Breaking CBS News Radio: Americans Retake their Ship

[RamboLiberal]

Source: CBS Radio News/KDKA Pittsburgh Radio/Yahoo News

Just heard. No link yet. American crew has retaken the ship. Threw 3 pirates overboard. Have 1 in custody.

On Edit posting the story:

WASHINGTON – The Pentagon says it appears the American crew of a hijacked ship has regained control of the vessel.

Pentagon sources spoke on condiiton of anonymity because informatiomn was still preliminary. But sources say the hijacked crew apparently contacted the private shipping company they work for.

The shipping company, Maersk, has scheduled a noon press conference in Norfolk, Va.



Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090408/ap_on_re_af/piracy

---

Guess we'll know soon enough. Hope they have retaken the ship.

[Renew Deal]

1. I hope this is true.

:bounce:

[tomm2thumbs]

12. cool news

[DS1]

2. Throw the 4th overboard

[Hassin Bin Sober]

79. Keelhaul him!

[Xithras]

115. Lol, you'd need a lot of rope to keelhaul someone on a modern ship.

Most modern ships are also kept fairly barnacle free, so it wouldn't do much damage anyway.

Better to just toss them overboard.

[Thor_MN]

121. Depends on how fast you pull the rope

I think work needs to be done on the situations that cause piracy to be seen as a viable existence, but I think taking an old ship with a hidden cargo of whup-ass (fully armed military) through these waters might not be a bad thing.

[annabanana]

3. Now THAT would be a good story...

(waiting for confirmation)

note on edit:
I think I read somewhere that piracy is the main source of income for Somalia . . .

Now THERE'S a situation where I hear Rachel's voice in my ear:
"What could possibly go wrong?"

[rateyes]

4. Good.

[grannie4peace]

5. f yea!

[Scurrilous]

6. Good news!

:thumbsup:

[DavidDvorkin]

7. Betcha studios are already vying for the rights to the TV movie.

[Solly Mack]

8. Good

[Webster Green]

9. Wow, those pirates fucked with the wrong crew..

Sounds like an example of instant karma. :smoke:

[rcrush]

10. Say what?

Who the hell was on that ship?

[sofa king]

54. They might have had some, uh, help.

If the crew were able to contact their employer Maersk, and that employer was able to contact their employer, the DoD, well, the DoD might have some guys around who practice boarding ships undetected and helping the pirates overboard.

They might even be willing to give the credit to the crew, rather than advertise their covert operations.

[eppur_se_muova]

55. My guess was the crew were planted -- this sounds like a set-up. nt

[Marrah_G]

74. I don't think so- otherwise 3 would not have been thrown overboard

They would have been taken into custody.

[eppur_se_muova]

104. Good point. nt

[Posteritatis]

109. Only about one in three attacks are actually successful

It's not hard to believe that one of the pirate crews just screwed up badly - especially alongside the fact that merchant crews in the area are probably starting to get a little twitchy.

[rcrush]

60. I'll believe that

Its a lot easier to believe than the "hostages overtake their captors" story. Not when the media or the government is telling the story.

[Mike Daniels]

66. Regardless of whether it was a set up the end result (capture) was justified and is good

Given that the UN considers the pirate's actions to be against international law it's obvious they aren't buying the justifications the pirates give for their actions.

[Xithras]

68. It's not the reach you might think

Most crews are fairly docile and it's pretty well known that the Somali's treat their captors reasonably well. The pirates are looking for money, not military confrontation, and they know that killing hostages isn't a great idea. Some of the stories from freed captives even describe their captors setting them up in homes with no guards outside (they were white guys in coastal friggin Somalia...where were they going to go?) The shipping companies know this, and they teach their crews to be docile and to not fight back.

It's entirely possible that the Somali's were simply expecting this crew to be as docile as the rest, which gave the crew the advantage of suprise. If there were only four armed pirates onboard the ship, it wouldn't have taken much to overcome them (crewing a ship is a very physical job, and sailors are generally in good shape).

Could it have been SEALS? Sure, but I'm not such a pessimist that I'm just going to write off the possibility that the crew did it themselves.

Also, don't forget about that Saudi oil tanker a while back. It was freed by the pirates and then retaken a few hours later. You can bet that every pirate in range is climbing into his speedboat right about now. Just because the crew took it back doesn't mean they can keep it.

[Stuckinthebush]

63. Jack Bauer

Had to be.

:)

[Webster Green]

11. Deleted dupe

:wtf:

[Tempest]

13. What were American sailors doing on a privately held cargo ship in the first place?

Are we now farming our Navy out as security guards?

[Barack_America]

16. Not military.

The crew was American.

[smoogatz]

It's likely that the ship's officers are products of the Merchant Marine Academy

Which is kind of a pseudo-military training school for merchant ship's captains. There's apparently some crossover between the Merchant Marine and the Navy, too--which makes perfect sense.

[cali]

44. just heard that the captain and first mate were graduates of

The MA Maritime Academy on Cape Cod. I don't think it has anything to do with the MM.

[smoogatz]

49. Beats me.

Go Cape Cod!

[SoxFan]

53. Mass Maritime is a public, quasi-military college

Graduates are eligible for a naval commission, if I remember correctly.

[DS1]

82. but their football team sucks!

:D

[Marrah_G]

75. New england sailors are a tough bunch !

[TexasProgresive]

17. I think they are using the word sailor as a generic term

for someone who crews a ship- not as a member of the U.S. Navy or any other country's navy.

[AnneD]

83. Seamen is a generic term......

You say sailor you think of Navy, you say seaman, you think of something else:evilgrin:

[TexasProgresive]

89. Well I crewed on a sloop rigged sailboat

and was a sailor. I can understand that you think the way you do but I am also fully aware that often facts sometimes are in opposition to our thinking (from personal experience). All enlisted Navy personnel are sailors but not all sailors are Navy.

Main Entry:
sail·or Listen to the pronunciation of sailor
Pronunciation:
\ˈsā-lər\
Function:
noun
Etymology:
alteration of sailer
Date:
1577

1 a: one that sails ; especially : mariner b (1): a member of a ship's crew (2): seaman 2b2: a traveler by water3: a stiff straw hat with a low flat crown and straight circular brim

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sailor

[AnneD]

108. If you have to explain it-it's not funny.

Puns are wasted on zealots...sigh

[TexasProgresive]

116. I got the pun OK

just didn't let it distract me.

[cali]

18. why shouldn't American Sailors be on a privately held cargo ship?

Oh, never mind, I see you believe that all sailors who are Americans are members of the U.S armed forces.

:rofl:

[Renew Deal]

19. Sailor does not mean military.

sail⋅or   /ˈseɪlər/ Show Spelled Pronunciation Show IPA
–noun
1. a person whose occupation is sailing or navigation; mariner.
2. a seaman below the rank of officer.
3. a naval enlistee.
4. a person adept at sailing, esp. with reference to freedom from seasickness: He was such a bad sailor that he always traveled to Europe by plane.
5. a flat-brimmed straw hat with a low, flat crown.

[Marrah_G]

20. They were not military sailors.

[jberryhill]

35. "Sailors" = "People who sail ships"

Ummm... ships are not generally operated by jockeys, motorists, cyclists, or drivers.

They are typically staffed by people who are called "sailors".

That said, many civilian sailors do have certain types of paramilitary and/or security training.

[Posteritatis]

113. Wow. (nt)

[tridim]

14. Arrrrr make em walk the plank matey.

[havocmom]

27. Keelhaul them!

Then, if they are still able to walk, give them a plank for the stroll

[FailureToCommunicate]

38. ...and cast Keira Knightley or Naomie Harris as the love interest.

[Barack_America]

15. Wow.

Good for them.

[bigworld]

21. Fuck yeah!

And I don't say that lightly.

[FudaFuda]

67. America, Fuck Yeah! nt

[smoogatz]

22. Love it.

Great story--hope it's true.

[liberal N proud]

23. Sounds like a movie

Bruce Willis takes the lead and overthrows the pirates just as authorities arrive.

[RamboLiberal]

24. Wondering why its taking so long to confirm this story

Hope CBS Radio News wasn't jumping the gun. I did hear them report it as I posted it.

[Lasher]

25. I was wondering too.

Nothing at all on the internets so far. Think I'll go check it out on the TV. I'll report back if I see anything.

Edit: Just saw it on MSNBC at about 11:55 Eastern. US crew may be back in control. Congrats on bringing this hot scoop to DU. You rule!

:fistbump:

[Barack_America]

30. AP is also reporting it, but it's still not confirmed. nt

[eppur_se_muova]

58. BBC cites "Pentagon sources", no other details. nt

[guitar man]

26. Haha!!

Send 'em to Davey Jones Locker!! :D

[Q3JR4]

28. But but but, the

pirates are combating global warming!

See this graph?



It's scientific proof and not, as so much "science" is these days, made up by some guy.


Q3JR4.

[ShareTheWoods]

29. Hot damn!

They really tossed them overboard?

[bigworld]

31. Keep in mind that this is over 300 miles from shore

Those pirates are toast!

[ShareTheWoods]

56. I was thinking chub

but wet toast will do just fine.

[Lasher]

57. Maybe not.

They typically use speedboats supported by a mother ship, so they might have been picked up by fellow pirates.

[Adelante]

32. YAY

Good for our salts :)

[Scurrilous]

33. US crew may be back in control of hijacked ship

<snip>

"Pentagon officials believe the American crew is back in control of hijacked ship. Somali pirates on Wednesday hijacked a U.S.-flagged cargo ship with 20 American crew members onboard, hundreds of miles from the nearest American military vessel in some of the most dangerous waters in the world.

The 17,000-ton Maersk Alabama was carrying emergency relief to Mombasa, Kenya, when it was hijacked, said Peter Beck-Bang, spokesman for the Copenhagen-based container shipping group A.P. Moller-Maersk. It was the sixth ship seized within a week, a rise that analysts attribute to a new strategy by Somali pirates who are operating far from the warships patrolling the Gulf of Aden.

The company confirmed that the U.S.-flagged vessel has 20 U.S. nationals onboard."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090408/ap_on_re_af/piracy

[RamboLiberal]

Thanks for posting the link

Was making me nuts I couldn't confirm the story after hearing it on the radio.

[bigworld]

43. LIVE news conference going on now

http://www.wavy.com/generic/news/WAVY_Newscast_Live_Stream

from Maersk, the shipping line.

[thewiseguy]

34. I am afraid this report is bogus

I see no confirmation of it. Been 40 minutes and no independent confirmation?

[jberryhill]

37. Consider the logistics of independent confirmation /nt

[RamboLiberal]

39. See link that was posted

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090408/ap_on_re_af/piracy

[Bombero1956]

36. who was on the crew?

Steven Seagal, Jean-Claude van Damme, Vin Diesel, Chuck Norris and others? Don't get me wrong good news if its true.

[Mike Daniels]

46. At least 20 crew against a handful of pirates (reports say 4)

It's not inconceivable that a ship could be retaken.

Factoring in that most, if not all, the ships have been taken by pirates without incident it's possible the pirates let their guard down figuring that the crew wouldn't fight back.

[Mike Daniels]

40. If true, that's bad news for someone (pirates or sailors) down the road

If it's proven that the American crew did retake the ship I see several things happening:

Other crews fighting back against boarding attempts knowing that it's possible.

In the attempt to repulse the attack one or several merchant seaman get injured or killed.

Once it shown that the pirates will use lethal violence to take these ships there's going to be increased desire for severe military action against those harboring the pirates and then who knows what happens from there.

[slackmaster]

42. I am in favor of arming merchant vessels that go into pirate territory

Kill the bastards off.

[Xithras]

76. There are complications there

Technically there is no international law prohibiting merchants from being armed, but the problem is one of practicality. Many nations prohibit individuals from owning or posessing any kind of firearm, or limit caliber, capacity, etc. These cargo ships are crewed by civilians, who are subject to the laws of any nation they sail into.

About 20 years ago my wifes uncle (an avid sailor) sailed into Jamaica. Like many sailors, he had a small rifle on board. The problem? Civilians in posession of firearms face serious jail time in Jamaica. When he moored his boat, the customs guy walked out and spotted the rifle while doing a customs inspection on his boat. He ended up spending two months in jail before his lawyer got him off. That sounds bad, but he got off easy...people have spent years in Jamaican prisons for the same thing. They take it very seriously.

Merchant ships are subject to the same sorts of laws and regulations. Any merchant ship carrying firearms will immediately find itself in violation of the laws in about half the countries in this world. Even those that don't ban them typically require that the firearms be checked into customs while in port...and checking the firearms in and out is a huge pain in the rear. Ship captains have better things to do.

[smoogatz]

51. Bad news for pirates is okay with me.

I know a lot of them have turned to piracy because the coastal fisheries there are played out, but still, it's the sort of thing one wants to discourage. If merchant crews are armed and trained to resist piracy, things may escalate or not--but it's the next logical step in the progression, seems to me.

[Mike Daniels]

62. Oh, I'm definitely not concerned for the pirates

esp. since my dad is a career merchant sea-man.

Since the UN has basically said there are no territorial waters for Somalia re: the piracy matter I'm not sure why there hasn't been an international effort to cruise the shoreline and bottle up the areas where the pirates have been storehousing their prizes.

[smoogatz]

64. I think there has, but it doesn't seem to be working.

It's millions of square miles of ocean, evidently, but still--you'd think with air support you could dismantle the whole business in about a week. Isn't this sort of thing the reason we have a navy in the first place?

[Mike Daniels]

69. I understand the territorial difficulties in terms of geographic area

but I'd think satellites could ID the areas where the prizes are being held esp. since we're talking cargo carriers and tankers which aren't that small. Once the major points are ID'd I'd think coverage could easily be a little more focused on those areas.

Just my musings.

[smoogatz]

71. Makes sense to me.

I guess the central assumption is that there's satellite coverage of the area; maybe there isn't.

[slackmaster]

61. Fighting back is almost always better than cooperating with hijackers

Fight back early, hard, and often.

[slackmaster]

41. I hope they made the fuckers walk the plank

Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

[Lasher]

45. Pentagon: U.S. crew back in control of hijacked ship

(NECN/ABC) - Pentagon officials say the U.S. crew is back in control of a hijacked ship.

The 17,000 ton cargo freighter, called Maersk Alabama, was the sixth ship to be seized by Somali pirates in just the last week.

http://www.necn.com/Boston/World/2009/04/08/Pentagon-US-crew-back-in/1239206102.html

***

Report: Crew Of Hijacked Vessel Overpowers Pirates, Back In Control

Wednesday, Apr 8, 2009 @10:52am CST

(Washington, DC) -- There may be a resolution to the hijacking of a U.S.-flagged cargo ship off the coast of Somalia.

CBS News cites two military sources as saying the crew of the Maersk Alabama has overpowered the pirates who boarded their ship and is now back in control of the vessel.

According to the report, one pirate was captured and three more were thrown overboard.

http://mystateline.com/content/fulltext/?cid=58722

[stubtoe]

47. Haaaaaaarrrrrrhhhhh!

USA 1, Pirates 0

[Javaman]

48. Hot damn!

It's weird but I feel proud again. It's a strange feeling, I haven't felt it in such a long time.

Good show, guys!

[Barack_America]

50. So the shipping company is giving a press conference...

...and they don't seem to know that the crew has reclaimed the ship.

Yet the Pentagon has confirmed that the ship has been reclaimed.

Odd.

[-..__...]

52. It would have ended much sooner..

if Casey Ryback was on board.

[Agent William]

59. Is anyone else reminded of the Life Aquatic?

that scene where they retake there ship?

Or is it just me.

:hi:

[cali]

65. Captain of the ship, Richard Phillips, is a Vermonter. That should upset the freeps

If only he was gay. I'd really love that.

[junior college]

70. The pirates are simply trying to survive

Back on the mainland their people are suffering. A lot of these ships pass through their waters and refuse to pay passage fees or use Somali port services. There is a lot more here than meets the eye.

[cali]

72. oh fucking please. I knew it was only a matter of time before someone

showed up to defend the poor pirates. And you provided exactly zero evidence for your claim about passage fees. Furthermore, why the fuck would any cargo ship use Somali port services? Oh, and this ship was hundreds of miles off the Somali coast.

Fuck the pirates.

[Mike Daniels]

73. Thank you for that.

Jesus. It's only a matter of time before someone gets hurt in one of these actions and I'm sure there will still be people trying to justify the actions of the pirates even then.

Seriously, if the UN considers these acts to be against international law then it's probably safe to say that the UN isn't buying the justifications either.

[junior college]

81. I stand behind the pirates

Here is a little background on why they are forced to take action against rogue merchant marine ships...

"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. Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, the UN envoy to Somalia, tells me: "Somebody is dumping nuclear material here. There is also lead, and heavy metals such as cadmium and mercury - you name it." Much of it can be traced back to European hospitals and factories, who seem to be passing it on to the Italian mafia to "dispose" of cheaply. When I asked Ould-Abdallah what European governments were doing about it, he said with a sigh: "Nothing. There has been no clean-up, no compensation, and no prevention."

At the same time, other European ships have been looting Somalia's seas of their greatest resource: seafood. We have destroyed our own fish-stocks by over-exploitation - and now we have moved on to theirs. More than $300m worth of tuna, shrimp, lobster and other sea-life is being stolen every year by vast trawlers illegally sailing into Somalia's unprotected seas. The local fishermen have suddenly lost their livelihoods, and they are starving. Mohammed Hussein, a fisherman in the town of Marka 100km south of Mogadishu, told Reuters: "If nothing is done, there soon won't be much fish left in our coastal waters."

This is the context in which the men we are calling "pirates" have emerged. Everyone agrees they were ordinary Somalian fishermen who at first took speedboats to try to dissuade the dumpers and trawlers, or at least wage a 'tax' on them. They call themselves the Volunteer Coastguard of Somalia - and it's not hard to see why."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/johann-hari/you-are-being-lied-to-abo_b_155147.html

[Xithras]

87. Which still in no way justifies what they're doing.

If these pirates were attacking the ships illegally dumping off their coast, I'd understand and stand behind them too. If these armed boats were chasing off fishing trawlers illegally using Somali waters, I'd have no problem with them.

But they're not. Instead, they're shooting and firing grenades at innocent people who have NOTHING TO DO with the criminals abusing Somalia's lack of government. They're imprisoning innocent people, sometimes for months on end, to extract money out of companies that had nothing to do with the crimes they are complaining about. If the Somali's were really as concerned about dumping and overfishing as they claim to be, they'd be using those weapons and boats to patrol their coast for criminals. You'll notice that they're not doing so...they're more interested in big cash payoffs.

There is no justification for attacking innocent, unarmed, law abiding people in international waters. None.

[npk]

91. Self Delete

wrong spot.

[npk]

92. Dupe

Sorry I am screwed up today.

[Mike Daniels]

88. Yet, very few of the ships in question seem to be guilty of either practice in your post

Most of the ships being captured are cargo ships carrying oil, ore or containers.

The pirates aren't capturing medical supply/garbage ships or trawlers which if not justifiable would be understandable. Instead, they're going after ships that will produce the most income for them at the least risk regardless of their connection to their complaints

So, it's not really about revenge but extortion and illegal profit which makes them no better than the pirates of the 17th through 19th centuries.

[Lasher]

90. The men we are calling "pirates"

Dumbest post I have ever seen, dumber than an actual post you build fences with, complete with euphemism to make it appear their piracy is something else:

Volunteer Coastguard of Somalia

:rofl:

[Posteritatis]

112. A few of the larger gangs actually give themselves names like that

Not sure who they're fooling (other than that guy in this thread), but..

[Dreamer Tatum]

111. And they're using the ransoms to improve life for ALL Somalis, I'm sure

Give me a freaking break. They do most of their "protecting" in international waters, hundreds of miles offshore.

[auburnblu]

119. You must be correct

Their mission is noble. I consider them to be high seas adventurers. Clearly they are stopping greedy people from sailing through and polluting the seas. Also as soon as they dock from an adventure they immediately distribute their valued cargo found during their trip to the citizens of Somalia.

[Mike Daniels]

129. Damn, that's laughable

Do some research. Most of the ransom goes to the warlords overseeing these operation and their supporters. These guys aren't fuckin' Robin Hoods no matter how much you want to believe that fantasy.

[Marrah_G]

125. Bullshit- These are guys paid by vicious warlords who then pocket the money

They money doesn't go to the people and non e of these guys are pirating for the good of their country.

I bet you would have no problem with the Latin Kings barging into your home, holding your family at gunpoint for ransom....because after all....they are poor and kept down by the Man....right?

[Codeine]

77. Junior College indeed. nt

[Marrah_G]

78. So should the gang down the street be able to bust into your house

Hold you and your family for ransom while they sack the house and take all your things? Maybe beat up a few of your family member for fun?

That's okay right? Because they are just trying to survive...........


Sorry the millions of dollars do not go to the people of somalia....they go to oppressive, vicious, evil warlords.

[Xithras]

80. And at least 3 of them failed miserably

And since when does any nation have the right to demand that ships pay passage fees for traversing international waters? And the port services argument is just stupid...ships get serviced at the ports of departure and arrival, they don't just stop for gas on the way. Are you seriously saying that internationally flagged ships should be required to stop in the ports of every country they pass, just to help their economies?

[Renew Deal]

85. I knew this comment was coming sooner or later.

Since when do you have to pay fees to sail on open water 300 miles from land? Since when is it acceptable to steal? Since when was it acceptable to take hostages?

[friendly_iconoclast]

122. You misspelled "protection racket" in your post

Hope this helps.

[christx30]

123. And some people

that rob liquor stores are poor. Does that mean that we should defend them too?

[MellowDem]

84. "USA USA USA!"

For once, I don't feel ashamed chanting it!

:patriot:

[damntexdem]

86. LIke Flight 93; but a ship doesn't crash to earth and create a big hole.

The truly effective response to piracy or terrorism -- like the immune system of the body.

[RamboLiberal]

93. Captain of Pirated U.S. Ship Still Held Hostage, Negotiations Ongoing AP Reports

Breaking news headline on ABC News Website. http://abcnews.go.com/

[npk]

94. Thank you I was trying to ask that as well.

I have heard that on TV the last few minutes.

[Renew Deal]

97. By who?

On the boat or elsewhere?

[cali]

98. yes, on the ship

hope Captain Phillips is OK and returns home safely.

[Renew Deal]

99. So there are still pirates on the ship?

Sucks

[cali]

101. the pirates are holding him on a lifeboat.

[Renew Deal]

106. That's not good.

[BeyondGeography]

95. U.S. crew regains control of ship hijacked by Somalia pirates

Source: L.A. Times

Reporting from Nairobi, Kenya -- The first pirate attack in more than 200 years against an American-flagged vessel off Africa didn't last very long.

This morning, a U.S.-registered cargo ship -- which routinely works under contract to the Defense Department -- and its all-American crew were hijacked by pirates off Somalia as it was transporting humanitarian aid to African nations.

Less than 12 hours later, the 20-member crew -- which was unarmed, according to the ship's owner -- managed to overpower the pirates and regain control, according to U.S. officials.

The dramatic turnaround is the latest chapter in the growing piracy crisis off Somalia, which has lacked a functioning government since 1991.

"The crew has taken back control of the ship," said a U.S. defense official speaking on the condition of anonymity. "There is still one pirate aboard."


According to the official, at least four pirates seized control of the ship, and the fate of other three pirates was unclear. They may have tried to flee in their own vessel, the official said. Another report by the Associated Press said the foiled pirates were "in the water."


Read more: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-somalia-pirates9-2009apr09,0,5382232.story

[Psephos]

96. Feed them to the sharks n/t

[elleng]

100. 'The Cape Cod Times reported

on its Web site Wednesday that both the chief officer — Capt. Shane Murphy, 34 — and the captain of the vessel — Capt. Richard Phillips of Underhill, Vermont — were graduates of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. Mr. Murphy’s father said the Department of Defense had told him that the crew had regained control of the vessel, The A.P. reported.

While Maersk Line Limited, based in Norfolk, Virginia, is one of the Department of Defense’s primary shipping contractors, it was not under contract with the Defense Department at the time of its hijacking, said Lt. Stephanie Murdock, a spokeswoman with the Navy’s Fifth Fleet, based in Bahrain.

The 508-foot long ship was en route to the Kenyan port of Mombasa and was carrying food and other agricultural materials for the World Food Program, a United Nations agency, among other clients, including the United States Agency for International Development.'

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/09/world/africa/09pirates.html?hp

[Flagg]

102. Worst pirates ever!

[Posteritatis]

110. I dunno, the ones a cruise ship routed 3-4 years ago are up there too (nt)

[eppur_se_muova]

103. CNN now reports captain is held hostage, according to 2nd officer.

Just a banner, no link.

[cali]

105. Another crew member being held with the captain on a life boat.

[redwitch]

107. I thought at first you were talking about the ship of state.

We took that back Jan. 20th!

[Posteritatis]

114. From Maersk's own mouth:

We are able to confirm that the crew of the Maersk Alabama is now in control of the ship. The armed hijackers who boarded this ship earlier today have departed, however they are currently holding one member of the ship's crew as a hostage. The other members of the crew are safe and no injuries have been reported. We are working closely with the U.S. military and other government agencies to continue to respond to this situation as it develops further and will provide additional information as we are able.

http://media.maersk.com/en/PressReleases/2009/Pages/APMM080409.aspx

[laylah]

117. I hope this is true

also; however, this "Pentagon sources spoke on condiiton of anonymity..." BS always gets me riled. Speak up, DAMN IT! We had enough of the "...sources spoke on condiiton of anonymity"...these past 8 years!

[ohio2007]

118. Crew on US ship say Somali pirates hold captain

Captain probably hopes a seahawk pops up on the horizon and maintains a safe distance

[Summermoondancer]

120. Good Good News

I heard that they also sank their boat..maybe they will think twice next time before trying to hijack another American ship of any kind...

[ConcernedCanuk]

124. Disappointed, but sadly not surprised at the glee expressed here re throwing humans into the sea

.
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Remember

The World reads everything now

Criminals are jailed, tried and convicted in our "civilized" world,

not thrown overboard, or hung on the spot . .

That's just plain blood-lust . .

oh wait, I 'm talkin USA

hmmm

. . :freak: . .

[Marrah_G]

126. If it was a choice between being taken hostage or tossing my attacker overboard......

....Yeah, I would prefer the criminal go overboard.

[ConcernedCanuk]

127. like I said - not surprised

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but sorely disappointed with that kind of thinking.

(sigh)

[Marrah_G]

128. Self defense is nothing to be ashamed of.

If I regained control of the ship and had the criminals in custody and THEN threw them over that would be wrong. But if I had to throw someone off my boat to save my boat and myself? Damn right I would do it.

[JeanGrey]

130. I know! You can offer yourself in trade for the captain!