[Capt Gary]

Originally Posted by AMG

Read this... http://www.noonsite.com/Members/doina/R2005-03-14-1

In later years I only deliver on the West Coast, Ca to Alaska. But I have always had a reoccurring fear while sitting in the pilot house. How easy it would be for a fast inflatable to pull up to the swimstep and put off an armed intruder unnoticed. Paranoid? probably. But it comes from about 15 years ago off of Calif. when an inflateable came up in our wake for no reason with 2 ugly guys looking us over. (I won't mention any nationalities). When we jumped to the ready they turned around and headed back in the direction they came from. We watched them until they were out of sight and their direction never changed. They were going home. I mention this because it was obvious they were not merely fishing or whatever.

[midcoastyacht]

Good counter measure is to be driving a 36-40' downeast boat with 400-600HP diesel in it. Put her in the corner, and turn 'er around, if it doesnt roll the inflatable over, it'll definitely make a wake for them to remember. Plus a good chance to get away after that at around 25-30 Kn
PS: This is not an advertisement, just stating a fact, to which i was an eye witness. (Rolling over a RIB with a lobster boat)

[Codger]

Le Ponant

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7331290.stm
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/afp/08040..._piracy_travel

[TK-F430]

Originally Posted by Codger

Le Ponant

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7331290.stm
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/afp/08040..._piracy_travel

Happens quite often in that area.

[Kevin]

I hate to make generalisations... but Somalia is one messed up country, about as lawless as can be. I've read countless reports and warnings telling boats of all kinds to avoid going anywhere near that coast... yet some still do.

[FISHTIGUA]

Back in the late 80's on a 220' motoryacht we used to run up the Malacca Straits as well as the Phillipenes. We used to stand watchmen armed with a M-16, flaregun and nightvision goggles on the aftdeck. Some nights the Radar was very busy.

At the same time some friends were sailing on the 110' Royal Huisman 'Whirlwind XI' between Somalia and Aden. They got hit by the water-rats, the boat got ripped and the girls messed-up quite bad.

If you sail in those waters, you have all been warned.

Dave

[TK-F430]

We've had quite a few Egyptian boats taken in that area by Somalian or Eritrean pirates, mostly fishing boats fishing out of Yemen but got too close to Somalian and Eritrean waters.

[Codger]

The reason that I posted this incident when I saw it on the BBC daily news was that I couldn't help but think that someone in that company just doesn't do their homework. I traveled through much of west and central Africa last year. There were no surprises since the riskier areas and situations had all been planned for and in those places that were "dynamic situations" the go/no-go decisions were last minute with updated information. Business travel is one thing, but heading in to known riskier areas on an un-escorted and unprepared pleasure cruise vessel just makes no sense to me.
I hope that the crew all make it out of there in one piece. Genteel hospitality is not high on the list of the current Somalian menu.

[brian eiland]

If you want to reach the beautiful Seychelle Islands this is the route from the Med...or you can sail around the tip of Africa

This Somolia is an outlaw country that needs to be put in its place. VERY likely the cruise ship was in international waters when it was boarded by these jerks. Its about time we clean house there.

I had suggested to a few Navy defense contractors that we might take a few of these small unmanned patrol boats and rig them with some explosives. Knowing those dumb asses they'd try to steal something off of these vessels, or get close for a look see....then SURPRISE... no more pirate. Maybe we could put a little fleet of the unmanned vessels out there and paint them menacing colors. I'll bet the rumor mill would work real quickly to let these pirates know they were under surveillance all the time should they venture into international waters.

I just found a portion of one letter I wrote;
I’m sure you have probably considered many potential missions for your SeaOWL product, but I might suggest two more that would be applicable right NOW:
1) Low profile monitoring of the Persian Gulf and the latest Iranian torpedo & missile developments, etc.
2) A concerted effort to get some control over the ‘piracy’ situation off the coast of Yemen, Somalia, and the Malacca Straits. These SeaOWLs could operate in both a defensive monitoring posture, and an offensive one. Why not equip some of these vessels with an explosive charge that could sacrifice itself along with a few pirates who became a little too inquisitive. In time I think the situations would subside substantially if the word of mouth spread about some advanced new ‘on-the-water’ surveillance force was deployed, and that these units possessed deadly force. Certainly a lot cheaper and more efficient than trying to deploy full size Navy ships to do this job.

PS: Can't find the SeaOWL product any more, but try googling "UnManned Marine Vessel (UMV)"

[YachtNews]

The crew that were held hostage on the 4th are now released from the Le Ponant.

http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5...VyZRxJrUXlHJKw

[K1W1]

Hi,

It is great that the seafarers were released unharmed.

Now the Allies should use the boat for target practice.

[catmando]

Originally Posted by K1W1

Hi,

It is great that the seafarers were released unharmed.

Now the Allies should use the boat for target practice.

You saying they should use Le Ponant for target practice??? Why??

[FISHTIGUA]

Originally Posted by catmando

You saying they should use Le Ponant for target practice??? Why??

Though 'Le Ponant' is not the prettiest girl in the playground, I'm sure KIWI meant the water-rat's boat.....eh right?

[catmando]

Originally Posted by FISHTIGUA

Though 'Le Ponant' is not the prettiest girl in the playground, I'm sure KIWI meant the water-rat's boat.....eh right?

Oh...well yes yes I'm a bit thick tonight, sorry.

[K1W1]

Hi,

My Bad,

I read that the seafarers were released not the whole ship and crew.

I then read another article that said the ship was underway to Djbouti with a Naval Crew onboard.

I was suggesting that if the ship had been retained by the pirates it would be good target practice