Pirate Attack On U.S. Cargo Ship Thwarted

CBS News' Sheila MacVicar Is Aboard Canadian Warship As It Turns Pirates Away From Maersk Alabama's Sister Ship

(CBS)  Canadian Naval helicopters thwarted an attack Friday by pirates in the Gulf of Aden on a U.S. cargo ship, the Maersk Virginia - from the same fleet as the Maersk Alabama, whose captain was held captive for four days in April.

CBS News correspondent Sheila MacVicar is aboard the Canadian warship HMCS Winnipeg, which first responded to a distress call by a Lebanese flagged cargo ship called the Maria K. The crew reported rocket propelled grenade fire from the pirates.

Within minutes, three naval helicopters from the Winnipeg were in the air and on their way to the Maria K, located about 60 miles away. The pirates broke off their pursuit of the Maria K and headed instead for the nearby American ship.

An Italian Naval helicopter joined the Canadian aircraft. With the helicopters hovering overhead, the pirates gave up their attempted hijacking and threw their weapons overboard before their boat was boarded by Italian seamen.

The craft was approximately .75 nautical miles from the U.S. ship before turning away, according to Maersk Lines, Limited, based in Virginia.

Maersk Lines said the Maersk Virginia was not fired upon and that all crewmembers are safe.

"Maersk Lines, Limited continues to evolve security measures aboard its ships transiting the Gulf of Aden and Western Indian Ocean. The company is committed to ensuring the safety of its crew," Maersk said in a statement.

The Gulf of Aden is infested with Somali pirates, but is a crucial shipping channel for hundreds of merchant vessels every day. An increasing number of international warships have been moved to the region to protect them.

Maersk Virginia Captain Sean Hughes went through a similar ordeal in the Gulf of Aden in November 2008, when pirates chased him as he piloted the same vessel to safety by out-maneuvering the bandits.

[bradmanz]

Democrat president = our enemies attack us
Republican president = our enemies fear us
It's really that simple.
Posted by weedapoopl at 8:35 PM : May 22, 2009
---
So was Reagan a Democrat President in 1983 when the US Marines barracks was bombed in Beirut? How about in 1984, when the US Embassy in East Beirut was bombed? The attacks on US servicemen in Germany in 1986? 1988 Pan Am Flight 103? What did Reagan do when we got hit in Lebanon? Turned tail and ran.

It really isn't as simple as you'd like to think it is.

[DownTheMiddle]

I am confused by this pirate thing. I have been studying world events over at Huffingtin post so I am aware that the only truly evil people in the world are Bush and Cheney. Everyone else who appears to be evil like these pirates are simply victims of Bush/Cheney policy. I am sure this piracy is Bush's fault, but I don't quite see how. Can anyone help me?

[weedapoopl]

How about wisdom
Posted by bashdj at 8:56 PM : May 22, 2009

LOL! What a shill.

Yah, our enemies really respond to our WISDOM.... NOT!!!

[joe1022joe]

Pirates should not be allowed to "break off" and end a fight. Once pirates are identified on the high seas, they should be hunted down and killed - every time.

[joeydog999]

DONT EXPECT ANY HELP FROM OBAMA..HES AN IDIOT..WONDER HOW LONG BEFORE WE START FLYING THE COMMUNIST FLAG? THE 3 STOOGES LIVES,,
THE PRESIDENT,, VICE PRESIDENT AND NANCYPELOSI..

[pepperwood2]

An Italian Naval helicopter joined the Canadian aircraft. With the helicopters hovering overhead, the pirates gave up their attempted hijacking and threw their weapons overboard before their boat was boarded by Italian seamen.

Not only did they get away with trashing & contaminating the planets oceans by throwing what have you overboard but what happened to them after their boat was boarded by the Italian Seamen. Where are these Save The Planet Kooks when these pirates go about thrashing the oceans with there waste while searching out an easy target. Get serious People there's enough garbage in the Oceans without these Pirates contributing.

I don't believe they have toilets or any sanitary facilities on the rafts. Just throw your plastic bottles or beer cans overboard. When caught we will overlook this pollution and release you if you promise not to do these dastardly deeds again or again or ....... now get out of our sight and start reducing your carbon footprint. Where is Al Gores & his Sheep when you have a real problem for them to take care of?? So Sad!

[bashdj]

Oh, yes. And now President Obama has made a public declaration that the USA will not go to war unless "absolutely necessary."

Hmm, let's see. Would an enemy consider that strength, or weakness.....?
Posted by weedapoopl


How about wisdom

[weedapoopl]

Oh, yes. And now President Obama has made a public declaration that the USA will not go to war unless "absolutely necessary."

Hmm, let's see. Would an enemy consider that strength, or weakness.....?

[weedapoopl]

Here we go again.

Obama went soft on terrorism on Day 1, and he's spent his whole presidency signalling weakness, including his goofy actions like bowing down to the Saudi king.

Now we have repeated pirate attacks on U.S. ships, and even domestic terrorists in Newburgh NY.

Just like I predicted.

How did I know?

Because the same thing happened in the Clinton years.

Clinton projected an image of being soft and weak on our enemies. So our enemies were emboldened and launched an escalating series of attacks. The U.S.S. Cole attack occurred during the Clinton years, and then the planning and preparations for the 9/11 attack were already under way before Bush won the election.

After 9/11, Bush kicked butt in the Middle East, and that kept our enemies at bay.

Now Obama is in office, and our enemies are attacking again.

Democrat president = our enemies attack us

Republican president = our enemies fear us

It's really that simple.

[dennisgreen5]

These boats or small ships that these pirates are using should be captured and destroyed (sunk) and the crews arrested or put into rubber rafts and one oar to paddle their way back home. When you take their boats and guns away from them they will try to find other ways to survive. Somalia needs to do something to help these people to live better lives through honest work. The United Nations , Not just the USA, should be looking into ways to bring these changes about.

[wdh3007]

"the pirates gave up their attempted hijacking and threw their weapons overboard before their boat was boarded".

A happy ending to a good story now walk the plank you stupid pirates...

[Questionews]

Just one Idea if you have a small boat with people carring auto weppons it shold be open season on them. use them for target practice. YOu could have weekend trips to sit on a ship and shoot at Pirates
Posted by dwilson59 at 3:59 PM : May 22, 2009


I think the Cruise lines should take advantage of this opportunity & create a new ship's activity. They have rock climbing, shuffle board & skeet shooting, so why not add "The Somali pirate .50 Cal. shooting range. It would totally make the vacation to get a picture of Grandma lighting off 500 to 600 rounds at a little rubber boat. Oh the memories she could share with her friends at the Adult Foster care home. And don't forget the souvenirs!! Think of the pride she'll have showing her Pirate shin bone or the scraps of a belt buckle to all her friends. Great pictures for the photo album too!

[U-R-So-Wrong]

Don't those Pirates have an indigenous culture of piracy and the freedom to practice their religion as Piratologists without being harassed? Typical of American Fascists not to be looted or killed on behalf of Pirates, to refuse negotiations with countries whose history may be similar to Pirates, and to refuse legislation on behalf of groups in the American electorate who only want what they could have had if they were given the chance to be Pirates themselves. If only American soverignty could be breached, just to change this.

[dwilson59]

Just one Idea if you have a small boat with people carring auto weppons it shold be open season on them. use them for target practice. YOu could have weekend trips to sit on a ship and shoot at Pirates

[amer_icon]

lami987, going further, assuming Maersk Line vessels were armed, these helicopters are then used to disarm and subsequently capture the pirates.

So whats your beef then?

[rhs648]

I'm cool with letting these guys experience a real drowning, but I highly protest having them experience a simulated drowning!! That's just mean & it will hurt their feelings!
Posted by Questionews



Now that is something most people opposed to waterboarding should be able to agree with.

[amer_icon]

lami987 said: "
Maersk Lines apparently has not changed their attitude. They still are doing the same thing they did before, that is rely on tax payers to protect their own interest. They must either arm themselves or steer clear out of the danger zones. "

Maersk Lines did hold private discussions with Pentagon officials regarding their practical and legal options. While most world ports prohibit these kinds of ships from coming into their waters with weapons aboard, I'm under the impression that Maersk Line ships may have found a way to be armed while in international waters.

"Or tax payers should charge them a fee for protection on the high sea. "
Sounds good to me

[lami987]

Maersk Lines apparently has not changed their attitude. They still are doing the same thing they did before, that is rely on tax payers to protect their own interest. They must either arm themselves or steer clear out of the danger zones. They can arm their ships with armed speed boats or choppers to fight and prevent pirate's speed boats to get close enough to fire on their ships. Or tax payers should charge them a fee for protection on the high sea.

[ToolMangler1]

and Obama took the credit....!!!
Posted by vinylogy at 12:34 PM : May 22, 2009



You had best stick to installing siding and let others do your thinking.

[OregonJames]

Bloodlust when used properly can be a wonderful thing! Arm the ships and kill the pirates. It is simple, cheap, and effective.