No-this is not a political thread, and is not designated as such. Somalia pirates have seized a Ukrainian freighter filled with Russian tanks and ammunition. Ship is anchored offshore of Somalia and want $20 million to release the ship. A US Guided Missile Destroyer is nearby, to prevent the pirates from offloading the cargo, until a Russion Navy Frigate arrives on the scene later this week. Going to be interesting to see how the Russians handle this situation.
MOGADISHU, Somalia - As a heavily armed U.S. destroyer patrolled nearby and planes flew overhead Sunday, a Somali pirate spokesman told The Associated Press his group was demanding a $20 million ransom to release a cargo ship loaded with Russian tanks.
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The spokesman also warned that the pirates would fight to the death if any country tried military action to regain the ship, and a man who said he was the ship's captain reported that one crew member had died.
Pirates seized the Ukrainian-operated ship Faina off the coast of Somalia on Thursday as it headed to Kenya carrying 33 Russian-built T-72 tanks and a substantial amount of ammunition and spare parts. The ordnance was ordered by the Kenyan government.
The guided missile destroyer USS Howard was stationed off the Somali coast on Sunday, making sure that the pirates did not remove the tanks, ammunition and other heavy weapons from the ship, which was anchored off the coast.
A spokesman for the U.S. 5th fleet said the Navy remained "deeply concerned" over the fate of the ship's 21-member crew and cargo.
In a rare gesture of cooperation, the Americans appeared to be keeping an eye on the Faina until the Russian missile frigate Neustrashimy, or Intrepid, reaches the area. The Russian ship was still in the Atlantic on Sunday, the Russian navy reported.
Pirate spokesman Sugule Ali said he was speaking Sunday from the deck of the Faina via a satellite phone — and verified his location by handing the phone over to the ship's captain, who also spoke with the AP. It was not possible to further confirm their identities.
"We want ransom, nothing else. We need $20 million for the safe release of the ship and the crew," Ali said, adding that "if we are attacked, we will defend ourselves until the last one of us dies."
Five nations have been sharing information to try to secure the swift release of the ship and its crew — Ukraine, Somalia, Russia, the United States and Britain. Kenyan government spokesman Alfred Mutua, however, insisted his country will not negotiate with pirates or terrorists.
Ali said planes have been flying over the Faina. It was not known which country the planes belonged to. He also said others who made earlier ransom demands did not speak for the pirates holding the ship.
A man who said he was the captain of the seized ship and who identified himself as Viktor Nikolsky told the AP that a Russian crew member died Sunday because of hypertension.
"The rest of us are feeling well," Nikolsky said, adding that he could see three ships about a mile away, including one carrying an American flag.
Both Ali and Nikolsky spoke on a satellite phone number the AP got from a Somali journalist who spoke to Ali earlier in the day. The conversation lasted about 30 minutes. Ali spoke in Somali with a central Somalian accent and Nikolsky spoke in broken English.
Russian media had earlier identified Nikolsky as the first mate, yet he identified himself to the AP as the ship's captain. It was not possible to immediately resolve the discrepancy.
U.S. Navy spokesman Lt. Nathan Christensen told AP that the San Diego-based USS Howard had made contact with the Faina on Sunday.
"While we can't get into details, I will say there has been basic bridge-to-bridge communication established with the ship," Christensen told the AP in a phone interview from the 5th Fleet's Mideast headquarters in Manama, Bahrain.
Christensen said the Navy was aware of one crew member's death, but did know what the cause was.
Pirate attacks worldwide have surged this year and Africa remains the world's top piracy hotspot, with 24 reported attacks in Somalia and 18 in Nigeria this year, according to the International Maritime Bureau's piracy reporting center.
Attacking ships has become a regular source of income for pirates in Somalia, a war-torn country without a functioning government since 1991.
Christensen said the Faina was anchored off Somalia's coast near the central town of Hobyo.
"What's on board is of concern to us as much as the criminal activity," Christensen told the AP, adding that the Navy does not want the tanks and other weapons to end up "in the wrong hands."
Christensen refused to say what the crew of the American destroyer would do if the pirates began to offload the tanks and weapons.
"It's a very complex situation and we do not want to speculate on any particular aspect of it," he said.
According to its Web site, the USS Howard has surface-to-air missiles, Tomahawk cruise missiles, anti-submarine rockets, torpedoes, and a five-inch rapid-fire deck gun.
In the latest hijacking in the area, a Greek tanker with a crew of 19 carrying refined petroleum from Europe to the Middle East was ambushed Friday in the Gulf of Aden, according to the International Maritime Bureau.
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[This message has been edited by maryjane (edited 09-28-2008).]
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08:20 PM
PFF
System Bot
Flamberge Member
Posts: 4268 From: Terra Sancta, TX Registered: Oct 2001
Since it is the Ukraine's vessel, I would think it should be their bailiwick, although admittingly it's Russia that has the naval presence in the area.
A real quick way to end the threat of piracy (which is very real in that area) is to have a sub or two patrol the area, to randomly escort a vessel from below. Then if pirates come to attack, simply torpedo them.
Since it is the Ukraine's vessel, I would think it should be their bailiwick, although admittingly it's Russia that has the naval presence in the area.
A real quick way to end the threat of piracy (which is very real in that area) is to have a sub or two patrol the area, to randomly escort a vessel from below. Then if pirates come to attack, simply torpedo them.
(This thread doesn't look political to me.)
- Flamberge
Most of these acts are done using very fast, very small boats--not much bigger than a speedboat.
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08:31 PM
D B Cooper Member
Posts: 3152 From: East Detroit, MI Registered: Jul 2005
I had seen a news report that pirates had a go at a US Navy replentishment ship this week too. Guess they changed their minds when the navy opened fire on them
Most of these acts are done using very fast, very small boats--not much bigger than a speedboat.
It should be interesting to see how they handle this.
Now that you have broken the story on this, it will be your job to keep us up to speed on this story. Don't be like the news media and leave us wondering. This is where I come to get my fair and balanced news stories.
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09:03 PM
D B Cooper Member
Posts: 3152 From: East Detroit, MI Registered: Jul 2005
Install twin mah-deuce mounts on more of the merchant ships in that area, and this problem will go away. Sniping at them may or may not get their attention; but a spray of .50 machinegun fire sends an unmistakable message.
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09:07 PM
D B Cooper Member
Posts: 3152 From: East Detroit, MI Registered: Jul 2005
"We want ransom, nothing else. We need $20 million for the safe release of the ship and the crew," Ali said, adding that "if we are attacked, we will defend ourselves until the last one of us dies."
The way the Russkies handle these situations, I think the above statement is a good example of foreshadowing.
The way the Russkies handle these situations, I think the above statement is a good example of foreshadowing.
I suspect the Russians will sink the ship, pirates, hostages and cargo. Will the US Navy intercede? Dunno. There IS an American crewman supposedly on the freighter held as a hostage.
Edit:
There now seems to be significant uncertainty about the crew's national make up. The last statement may be untrue.
[This message has been edited by maryjane (edited 09-29-2008).]
The spokesman also warned that the pirates would fight to the death if any country tried military action to regain the ship, and a man who said he was the ship's captain reported that one crew member had died.
I guess they want death then. The Ruskies with Putin in charge have no quams about killing people when they have to do it.
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09:43 PM
blackrams Member
Posts: 33084 From: Covington, TN, USA Registered: Feb 2003
Putin will want to make a statement that any ship flying a flag that is a friend of their's is to be left alone. I sincerely doubt there will be any survivors. The ship may not end up on the bottom but, it would be a small price to pay. Well, to some it will be.
It should be interesting to see how they handle this.
Now that you have broken the story on this, it will be your job to keep us up to speed on this story. Don't be like the news media and leave us wondering. This is where I come to get my fair and balanced news stories.
Sorry. I have ethics, integrity, no bias, and thus cannot be a newsman in today's world.
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11:07 PM
cliffw Member
Posts: 37819 From: Bandera, Texas, USA Registered: Jun 2003
As sad as it is to say. The People working on the ship are already dead. As soon as the pirates get the ransom the Captain and crew mates will either be shot, or taken prisoner somewhere else. If that has not already happened. Unfortunately the ship needs to be sank, either with a few bombs from orbit, or perhaps some torpedoes. If I was on that ship I would be expecting to die at any moment, and would already have made my peace.
I feel bad for the people working on the ship, but you do take some risk in a job like that.
Originally posted by twofatguys: As sad as it is to say. The People working on the ship are already dead. As soon as the pirates get the ransom the Captain and crew mates will either be shot, or taken prisoner somewhere else. If that has not already happened. Unfortunately the ship needs to be sank, either with a few bombs from orbit, or perhaps some torpedoes. If I was on that ship I would be expecting to die at any moment, and would already have made my peace.
I feel bad for the people working on the ship, but you do take some risk in a job like that.
Brad
yup. there is NO PAYDAY for these fools. surprised its remained afloat this long.
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10:32 AM
Stormtrooper101 Member
Posts: 37 From: Oxnard, CA, USA Registered: Apr 2008
It gets curiouser and curiouser. apparently these pirate seized another ship last month and the pirates are all dying; skin blistering, hair falling out, and vomiting.
It gets curiouser and curiouser. apparently these pirate seized another ship last month and the pirates are all dying; skin blistering, hair falling out, and vomiting.
It gets curiouser and curiouser. apparently these pirate seized another ship last month and the pirates are all dying; skin blistering, hair falling out, and vomiting.
