Comments on: Pirates Hijack Oil Tanker In Brazen Attack

Seizure Off The Kenyan Coast Is Furthest Out To Sea And On Biggest Vessel Yet

[questionnews]

I see the politically obsessed still have their election vitriol locked on the wacko setting.

[engymass2]

Why are soo many on this post making references to liberals ?? You better watch what you say.... least President Obama send the US Military to YOUR doorstep !!

[xalen54]

Maybe this is just a sign that it is time we should nuke Somailia....

[gop_will_win]

What is with these liberal pirates stealing ships at sea? Arent their welfare checks enough?

[claydowner]

The US Navy needs small Corvettes like the Swedish Visby class at about 1,400 tons or a slightly larger version of a Coast Guard cutter. These type of ships need are ideal for these asymmetrical threats posed by pirates. The 19th century British Royal navy kept many of these small corvettes permanently stationed along their shipping lanes around the world. They were ideal for working with local officials and became the face of the British Empire for millions of people. America should do the same thing today in the 21st century that the British did in the 19th century.


The military industrial complex is focused on huge weapons programs based on Cold War era concepts of conventional warfare. These huge weapons programs have an anal fixation for spending many billions of dollars on nuclear aircraft carriers, nuclear submarines, fighter plane programs like the F-18 Super Hornet, F-22 fighter plane (that costs $200 billion per plane), the B-2 bomber, missile defense in Alaska, and many others for all the services. If WW III happens we are in great shape. What value are these weapon systems against guerrillas, terrorists, or pirates for small limited wars or a terrorist with a suit case nuke?

[sincity_q]

The affected waters are really a bit too vast to patrol with the limted international effort thus far put forward. But what could be done far easier would be to assign warships to block access to the major Somali ports where the pirates take their victims/ships. In essense, an internation blackade of Somali ports to suffocate the pirates... keeping them on dry gound and preventing them from having a place to go with hijacked vessels.

[earache4]

NOW Haliburton will get involved....

[secundus2]

Instead of patrolling millions of sq. miles, perhaps some warships should be assigned to convoy commercial vessels formed into groups.

Also, an occasional decoy that turned against the attackers wouldn''t be amiss.

[demdump]

Bait the pirate and blow each one on them when they come near....

[brianp55]

Guess who''s going to be asked to protect these Saudi tankers with their navy?

[questionnews]

Would someone please explain to me how a bouch of rag tag thugs in an open 18 foot boat with an out board engine can pull over an oil super tanker. I don''''t get it.

Posted by Flipper137 at 11:19 AM : Nov 17, 2008

They thrown grappling hooks over the edge of the ship & climb up with their weapons. Since weapons are banned on almost all ships (especially fuel ships), there''s little the crew can do.

[bobnjersey]

["It''s not easy to take over a ship" as massive as oil tankers, which typically have armed guards on board, he said. ]

may i suggest raising the ladder on the side of the ship once it''s out to sea. there are also highly directional audio systems used on cruise ships to defend against undesirable approaches.

another strategy would be a modified form of the phalanx ciws anti missile system used on most american warships. a few of these on every major ship would put an end to the pirate business being an attractive option.

[flipper137]

Would someone please explain to me how a bouch of rag tag thugs in an open 18 foot boat with an out board engine can pull over an oil super tanker. I don''t get it.

[questionnews]

Nuke the ba$tards.


Posted by nikosk11 at 11:07 AM : Nov 17, 2008


Independence Day??

[nikosk11]

Nuke the ba$tards.

[questionnews]

They could do what the Chinese do to pirates.
10 minute trial & 5 minutes to put a bullet in the back of their heads. Yea, they''re not much for sorting out the details, but those even thinking about that line of work quickly start thinking about a different career.

[kk217]

I know there has to be some international law prohibiting commercial vessels from arming themselves but this is ridiculous!!!