Source: Pirates repel sailors attempting to reach captain

[cali]

Source: CNN


WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Pirates off the eastern coast of Africa fired on U.S. sailors Saturday as they tried to reach the lifeboat where an American captain is being held, a U.S. official familiar with the situation told CNN.


The guided missile frigate USS Halyburton, with helicopter capabilities, is now at the scene.

1 of 2 The gunfire forced the sailors, who did not return fire, to turn back, the official said.

The incident took place some 12 hours ago as the guided missile destroyer USS Bainbridge sent a small team toward the lifeboat, said the official.

Capt. Richard Phillips offered himself as a hostage to the pirates during an attack Wednesday on the U.S.-flagged container ship Maersk Alabama in the Indian Ocean.

The Alabama was en route to Mombasa with a cargo of food aid when it was hijacked about 350 miles off the Somalia coast.

The American crew regained control of the vessel, but the Maersk company would not say how. There are about 20 crew members.

snip

Read more: http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/04/11/somalia.u.s.ship/

---

WTF? This is beginning to look like the keystone cops of military operations. First the captain manages to jump overboard but gets recaptured, now the pirates beat back the Navy.

[geomon666]

1. The USS Halyburton?

....jesus.

[cali]

2. yes, named after a WWII medal of honor winner. And of course, not

spelled like the company.

[geomon666]

12. Ah, forgive my ignorance.

I see that name and my eyes glaze over.

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

15. Perhaps you should seek medical attention for this condition. n/t

[tekisui]

3. The jump overboard lasted a couple of seconds.

We don't know the details about the US Sailors nearing the ship and drawing fire. It could have been a "test the water" move, to see if the pirates were willing to engage in fire.

[stray cat]

4. The sailors didn't bother returning fire so it sounds like they were trying to make contact

the pirates threw all comunication devices into the water including their own cell phones it sounds like so no one can talk to them. Not real helpful for negotiations

[Gin]

5. a description of the boat shows only a couple port holes....no toilet facilities

no cushioned seats....rough times....wonder how the pirates saw the swimmers....unless they were on deck...hope this ends soon and the Captain goes home unharmed.

[Arctic Dave]

19. When you are far enough out at sea the water is clear to about 100 feet down.

You can easily see things in the water.

[TacticalPeek]

10. Reconnaissance by poking around.

[stray cat]

6. If the navy isn't bothering to return fire it doesn't sound like the pirates repelled much

[salguine]

9. You know, maybe they're not returning fire because they can't be sure they

won't hit the hostage? Y'think?

[ohio2007]

52. They may have had a shot of the pirates and saw

..they were young, teenage children

[mountainvue]

7. Are they waiting for the USS Boxer to get there?

What is going on?

[RedCloud]

17. In case they want to put up their dukes?

:shrug:

[mountainvue]

40. Hahaha...good one. n/t

[ohio2007]

26. What can the Boxer do that the world wouldn't condemn ?

It's only an assault ship
and would make breaking news if they torched "fishing villages" Imagine the billions congress would give to the fisherman families since we failed to properly teach the Somali's how to fish.
:sarcasm:

Give a Somali a fish, he eats for a day

Teach him how to fish.......

http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/blogs/noblecommentdecider/2009/04/4-5-illiterate-somali-pirates.php

[mountainvue]

41. TPM calling the pirates illiterate is

presumptuous unless they know them personally. Although from what we know of Somalia, I wouldn't be surprised if they are. They certainly are very good thieves though.

[ohio2007]

53. I see no reason the names and ages of "the pirates" can't be released since journalists have been

talking to them until they pissed them off

snip
Reuters reporters in Somalia were able to contact Phillips' captors -- on their fuel-less, floating lifeboat stalked by U.S. warships -- at the start of the standoff. They issued various defiant messages to the world in barked conversations.

Having then been informed, however, that their remarks were making instant headlines on TV networks across the world, the pirate gang became less cooperative."We are tired of your calls. We have no time for journalists," is a polite translation of some of the last quotes our team managed to extract from the pirates.

"If you bother us again, we will order someone in Mogadishu to meet you," a gang member added before the line went dead. Often, though, the pirates are friendly and helpful, though they detest use of the p-word. "We never kill people. We are Muslims. We are marines, coastguards -- not pirates," one said.

snip


http://www.reuters.com/article/wtMostRead/idUSTRE53B1NX20090412

Gang members ?
banga's?

they are sea going gansta's .

They might be very illiterate. Time is no longer on their side and I hope they don't keep this live captive under the radar

[mountainvue]

8. Maybe they were with this mediator:

http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2009/04/11/news/news-us-somalia-piracy.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1

ENGLISH-SPEAKING MEDIATOR SENT TO SEA

The mediator, a Somali man, took to sea in a boat but it was unclear how he planned to reach the pirates' lifeboat several hundred miles (km) at sea. The mediator speaks English, which hopefully will bridge the language gap between the pirates and the American side.

"The man took a boat but how he will spot the lifeboat is the question," Aweys Ali Said, head of the local Galkayo region's local authority, told Reuters. "The elders want the captain to be released and the pirates to come home safely. But I understand, the pirates need a ransom, come what may."

[ohio2007]

28. "But I understand, the pirates need a ransom, come what may." LOL something is lost in translation

[truthisfreedom]

11. Use up their ammo.

They can only be carrying so much.

[Iliyah]

13. looks like

America is fucking with the pirates. I wonder when they will use the drivers. I can picture the drivers toppling the boat and grab Captain Phillips.

[pitchforksandtorches]

14. This is what happened

excellent film footage-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7I5dVBezF9k

[GinaMaria]

16. The ship reached Kenya without the Captain

US ship reaches Kenya minus kidnapped captain. Nineteen American sailors reached safe harbor on Saturday days after escaping a pirate hijacking off the Horn of Africa, exhilarated by freedom but mourning the absence of the captain they hailed for sacrificing his freedom to save them. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090411/ap_on_re_af/piracy

[RedCloud]

18. Lure those pirates out with salty wenches!

[pitchforksandtorches]

33. The Cincinnati Beacon notices a relationship between global warming and pirates.

The Cincinnati Beacon notices a relationship between global warming and pirates.
General consciousness about global warming seems to have reached a new critical mass, perhaps thanks to Al Gore’s movie and the growing awareness of green technologies.
But has anyone noticed, while more people become aware of global warming and take steps to combat it, that our culture has become filled with even more pirates? Pirates, in many ways, are experiencing a renaissance in America right now.

Flying Spaghetti Monsterism

Arrrrrgh!

May you be touched by His noodly appendage.

http://www.venganza.org/

[ohio2007]

20. Captain made a deal with the pirates but they didn't keep their promise ? wtf ?

Can Obama trust them ?
Burried at the end of this article is a clue

Captive Captain 'Still Alive' as Pirates Steer Lifeboat Toward Shore


snip

The high-seas drama settled into a standoff after the pirates boarded the container ship Maersk Alabama Wednesday while firing AK-47 assault rifles, but were forced off the ship a short time later by the unarmed American crew, which captured one of the pirates.



Phillips apparently prevented a bloody counterattack by the pirates by offering himself as a hostage. A prisoner exchange was arranged, but the pirates didn't keep their part of the bargain and refused to let the captain go free

.

After the escape bid on Friday, the pirates threatened to kill him Phillips the U.S. Navy attempted to rescue him.

The Maersk Alabama was in Somali waters because it was carrying food aid to hungry people in Africa, including Somalia.
http://abcnews.go.com/International/Story?id=7314125&page=4

I trust the mariines at sea are being updated hourly about whats going on.


USS Boxer (LHD-4)


If Barack is moving them,
I hope he intends using them...in some high profile way of course.

[bronxiteforever]

31. A damn brave man, braver than us typing shit on a computer

[wackywaggin]

21. Simple solution!

Rain hellfire guided missles onto the three main pirate ports in Somalia until the hostage is given up. Then the Navy can agree to let the pirates excape off their small boat into the water, having a lifejacket and try to swim to the mainland, in the shark infested waters and the boat they were using will be returned to the Maesk ship it was taken from.

:smoke:

[DissedByBush]

22. "US Frigate Repelled by Small Arms Fire"

A sad day indeed. Obama, protect your citizens!

[John Q. Citizen]

24. Why is that sad?

[DissedByBush]

46. The US Navy does not back down, period.

But with later news it looks like they finally didn't. Pirates dead, captain safe!

[enough already]

27. There are far more important issues than a few pirates at sea

Personally, I want Obama working on the domestic agenda; health care, ending corporate greed, etc.

[ohio2007]

29. oh, for a minute, I thought you were going to mention problems in Africa

like how US food aid is divided up among the warlords


-my bad. ;)

They love our 'surplus' grain production but hate our greed...we should share more

[DissedByBush]

47. We MUST go after pirates

All of our shipping is fair game if we don't. Pirates need to know it is too dangerous to mess with a US-flagged vessel.

Thanks to Jefferson and Madison and their two wars against the Barbary Pirates our shipping in the Med was safe. Between the two wars we were in the War of 1812 and the pirates went right back to raiding our ships.

[ohio2007]

51. I saw an article that said the surviving "pirate" was a 16 yr old boy..... ?

I hope that doesn't sidetrack the issue that he is up for "life in prison"

....looks like he hit the lottery,
3 meals a day,
bed to sleep in
shelter for the rest of his life.

Yep, the boy did OK but imo, this story isn't over if the 16yr old was in charge of the "operation"

[DissedByBush]

54. No sidetrack at all

He's a pirate. The British would have hung him upon arrival at port.

[rasputin1952]

23. For the record, USS Halyburton is named after Wm. D. Halyburton...

The Citation for his Medal of Honor:


*HALYBURTON, WILLIAM DAVID, JR.

Rank and organization: Pharmacist's Mate Second Class, U.S. Naval Reserve. Born: 2 August 1924, Canton, N.C. Accredited to: North Carolina. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with a Marine Rifle Company in the 2d Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa Shima in the Ryukyu Chain, 10 May 1945. Undaunted by the deadly accuracy of Japanese counterfire as his unit pushed the attack through a strategically important draw, Halyburton unhesitatingly dashed across the draw and up the hill into an open fire-swept field where the company advance squad was suddenly pinned down under a terrific concentration of mortar, machinegun and sniper fire with resultant severe casualties. Moving steadily forward despite the enemy's merciless barrage, he reached the wounded marine who lay farthest away and was rendering first aid when his patient was struck for the second time by a Japanese bullet. Instantly placing himself in the direct line of fire, he shielded the fallen fighter with his own body and staunchly continued his ministrations although constantly menaced by the slashing fury of shrapnel and bullets falling on all sides. Alert, determined and completely unselfish in his concern for the helpless marine, he persevered in his efforts until he himself sustained mortal wounds and collapsed, heroically sacrificing himself that his comrade might live. By his outstanding valor and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of tremendous odds, Halyburton sustained and enhanced the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country.



http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/wwII-g-l.html

[ohio2007]

25. Negotiations Break Down in Standoff With Pirates

Negotiations over the American captain taken hostage by Somali pirates broke down on Saturday, according to Somali officials, after American officials insisted that the pirates be arrested and a group of elders representing the pirates refused.

Somali officials said the American captain, Richard Phillips, and the four heavily armed pirates holding him hostage remained in a covered lifeboat floating in the Indian Ocean about 30 miles off Gara’ad, a notorious pirate den in northeastern Somalia.

snip

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/12/world/africa/12somalia.html

they bite the hand that feeds them and laugh in the face of McCains navy.




oh ...
the jokes that could have provided

[creeksneakers2]

34. I'm glad the navy is insisting

This should not end without the pirates either dying or going to prison. How many times here on land is a hostage taker allowed to escape? Never.

[ohio2007]

49. Looks like the captain wil be eating ham this Easter sunday afterall.

The closer that lifeboat got to Somalia,the more pissed off I was getting.

Now what to do with the fourth brave sea going bandit that survived the rescue?

Send him to a secret prison cell on board the USS Boxer ?

He is only required to give his name I believe. ....

[poboyross]

30. Where are the SEALS?

You'd figure the U.S. Navy would want to make short work of, and a lasting impression on these guys. After reading books like Masters of Chaos and the like, you'd figure they'd have several SEALS come up over the sides and make quick work of the pirates, while dragging the American captain over the side and to safety. It seems like that would show a good example of how we handle this crap. You'd also think this would be a *tad* bit easier than dealing with all the crap in the middle east.

I've got friends down in the Caribbean who say that piracy is big down there, too. It's primarily with smaller ships, hence the lack of news coverage. They carry a Barret .50 caliber on their boat with that monster military scope that gives them greater than 1 mile accuracy. They can see the guys coming with guns drawn, so they just punch a big hole in their hull and leave them to the sea.

[inwiththenew]

32. That call is up to the Commander in Chief

The ball is in Obama's court. The military is not going to make a move short of immediate self defense without word from above.

[TorchTheWitch]

36. Bullshit

The president doesn't personally direct military operations or hostage situations. Obama is allowing the experts to deal with this as he should.

[poboyross]

45. EXACTLY.....

To think that one man has all of the knowledge necessary to successfully navigate any and all crises is willfully ignorant.

BTW, I just heard that our guys got their opportunity....and wasted 3 of the 4 pirates and rescued the U.S. ship captain. Huzzah!

[TorchTheWitch]

37. The bigger problem is all the other hostages

Were this one US captain being held hostage I'm sure it would be dealt with as an isolated incident and more than likely SEALS would have been sent in. However, the larger issue is all the other hostages being held by Somali pirates and what is likely to happen to them should we kill the ones holding Captian Phillips. Somali pirates just killed a French hostage last Friday when the French Navy rescued one of their ships, and as far as I know it's the first time the pirates have killed any hostages.

[Pavulon]

42. around. The goal in not to stack bodies, but to save the hostage.

if that man dies the remaining targets will die in minutes. So they have an interest in him being alive.

The problem is the shipping companies have been paying these guys. They generally dont kill hostages. They just collect money.

So this is out of the ordinary, and one would assume the hostage takers are not brilliant men.

There are a myriad of ways to deploy seals. Not seeing them is generally the point.

[ohio2007]

48. guess you already found out

;)

Wonder what was in the food and water the navy provided "the pirates" any way ?
lol
well, three out of four are resting forever.

No virgins for them,
only SEALs


Thanx for giving the navy a second chance captain

POTUS thanks you also

[poboyross]

50. I wonder if they slipped them some ruffees?

Serves them right.

[BrightKnight]

35. escorted convoys, smoke screens and Russian sleeping gas

Has the Navy lost the ability to make smoke screens? Even if they don't attack immediately it will scare the hell out of them.

Why couldn't a SEAL team slip in with something like the sleeping gas that the Russians used during the theater incident.

Paying the ransom is only going to make things worse. Deadly force is the only thing that will resonate enough to have a deterrent effect.

It appears the a system of escorted convoys may be the answer in the short run if the cannot kill the wolf packs.

[enough already]

38. Deadly force?

We've been there and done that. No thanks. This is our fault for being lousy world citizens in the first place.

[mbperrin]

39. If only we hadn't worn that short skirt, the rapist wouldn't have got us?

No thanks, this is the fault of thieves more than hundred miles off the coast attacking ships that have done nothing at all to them.

[cali]

44. simple little ideas are for simple little people.

[Pavulon]

43. Bullets, because please don't kill me does not always work

good luck with that approach.