U.S. warship captures suspected pirate mother ship

[vta]

It's over at CNN.

You have to wonder what the true point of these acts are? A 'skiff' attacking a warship, knowing full well it's not going to do anything other than get whipped.

Are they dry runs for something else? Diversions for other acts?

--------------

A U.S. warship sank a pirate skiff and captured a pirate mother ship in the Indian Ocean on Thursday, according to a statement from U.S. Naval Forces Africa.

The frigate USS Nicholas came under fire from a pirate vessel shortly after midnight in international waters west of the Seychelles, according to a U.S. military statement.

The Nicholas returned fire and pursued the skiff as it fled, capturing it about 90 minutes later. Three suspected pirates aboard the skiff were taken into custody, along with two others aboard a suspected pirate mother ship that was nearby.

 

[joseephuss]

The pirates probably confused the warship with a commercial ship. I don't think these pirates are the brightest of people.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

Not Amused!

 

[WoodysGirl]

US navy nabs pirate suspects near Seychelles

AFP/File – Armed Somali pirates preparing their skiff in Hobyo, northeastern Somalia, in January 2010. A US warship … .1 hr 55 mins ago

WASHINGTON (AFP) – A US warship operating in the Indian Ocean captured five suspected pirates Thursday after an exchange of gunfire in international waters near the Seychelles, the Pentagon said.

The frigate USS Nicholas took the piracy suspects into custody after the warship sank a skiff, and confiscated a suspected mother ship, said a statement from US Naval Forces.

"While operating west of the Seychelles in international waters, Nicholas reported taking fire at 12:27 am local time from a suspected pirate skiff and returned fire before commencing pursuit of the vessel until the disabled skiff stopped," the statement said.

"At 1:59 am personnel from Nicholas boarded the disabled skiff and detained three personnel. The boarding team found ammunition and multiple cans of fuel on board."

After taking the suspected pirates on board, the Nicholas sank the disabled skiff and captured two additional suspected pirates on the confiscated mother ship.

"The suspected pirates will remain in US custody on board Nicholas until a determination is made regarding their disposition," the statement said.

The lifting of the winter monsoon in the region has spurred a fresh spate of attacks by pirates able to venture hundreds of miles from their bases and approach their prey on relatively calm seas.

The Seychelles economy relies heavily on tuna fishing and tourism and the country has had several ships hijacked since 2008.

In a separate incident, six Seychellois fishermen rescued from Somali pirates were returned home Wednesday after three days of high-seas drama which saw the Seychelles coastguard sink several pirate boats.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100401/pl_afp/uspiracyshippingseychelles

 

[Hostile]

You mess with the bull, you get the horns.

 

[YosemiteSam]

I see it on CNN's website, but it sounds like an April Fools joke. A Somali pirate attacking a Navy warship is like attacking a 900lbs polar bear bare handed.

*** were they thinking?

 

[joseephuss]

I see it on CNN's website, but it sounds like an April Fools joke. A Somali pirate attacking a Navy warship is like attacking a 900lbs polar bear bare handed.

*** were they thinking?

Like wearing gloves would help.

 

[JohnnyHopkins]

Is this them?

 

[HoleInTheRoof]

You mess with the bull, you get the horns.

That is how it should be.

But nowadays, they'll get soft treatment. They'll likely eat and rest better than they ever have in our custody before we simply return them to their home country.

 

[xWraithx]

That is how it should be.

But nowadays, they'll get soft treatment. They'll likely eat and rest better than they ever have in our custody before we simply return them to their home country.

what the hell??

 

[YosemiteSam]

Like wearing gloves would help.

I was referring to not using a shotgun.

 

[Longboysfan]

Keel haul them. And leave the propellers running.

 

[jimmy40]

Mothership??

 

[zrinkill]

They wanted health care too.

 

[vta]

They wanted health care too.

 

[Alumni2k11]

They wanted health care too.

:laugh2:

 

[Vintage]

It's over at CNN.

You have to wonder what the true point of these acts are? A 'skiff' attacking a warship, knowing full well it's not going to do anything other than get whipped.

Are they dry runs for something else? Diversions for other acts?

I think you hit the nail on the head. Dry runs. Its what I think too.

I've wondered for awhile why certain groups haven't tried commandeering a ship with oil or natural gas, or something to that affect.

I wonder if they are setting up dry runs to see a response time....

And by certain groups, I am not necessarily referring to pirates (although, I suppose they could be "contracted" out).

 

[Bob Sacamano]

I think you hit the nail on the head. Dry runs. Its what I think too.

I've wondered for awhile why certain groups haven't tried commandeering a ship with oil or natural gas, or something to that affect.

I wonder if they are setting up dry runs to see a response time....

And by certain groups, I am not necessarily referring to pirates (although, I suppose they could be "contracted" out).

Most of these pirates are uneducated. So I don't think they are testing anything out. They are just stupid.

 

[Jon88]

I guarantee you they were high.

 

[vta]

Most of these pirates are uneducated. So I don't think they are testing anything out. They are just stupid.

They're not working on their own, they're based in Somalia, and around the horn of Africa. They may be ragtag but their organizers aren't. It's another tactic in this very broad war.