Italian Tug Owner: "I'm marveling that they'd do that for one American."

[babylonsister]

Italy boat owner marvels at US pirate operation
By NICOLE WINFIELD Associated Press Writer


Apr 12th, 2009 | ROME -- The owner of an Italian-flagged tugboat seized by pirates off Somalia marveled Sunday at the U.S. Navy rescue of an American hostage there, and said he hopes his crew also will be saved.

Silvio Bartoletti, owner of shipping company Micoperi, said he wasn't any more concerned for his crew's safety following the operation by U.S. Navy Seals to free Capt. Richard Phillips.

The American forces opened fire on three pirates when a Navy commander quickly decided that Phillips' life was in danger on the lifeboat where he was being held hostage.

Asked about the rescue, Bartoletti told The Associated Press: "I'm marveling that they'd do that for one American." Regarding his own ship, with 10 Italians and six crew members aboard, he said: "I hope in the next days we could also have positive news."

The Micoperi tugboat Buccaneer was seized on Saturday by pirates off the northern Somali coast along with its crew, which in addition to the Italians includes five Romanians and a Croat.

Bartoletti said no ransom had been demanded as of yet.

While marveling at the American rescue, Bartoletti said he didn't think an Italian military operation would be possible at this stage, saying it probably could have only succeeded in the early hours after the seizure.

more...

http://www.salon.com/wires/ap/world/2009/04/12/D97H5BV00_eu_italy_piracy/index.html

[MADem]

1. It's one thing we do so very well. It's drummed into you in boot camp and/or

officer training, too--that you won't be abandoned.

This guy went to Mass Maritime in Bee-yooo-tee-ful Buzzard's Bay--he surely has or had a reserve USN or Coast Guard commission. He's a merchie, he knows the drill.

[doctor jazz]

2. He's cynical and he has every right to be. Not enough has been done by any civilized nation

to combat the criminal thugs. Well, maybe our own forces have begun a trend today. Hopefully.

[babylonsister]

4. That's not cynicism.

I think he was marveling at all the resources we invested in rescuing one man.

imo he was impressed.

[doctor jazz]

6. But that's nothing new. Doesn't everyone in the world with access to news know that's what we do

and have for a couple hundred years?

[Arctic Dave]

9. What in your opinion would be enough?

Since nobody has lived up to your standards, tell the world your thoughts.

[doctor jazz]

11. Repel any attempted boarding with extreme prejudice.

It isn't rocket science.

[Arctic Dave]

16. I am amazed they haven't made president of the Maritime Academy.

Maybe you should write to them at tell them of your genius.

I would have guessed with all your knowledge of the shipping industry you would be an Onassis or something.

[KT2000]

19. This problem has been handled

by the corporate owners of the ships. They are the ones who preferred to pay the ransoms.

[BlooInBloo]

3. bush wouldn't have, of course. Elections have consequences.

[NYC Liberal]

5. Sure he would. Remember Jessica Lynch?

Oh wait, erm, that didn't happen exactly how Bush & the Rethugs claimed it did, now did it?

[bushmeister0]

7. Or the EP-3 incident in April of 2001.

"We're very, very sorry," and thanks for sending one of our most sophisticated spy planes back in crates --- and charging us for the shipping! Now, that's a War President for you!

[doctor jazz]

8. The nail in that irony coffin was hiring the Russians to bring it back in their

world's biggest cargo plane.
:shrug:

[bushmeister0]

12. Ha! Speaking of irony, how about us having to rely on the Russians

to get us into space when they retire the Space Jalopy?

Of course, that's only until Lockheed/Martin/Boeing/major-ripoff INC gets around to designing the new and improved LEM, the one that looks just like the one we went to the Moon with 40 years ago.

[JVS]

10. You know what we say here "Trillions for defense put not a dime for public healthcare"

[noamnety]

17. That's the really tragic thing, no?

Add up all the money it cost to save that one guy.

How many lives could that have saved at home, in the form of preventative health care or relatively cheap medications?

(But there's no glamor in that, I suppose.)

[SoCalDem]

13. My question is this

Why on earth is an Italian tugboat at sea where Somali pirates can GET it?

Aren't tugs "harbor boats", used to assist ships in their harbors??

[babylonsister]

14. Maybe the tug was hired out by a big cargo company?

:shrug:

[hack89]

15. It was a large ocean going tugboat nearly 250 feet long

here is a photo:
http://www.mediafaxfoto.ro/preview.php?id=3472281

[RB TexLa]

18. Well of course there's blood and then there's precious 'Merican blood.