# Somalian Pirates Seize US Crew -- Is It On? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [April 8, 2009, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/somalian-pirates-seize-us-crew-is-it-on/492397 "2009-04-08T15:10:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2009, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/somalian-pirates-seize-us-crew-is-it-on/492397/21 "2009-04-08T16:24:03Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > Deploy a carrier group, wipe \*\*them \*\*out. Bryan, you misspelled “the fuckers” above. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2009, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/somalian-pirates-seize-us-crew-is-it-on/492397/22 "2009-04-08T16:25:26Z")
I love this from the linked story: > [@](#): > > Retired Navy Cmdr. Kirk Lippold, who was in charge of the USS Cole **battleship** when it was attacked by suicide bombers in 2000, said, “Although the United States and other nations are working in a loose coalition to prevent piracy, the dwindling number of ships in our Navy amplifies the impact of this menace.” I never knew the Cole was a battleship… 😛 -XT ---
**Author:** ![tr0psn4j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/958977/32.png) [@tr0psn4j](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tr0psn4j)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2009, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/somalian-pirates-seize-us-crew-is-it-on/492397/23 "2009-04-08T16:27:24Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > Well…the reason to _not_ go in guns blazing are the lives of 20 Americans on the ship who stand a good chance of getting killed. I have faith in the abilities of SEALs to get in there and wipe out the pirates but I am hard pressed to imagine how they could do so and rescue the hostages. A ship is a labyrinth kinda thing with steel doors and the like. The pirates are going to be aware of the SEALs coming through the ship LONG before the SEALs could stop them from gunning down all the hostages. > > I’m all for kicking pirate ass but this needs to be considered. > > What I am curious about is how all these pirate ships manage to roam about unnoticed? I understand that the ocean is a big place but I thought modern technology had left huge blind spots as a thing of the past. Submarines can track ships via the noise they make from great ranges and are very good at this. Satellite photos, unmanned drones, AWACS, helicopters, planes and so on can cover huge swaths of area. They are unaware of a ship 300 miles away? Could a Russian aircraft carrier get within 300 miles of them unnoticed? I doubt it so why can’t they spot these guys? I don’t know too much about this, and it seems to be resolved already, but if I’m not mistakin’, the SEALS are trained specifically for this type of mission. That is, to slip in undetected, do what needs to be done and save the day. [It would probably go something like this.](http://blog.wired.com/defense/2008/09/seals-option-fo.html) ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2009, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/somalian-pirates-seize-us-crew-is-it-on/492397/24 "2009-04-08T16:31:59Z")
Out of curiosity here, why all the anger and over the top ‘Kill em all! The gods will surely know their own’ type comments? Yeah, it sucks that these guys are out raiding the commerce shipping in the region. However, two things. First off, AFAIK, several European nations HAVE dispatched naval vessels to the region and this has cut down (somewhat) on the attacks. Secondly, it’s not like the pirates are treating their prisoners harshly…in fact, they seem to be going out of their way to NOT treat them harshly. So…I can certainly understand why there SHOULD be a stronger naval presence in the region (which is going to translate into the US having to move a sizable force there as we are really the only ones with a Navy that can deploy long term to such a region). Got that. But I’m not seeing the fury or blood thirsty-ness aspect I guess. -XT ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2009, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/somalian-pirates-seize-us-crew-is-it-on/492397/25 "2009-04-08T16:35:21Z")
> [@xtisme](#): > > Secondly, it’s not like the pirates are treating their prisoners harshly…in fact, they seem to be going out of their way to NOT treat them harshly. Oh, well, in _that_ case… be gentle when you obliterate them. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2009, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/somalian-pirates-seize-us-crew-is-it-on/492397/26 "2009-04-08T16:46:45Z")
> [@xtisme](#): > > The problem, as I understand it, is that there is a lot of traffic in the area. And the pirates don’t exactly fly the Skull and Crossed Bones flag and go ARRRRGGGGHHHH! Unless you patrol the area constantly (which would be expensive), it’s fairly easy for them to nip in and take the occasional boat, then get the hell out of dodge with their prize and hide. That’s just it…their boats are small, fast and maneuverable. And they don’t necessarily have to “get the hell out of dodge” once they’ve boarded the vessel, either. From that point on it’s a hostage situation, and a gigantic warship can’t do anything short of sinking the seized vessel (and why would they do that). THAT’S the biggest problem, stopping them before they are aboard. Once aboard, it’s generally over (although in this case it looks like we made out OK). ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2009, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/somalian-pirates-seize-us-crew-is-it-on/492397/27 "2009-04-08T16:48:45Z")
As per CNN’s last report, the Americans have regained control of the ship. Phew! ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2009, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/somalian-pirates-seize-us-crew-is-it-on/492397/28 "2009-04-08T17:01:13Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > Just curious to hear people’s opinions on how the US should be handling this. With the usual jingoistic ignorance I bet. > [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > Deploy a carrier group, wipe them out. What did I say? > [@](#): > > “It’s that old saying: Where the cops aren’t, the criminals are going to go,” Lieutenant Christensen said. “We patrol an area of more than one million square miles. The simple fact of the matter is that we can’t be everywhere at one time.” > [@](#): > > About 15 international naval vessels, including three American Navy ships, now patrol the pirate-infested waters, many under an American-led task force created to combat piracy. We have done this topic many times and we always hear the same ignorant idiocies repeated over and over by people who have no idea what they are talking about. I suppose the way to control crime in NYC would be the same, “first we nuke Queens… then …” ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2009, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/somalian-pirates-seize-us-crew-is-it-on/492397/29 "2009-04-08T17:06:22Z")
> [@sailor](#): > > What did I say? I dunno, something about you not being able to face reality or something. ---
**Author:** ![orcenio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/orcenio/32/1036_2.png) [@orcenio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/orcenio)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2009, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/somalian-pirates-seize-us-crew-is-it-on/492397/30 "2009-04-08T17:31:52Z")
> [@sailor](#): > > We have done this topic many times and we always hear the same ignorant idiocies repeated over and over by people who have no idea what they are talking about. > > I suppose the way to control crime in NYC would be the same, “first we nuke Queens… then …” You know… I hear that solution every time some sort of thread about Israel/Palestine pops up too. ---
**Author:** ![MLS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@MLS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MLS)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2009, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/somalian-pirates-seize-us-crew-is-it-on/492397/31 "2009-04-08T17:43:07Z")
> [@ralph124c](#): > > Pay the $3 million-get these guys out, then send a cruise missile to the port the pirates use. Flatten it. > Anybody now how much marine insurance rates have increased becuase of these pirate’s activities? I don’t know about insurance, but some ocean carriers have added a “piracy risk surcharge” on all shipments through the area. It is in the neighborhood of $20 - $25 per twenty-foot container, double that for a 40-foot container. ---
**Author:** ![hobscrk777](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a6a055/32.png) [@hobscrk777](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hobscrk777)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2009, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/somalian-pirates-seize-us-crew-is-it-on/492397/32 "2009-04-08T17:45:35Z")
C’mon guys, some people are missing the opportunity here. By hunting down the pirates, we reduce the number of pirate hijackings _and_ [fight global warming](http://images.wikia.com/uncyclopedia/images/3/3a/Pirateswarming.jpg)at the same time! ---
**Author:** ![orcenio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/orcenio/32/1036_2.png) [@orcenio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/orcenio)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2009, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/somalian-pirates-seize-us-crew-is-it-on/492397/33 "2009-04-08T17:49:13Z")
> [@hobscrk777](#): > > C’mon guys, some people are missing the opportunity here. By hunting down the pirates, we reduce the number of pirate hijackings _and_ [fight global warming](http://images.wikia.com/uncyclopedia/images/3/3a/Pirateswarming.jpg)at the same time! Your chart says the contrary, my good sir. We should be breeding pirates! ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2009, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/somalian-pirates-seize-us-crew-is-it-on/492397/34 "2009-04-08T18:01:55Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > Crew retook ship from the pirates! One pirate captured. Shows what happens when the crew knows they aren’t getting a cut of the profits. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2009, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/somalian-pirates-seize-us-crew-is-it-on/492397/35 "2009-04-08T18:02:47Z")
> [@xtisme](#): > > And the pirates don’t exactly fly the Skull and Crossed Bones flag and go ARRRRGGGGHHHH! > […snip…] > The pirates don’t wear big signs saying ‘Im a Pirate!’ on their chests after all… Darn, I guess that eliminates these kids in puffy shirts trying their hand at square dancing at a Flogging Molly concert I went to (no seriously, they really did have signs on their chests that said “ARRRRRRGGGGGHHH! I’m a pirate matey!”) ---
**Author:** ![orcenio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/orcenio/32/1036_2.png) [@orcenio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/orcenio)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2009, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/somalian-pirates-seize-us-crew-is-it-on/492397/36 "2009-04-08T18:10:36Z")
> [@sailor](#): > > With the usual jingoistic ignorance I bet. > > What did I say? > > We have done this topic many times and we always hear the same ignorant idiocies repeated over and over by people who have no idea what they are talking about. > > I suppose the way to control crime in NYC would be the same, “first we nuke Queens… then …” You know what… Screw all those who want to have a rational, reasonable and intelligent discussion! Is that all what the SDMB is about? I say that when you make a thread with the word "pirates"in title, you takes yer chances… Damn fool jingoists, and damn fool Jokers are just dying to drop in. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2009, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/somalian-pirates-seize-us-crew-is-it-on/492397/37 "2009-04-08T18:26:56Z")
> [@Kalhoun](#): > > As per CNN’s last report, the Americans have regained control of the ship. Phew! I just heard on the TV three pirates may have escaped with the captain as a hostage. If so this is not quite over yet (although still better than it could have been if they had the whole ship and crew). ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2009, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/somalian-pirates-seize-us-crew-is-it-on/492397/38 "2009-04-08T18:33:31Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > I just heard on the TV three pirates may have escaped with the captain as a hostage. > > If so this is not quite over yet (although still better than it could have been if they had the whole ship and crew). The way I heard it three pirates had been thrown overboard by the crew. Quite a difference. I wonder which one it is. ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2009, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/somalian-pirates-seize-us-crew-is-it-on/492397/39 "2009-04-08T18:41:43Z")
> [@ralph124c](#): > > Pay the $3 million-get these guys out, then send a cruise missile to the port the pirates use. Flatten it. ::sigh:: How do you “flatten” a beach and what good would it do? Do you realize that Somalia’s coastline is like 2000 miles long? Do you even realize how big the sea is? It has to be frustrating for the US navy to see people on messageboards who know nothing are thinking the US Navy is run by idiots who cannot even see the obvious solutions which even know-nothings on messageboards can see. I guess the US Navy should be logging in here for advice on how they should run their operations. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2009, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/somalian-pirates-seize-us-crew-is-it-on/492397/40 "2009-04-08T18:47:49Z")
::sigh:: I just wish somebody would come along who could edumacate us poor neanderthals what don’t know nuthin’ ‘bout nuthin’. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/somalian-pirates-seize-us-crew-is-it-on/492397.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/somalian-pirates-seize-us-crew-is-it-on/492397.md?page=3)