U.S. Navy Forms Pirate Defense Force in Gulf of Aden

[LauraS]

Cruise Critic has just posted the following news:

U.S. Navy Forms Pirate Defense Force in Gulf of Aden

Read the entire news article...

[TravelerThom]

According to the article "the force does not, however, have the authority to strike at pirate vessels out to sea or pirate bases ashore".
So what are they going to do? Threaten to tattle on the pirates to their Mommies? Something doesn't add up here.

[lightonthebay]

I think the US will violate the rules and take a spanking from Somalia. Or they will locate the pirates, corral them and allow non-treaty nations to deliver the smack down! I think a US force will be long overdue reckoning for these pirates because of the intense training and technology the US military posses (money).

[bajaed69]

We mwere on the Star Clipper from Athens and got off at Goa , India. We picked an US navy escourt after we came out of the Suz cannel left us after we headed in to Oman. Here are a couple of pics.

Ed

[deepnite10]

i don t think any US warship would fire on pirate vessel if it
was attacking a US flag ship..

but, would likely try to get between suspected pirate ship s
..and if fired on would sink the vessel..

[wilfros]

What happened to the lessons learned during WW2? The pirates are nothing when compared to the U-boats!

With Satelites we are now able to establish what are called "Way points" anywhere in the world, including the oceans. Why not set up Way points in the Indian Ocean and just past the Canal? Ships could converge and gather at these points then be escorted in a convoy by the Navy on specific dates. It would be productive, money saving, and give the Navy a clear mission and reason for being there.

As I see it, they are now just roaming the sea waiting for something to happen, and by the time they hear about something it is already too late.

If they (the Navy) escort a convoy, then they are immediately on the scene should anything happen and most likely deter the pirates just by being present.

All it would mean is that the ships waiting at the way points may have to wait a few days until the next flotilla. But that is nothing considering the alternative.

Seems like a no-brainer to me. We learn from our mistakes, can we not also learn from our successes?

[Steamboatin]

Originally Posted by wilfros

What happened to the lessons learned during WW2? The pirates are nothing when compared to the U-boats!

With Satelites we are now able to establish what are called "Way points" anywhere in the world, including the oceans. Why not set up Way points in the Indian Ocean and just past the Canal? Ships could converge and gather at these points then be escorted in a convoy by the Navy on specific dates. It would be productive, money saving, and give the Navy a clear mission and reason for being there.

As I see it, they are now just roaming the sea waiting for something to happen, and by the time they hear about something it is already too late.

If they (the Navy) escort a convoy, then they are immediately on the scene should anything happen and most likely deter the pirates just by being present.

All it would mean is that the ships waiting at the way points may have to wait a few days until the next flotilla. But that is nothing considering the alternative.

Seems like a no-brainer to me. We learn from our mistakes, can we not also learn from our successes?

I have been telling people I have been speaking to the same thing. You and I are thinking alike on this matter.

However, I see a problem in doing what you and I are recommending.

It is cold hard cash.

For the shipping industry it is CHEAPER to pay the ransom than to have their vessel(s) sit idle for several days waiting for the convoy to form and move.

The shippers can always hire new crew but cannot replace lost income.

This is my thoughts on the matter.

[Cuizer2]

Originally Posted by lightonthebay

I think the US will violate the rules and take a spanking from Somalia. Or they will locate the pirates, corral them and allow non-treaty nations to deliver the smack down!

The "spanking" would come from the US, not Somalia. The "rules" are orders from the US chain of command. These orders, if violated, could result in jail time for the ship's captain.

Unlike the Pirates of the Caribbean, these "rules" are not just a suggestion or a guideline, they are very real orders with very real consequences if disobeyed.

[deepnite10]

then i guess there s no real reason for the pirates to stop attacking
ship s..

it seems in the world now that all the politician s are a bunch of
girly guy s..whatever happen d to old fashion law of the seas..catch
a pirate, you hang them..simple and it sure will be a stronger message
to those low lifes than just using stern language..

the head honcho of the pirates *whoever he is*..has already said they ll
go after US shipping and be more willing to kill American seaman..does nt
the mean a state of war?

[Cuizer2]

Originally Posted by deepnite10

then i guess there s no real reason for the pirates to stop attacking
ship s..

it seems in the world now that all the politician s are a bunch of
girly guy s..whatever happen d to old fashion law of the seas..catch
a pirate, you hang them..simple and it sure will be a stronger message
to those low lifes than just using stern language..

the head honcho of the pirates *whoever he is*..has already said they ll
go after US shipping and be more willing to kill American seaman..does nt
the mean a state of war?

NATO forces have helped fend off several attacks in recent days, but have released the culprits because they had no jurisdiction to arrest them. In some cases, neither the pirates nor their targets were nationals of NATO countries.

In Washington, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Dutch Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen met Monday and said they will seek authority for NATO to arrest pirates.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090420/ap_on_re_af/piracy

The situation is a little more complicated than you seem to believe.