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US Warship Fires on Pirates!

Brenda

Brenda

Landlubber
I caught the last bit of a short news report that stated a US Navy warship had fired on pirates that had just seized a Dutch cargo ship. I am guessing it was in the Persian Gulf since we have 2 or 3 battlesgroups there, but it could be anywhere our navy is operating- perhaps even the Barbary Coast again. It just proves that pirates are still a very real threat to international shipping; especially since no one is really looking for them. Until now!
 
Arrr! <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/icon_mrgreen1.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":cheeky" border="0" alt="icon_mrgreen1.gif" /> Dem pyrates be op'ratin' off'n Somalia in dis here case, Mary! <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/pirate3.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p2" border="0" alt="pirate3.gif" />
 
I couldn't find any articles about a recent pirate attack, though I found this article about US Navy warships battling pirates off the coast of Somalia on March 19, 2006. Maybe dis be what Fred Bob be refferin' too. No doubt pirates are alive and well out there. Arrrrr. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/urgh.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":urgh" border="0" alt="urgh.gif" />


<a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11233378/" target="_blank">http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11233378/</a>
 
<b>U.S. Warship Fires Warning Shots Over Vessel Boarded by Pirates Off Somali Coast</b>
Tuesday, June 05, 2007

<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->The U.S. Navy has fired warning shots across the bow of a Dutch ship that has been boarded by armed pirates off the coast of Somalia, FOX News has learned.

The USS Carter Hall also fired on three small boats that surrounded the commercial ship, the "Danica White," after her crew messaged for assistance after being boarded by pirates, the Navy said.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Here's a Somali War Canoe:
<img src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a144/b4lazarus/SomaliWarCanoe.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
 
There's the good ol' US Navy upholding its traditions since the days of <i>Old Ironsides</i> off Tripoli! <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile2.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":))" border="0" alt="smile2.gif" />
 
woo! go pirates! <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/danse1.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":dance" border="0" alt="danse1.gif" /> just lay off the dutch ships. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/icon_wink.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=";)" border="0" alt="icon_wink.gif" />
 
<!--quoteo(post=201303:date=Jun 11 2007, 04:23 AM:name=Lazarus)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Lazarus @ Jun 11 2007, 04:23 AM) [snapback]201303[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec--><b>U.S. Warship Fires Warning Shots Over Vessel Boarded by Pirates Off Somali Coast</b>
Tuesday, June 05, 2007

<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->The U.S. Navy has fired warning shots across the bow of a Dutch ship that has been boarded by armed pirates off the coast of Somalia, FOX News has learned.

The USS Carter Hall also fired on three small boats that surrounded the commercial ship, the "Danica White," after her crew messaged for assistance after being boarded by pirates, the Navy said.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Here's a Somali War Canoe:
<img src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a144/b4lazarus/SomaliWarCanoe.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

What level do you think the captain is if he's using this ship? I bet his officer there must be pretty high to be using that rocket launcher lol. I bet these guys are going for the title Terror of the high seas but juding by the look of them I'd say unknown freebooter lol
 
These are the Somali "Pirates" that are spoken of in this story...

They are NOT Pirates in the true sense of the word. The Captain has no better ranking than the guy with the RPG.

They are raiders at best, and more like the Indians in Sid's game.

These "pirates" are funded by al qaeda, and the Somali warlords, so they currently are very low budget.
 
<!--quoteo(post=201426:date=Jun 11 2007, 06:17 PM:name=Lazarus)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Lazarus @ Jun 11 2007, 06:17 PM) [snapback]201426[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->These "pirates" are funded by al qaeda, and the Somali warlords, so they currently are very low budget.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->"al qaeda" and "low bugdet" in the same sentence

3 points for Laz
 
I know the east coast of Africa from the Persian Gulf to Cape Horn is notorious for pirate activity, especially off Somali. Last year, a cruise ship was attacked by pirates off the coast of Madagasgar. It had a unique weapon that it used against the pirates- a hyper-sonic gun. The intense noise produced by the gun (it looks like a small radar dish) actually worked and repelled the attackers before they could board.

And true, they are not pirates in the classical sense of the word, but then I don't think there are any Blackbeard or Kidd archtypes operating today. They are, however, very similar to the pirates the US Navy fought on the Barbary Coast back in the early 19th century. Because no one is really hunting them, they seem to be able to operate with almost impunity.
 
The Barbary Pirates, while Muslim renegades, were mostly privateers, outfitted by wealthy backers who were in it for a percentage of the take.

This version of the Barbery Pirates, which is a good analogy, are less fortunate, having backing primarily by terrorists, who for the most part are in hiding or on the run.

This group is not as well organized as in the past. When it (privateering) becomes more profitable again, they will be better funded and organized.
 
Here's a Somali War Canoe:
<img src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a144/b4lazarus/SomaliWarCanoe.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
[/quote]

I wonder who`s the capten? <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/keith.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":keith" border="0" alt="keith.gif" />
 
<!--quoteo(post=202035:date=Jun 14 2007, 02:41 PM:name=Mazz)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Mazz @ Jun 14 2007, 02:41 PM) [snapback]202035[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I wonder who`s the capten? <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/keith.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":keith" border="0" alt="keith.gif" /><!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->the one with the brandy.
 
by the by.. we (almost) all are fanatics about pirates and even say we ARE pirates lol.. but, look what happens in real life.. there is still pirates and, do you really want to be like them? seriously, I don't think that actual CRIMINALS aren't the same as the good old PIRATES we know. If you were, back then in the 15-16 century, would we REALLY like to be pirates, like we say we are now? if we say yes, then why not become criminals?? something I thought of.. but I say " HELL YEA I WILL BE A PIRATE" lol..
 
<!--quoteo(post=228320:date=Dec 29 2007, 08:34 AM:name=James IronHook)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(James IronHook @ Dec 29 2007, 08:34 AM) [snapback]228320[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->by the by.. we (almost) all are fanatics about pirates and even say we ARE pirates lol.. but, look what happens in real life.. there is still pirates and, do you really want to be like them? seriously, I don't think that actual CRIMINALS aren't the same as the good old PIRATES we know. If you were, back then in the 15-16 century, would we REALLY like to be pirates, like we say we are now? if we say yes, then why not become criminals?? something I thought of.. but I say " HELL YEA I WILL BE A PIRATE" lol..<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Yea ...let's put on kevelar vest and then put Pirate clothes/stuff on it (head bandage, captains coat, tricorne hat, or else related to this) and then we have to take a weapon and its not cutlass (ARGH! <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/urgh.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":urgh" border="0" alt="urgh.gif" />) and the weapon what i would take is Minigun! <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/piratesing.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":shock" border="0" alt="piratesing.gif" />
 
You know what I've wondered about? What if someone managed to get their hands on a vessel of suitable size, equip it and the crew with weapons, and then go to a government offering their services... would today's world accept privateering?
 
"Privateers" of today operate out of "security contracting" companies. The now infamous Blackwater group working with/for U.S. military in Iraq are a perfect example. (From what I hear, you don't really want their job. They're always in trouble for shooting back every time they get attacked by suicide bombers in Iraqi Police uniforms.) I suppose such groups are hired for seagoing operations, but probably more by private shipping operations than by governments. Often seagoing security is composed more of stationing security on their ship (or port facility) rather than operating your own ... many cruise ships and the like contract with other companies for trained security guards.

Also, bail bondsmen and bounty hunters still legally carry out private contracts and/or collect government bounties on certain individuals... private investigators and bodyguards are often well-paid ... privateering is not dead. Just that boats are no longer so popular, so there's not so much work at sea.

-----------------

Pirates of the Spanish Main had pretty much the same reputation as a street gang that carries out six carjackings and a drive-by shooting per week. Despite being impressed by their efficiency, most people hate and fear them (in roughly equal measure). Even people who normally avoid the cops are generally happy to see a strong police presence when a group like that is on the prowl. Similarly, at that time, suddenly the Spanish navy became the lesser of two evils.

On that note, the line between pirates and privateers was often fuzzy. That complicated the issue by a bit.
 
the thing is that some pirates, like charles vane, took the wise dicision of going from pirate to privateer. they where basically still pirates, except that they now had several safe ports of call. they where no longer fully outlawed. now that's a life that would suit me just fine.
 
Exactly my thought Morgan. I would obtain a vessel large enough to make ocean crossings and outfit it with guns. Now, I know that you can't just go and buy a 5" turret... not even in the weapons deals on the black market... but you could probably get your hands on .20mm guns and .30/.50 cals, so your rails would be bristling. In addition, your crew could be outfitted with sufficient weapons to make quick and lethal boardings.

Now wouldn't that be interesting... a liner or merchant is being boarded by pirates, when suddenly an old decommissioned destroyer lays alongside and the pirates are boarded. The liner is saved and the destroyer takes the pirate in tow to a friendly port!
 
well, i'd feel a bit self-conflicted in those situations, as half my heart longs for being those pirates if not for me, yet i know that the route i had chosen would give a better chance of survival.
 
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