to certain nations, I think the first few groups should be made up of native Somalians. They need to be shown an alternative to piracy that will support them financially. I'm sure piracy won't disappear, it will still be far more personally profitable over a real job.
These men are criminals and should be dealt with accordingly.
Place highly trained and properly equipped security teams onboard when the ships enter the problem area.
When the pirates make their move take them out.
It will solve the problem.
I find 't hilarious that th' same swabbies actin' shocked that Somalis be havin' reverted t' savagery be from th' same country that tried t' “liberate” them from Italy in th' ’40s.
Nay much attention be bein' paid t' th' hostages in these articles. 't’s th' standard-issue, liberal, bleeding-heart nonsense 'ere excuses be made fer th' “poor, advantage-starved, black man” in Africa. Th' solution be simple: Armed escort. Ere tryin' t' threaten a ship be destroyed. Pretty soon thar won’t be any swashbucklers port.
But what do they do? Load up wi' non-lethal defensive weapons. lol As if Somalis be some endangered species they need t' save fer prosperity. Hilarious.
When someone lives in conditions so devastating that attacking a ship and hijacking it or taking hostages to obtain money to buy his/her way out is an option, guns onboard ships will not be a deterrant. This may be a form of suicide for the pirates but for many it is better than dying doing nothing.
I sympathize with companies losing their ships and with families in fear for their loved ones taken hostage facing death. I also understand the hopelessness of the Somalians prompting this action. I don't agree with this violence–I just understand it.
Why not set up some kind of weapon like a rocket , and blast them when they come too close. if they continue to recieve payment this will never stop . they need to be taught a life lesson!!! If you come too close you die...
If the US would simply end its addiction to oil (and narcotics), that would solve many world problems.
No one seems to have heard the person with REAl experience with this problem.
Slution 1: Solve piracy with genicide.
All the technical solutions cost money. Merchant seaman and women aren't wall street bankers. They are not getting rich. I will and should cost plenty of money to make them Royal navy marines trained to repel armed boarders. The Iraq security contractors get $250k or so. That would pay for at least five sailors.
Hegh tech cost money (lots of money).
And note. The priates don't announce their intentions to board. THis isn't the movies and a Jolly roger flying in the wind. They come a NIGHT. The merchant marine isn't a branch of the military. Its a job just like the trucking industry.
And how many priates will you have to kill before it stops. Prabablly every starving person in the country. Hey we're back to genicide.
Goerge Bush is no longer in the white house. You don't have to act stupid to be like the president.
Eight years of thug solution got us NO WHERE.
Fight fire wi' fire – hunt down th' hostages family members an' kidnap them an' hold them hostage — an' kill them if necessary. This be so pathetic. We will nerewin wi' our hands tied.
What swabbies also need t' know be that various countries ben usin' area t' dump chemical waste.
This has polluted th' Somali water, th' shoreland, decimatin' th' fishin' fer swabbies whose lives depend on that work.
Somalia’s strategic location also means that various countries want t' be seein' the'r matey rulin' that country, which leads t' a lot o' external manipulation, government topplin' an' intervention.
Unfortunately many Americans readin' these stories don’t be havin' any idee o' th' history, true political issues, etc. o' Somalia an' this region, so the'r comments be based on what shallow information they get from th' media an' heavy amounts o' the'r own ignorance/speculation.
Nay t' say that th' piratin' isn’t wrong, but that thar be more t' th' story than jus' ‘bad swabbies doin' bad things’
None of the comments are solving this problem. the solution to this problem is stabelize somalia as a acountry. We know Somalia doesn't have oil but to solve this problem UN must do something regarding creating new government and stop violation. With out stabelizing the country in the ground, there is no way to stop this pirates.
Sound like someone who can protect ships agains Pirates can start escorting them and make some $$$$$$... You know the sea cayotes .........
What about paying them with the same coin? I mean bombed their country to see if they like the treatment, no more mr. nice country. Diplomacy out, Retribution NOW!!!
'Tis unfortunate that these types o' activities be goin' on in a such dangerous world we be livin' an' I be wonderin' if thar be nay terorist hands usin' these moneys.
Typical American response– blow everybody up. If that worked, don't you think the shipping companies would be doing it? Get educated about how the piracy works and why arming the crew will not work. Then, come back with a real solution.
Duh... leds blowss thems up!!
Combat th' Swashbuckler wi' his worst enemy…….th' Ninja!
Dispatch a platoon o' Ninjas t' th' Somali coast an' be havin' them kill all o' them damn Swashbucklers!
Navy's first job is to keep open and free sealanes. Start patrolling this area and cracking down.
The crew would love some old school pirate hunting.