Pirates attack another U.S. ship

Vic · 04-14-2009, 21:29

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30204891/

The Bainbridge can not even get the rescued captain back to his crew before having to respond to another attack. Something must be done.

Vic · 04-14-2009, 22:16

This really puzzles me and I just can not take it any longer, so I sent this letter off. Five to one I get no responce. I think this whole thing is having a harder and harder time passing the smell test.

To the board of Liberty Maritime Corporation,

This letter is concerning the latest attack by pirates on one of your ships and its American crew. As an American I am at a lose as to how we are allowing this to happen to us. We have been trying to let the world know we will not put up with crazy behavior, and now we seem to be unwilling to make a stand on this issue. I will not rest until I feel I have done everything in my power to create a world in which those who are young now have life, liberty and happiness firmly entrenched in their existence. And this current problem is within my power to change, if only on the smallest scale. I hereby offer to your company the use of my services for the protection of one ship at no charge. I will personally lead a four man security team to ward off any attack. I will provide the gear, guns, and men, and also take all responsibility for our actions. There is no doubt your legal department can create the proper forms for your total isolation from liability. If we are detained at a foreign port, if we brake any laws, or if we die in action your company will feel no repercussions. This is not a reckless ploy, and just might be the beginning of a resolved effort to extinguish this crisis. Every great movement is begun by a first step. The Chinese word for crisis is a combination of the words danger and opportunity. Let us not cower in the face of this danger, let us seize this opportunity to show the world we will never stop in our efforts to make this world safe for freedom. I will be interested in your response to the choice I have placed before you. Thank you for your time, and good day.

Sincerely,
Victor Miller

gagners · 04-15-2009, 05:47

Sounds like a job for Blackwater....

Utah Bob · 04-15-2009, 09:17

Don't hold your breath waiting for a response Vic.
If they do decide to employ some people, I expect they will want someone with experience.

Saoirse · 04-15-2009, 09:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by gagners

Sounds like a job for Blackwater....

Ssshh..Gagners! Now now, you know they don't use that name anymore! They are Xe....(I can't say it without laughing..reminds me of when Prince changed his name to some weird symbol!)

Not for nothing, if Jack Sparrow had been the captain of those pirates, a few kegs of rum (a couple of lovely damsels to distract him) and it would have ended quite quickly. LOL

But seriously... these POSs won't learn their lesson until we literally hand them their asses! The Bainbridge hijacking and kidnapping and subsequent rescue wasn't enough of a lesson. Show no mercy!

mojaveman · 04-15-2009, 10:05

When you consider the amount of money that the shipping corporations pay to free their ships and crew after they've been seized by maritime terrorists you almost wonder if it wouldn't be more economical just to have some type of security measures in place when navigating in that part of the World.

Richard · 04-15-2009, 10:17

Quote:

When you consider the amount of money that the shipping corporations pay to free their ships and crew after they've been seized by maritime terrorists you almost wonder if it wouldn't be more economical just to have some type of security measures in place when navigating in that part of the World.

Paul Blart - Boat Cop.

Richard's $.02

gagners · 04-15-2009, 10:33

Sorry... unaware of the new alias.

But, then again, I couldn't find the [/dripping sarcasm/] emoticon.

04-15-2009, 11:04

Not sure if this was said already, but I saw something on Fox last night that stated the DOD or State Department had mentioned to them it would be cheaper for them to contract some folks to help secure them rather than pay ransom to the scumbags, and perpetuate the situation....they obviously did not use the word "scumbag", ...but they should have

TG

Vic · 04-15-2009, 11:22

(Don't hold your breath waiting for a response Vic.
If they do decide to employ some people, I expect they will want someone with experience. )
__________________

Well, they are not getting Black Water on board, be it because they do not want to spend the money or they are afraid to change the status quo. And if a inexerienced crew could nearly pulled it off with no more than muscle and a few knives, I am pretty sure that with a minimum of added force the job could be handled be just about anyone. The thing are floating castles and every advantage belongs to the defenders. Besides the fact that getting Black Water guys would cost the companies 100 k+ a pop, I think their skills and experience would almost be wasted in a situation like this. And I guess I do not like the idea of American sailers turning to Black Water when things get a little hairy. I bet if that crew had a few guns, their captain would never have been touched. We should not expect the cops to protect our homes, and we should not expect Black water to protect our boats.

Utah Bob · 04-15-2009, 13:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard

Paul Blart - Boat Cop.

Richard's $.02

Now that's funny right there.

gagners · 04-15-2009, 14:32

I was not advocating Blackwater. I was kidding.

But just to play devil's advocate:

As a private contractor working for the shipping industry providing security, I'm sure they'd want to see some sort of credentials for you and your men/women. Would you run your own training (not cheap). Would you have insurance to cover your employs (not cheap). What would you pay your employs (not cheap). Benefits of any kind (not cheap)? Weapons/uniforms/body armor?

I'm not saying that PSCs don't make nice bank, but some of the things that we take for granted in the service cost a bit more on the outside.

greenberetTFS · 04-15-2009, 14:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard

Paul Blart - Boat Cop.

Richard's $.02

Paul Blart, He's the man..................

GB TFS

Smokin Joe · 04-15-2009, 23:37

My understanding of international maritime law only allows shipping vessels to carry distraction devices and water hoses for protection.

I believe all firearms are forbidden on a vessel or the vessel can be considered a ship of war.

But I wasn't in the Navy and I only stayed in a holiday inn twice (and it wasn't last night).

Vic · 04-20-2009, 19:38

My training would be done in route, perhaps one week of it. I would not have insurance to cover my employees. I would not pay my employees. They would receive no benefits. Our uniforms would be blue shirts, khaki pants, baseball caps and no body armor. Sand bag emplacements would be placed along the deck. The weapons I could get from several families in Wyoming, and here I am talking about people who have converted their basement into temperature controlled gun safes, with millions of rounds of ammunition. Slide a fake wall to discover a secret gun room, lit by red light and in great order kind of people. Even if it was bring your hunting rifle to work day, we would be doing a hell of a lot better. But let us just assume the guns are taken care of. And for the men, if all three of my brothers did not sign up, I would find replacements who were just as much family. So here is the plan: Get eyes on target. One spotter and one shooter open up with a fifty from one click out, to serve as a shot across the bow. If target still proceeds, aim to kill and/or disable vessel starting at 1800 m out. Starting at 800 m out the other two men of the team throw volleys out of 30 round clips for modified AR15’s, with the sniper and spotter now in the roll of ammo feeders. This continues till 100 m out, when defensive position are taken. Periscope and sand bag positions are in place, with instant communication between team members (radio shack), and if it comes to this, the fight is begun. If a hook is in place, place a delayed incendiary on it and move into position. When the man falls, all four open up. There is no fall back from here! They do not get on the boat. Starting with the nineteen dollars I have in my pocket now, a back of the envelope estimate for this is ten thousand dollars, most being for food, transportation to the port, and just having money because having money always helps. Can you think what hardship it placed on those men to stab that pirate with a knife? Or the dread of the family of the captain to wait those few intolerable days? Or even our pussy congress having to think about this? How long until we solved the problem of 9-11? Ten minutes. I had it half way through my first beer: carbon fiber locking mechanisms on the door, guns in the hands of the pilots. This seems equally simple to me. And yet I will be obliged to continue to watch as metaphorical planes slam into metaphorical towers.