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| Africa Horn |
| Somali Pirates Charge for Expenses While Holding Ship for Ransom |
| 2009-08-12 |
| A Somali governor says no ransom was paid for the release of an Italian tug boat that pirates held for four months. But Sanag Governor Mohamed Said Nur told The Associated Press on Tuesday that the pirates were paid $270,000 for food and other supplies used to sustain the 16-member crew of the Buccaneer since April. The vessel was anchored off the coast of Sanag. Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini has said no ransom was paid for the vessel's release on Sunday. Somali pirates are normally reimbursed for any expenses they incur as well as receiving a ransom for holding a ship. It is rare for them to accept payment for their expenses only. Somali pirates receive an estimated ransom of up to $2 million a vessel. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #5 That was SARC TW, sorry you didn't get it. |
| Posted by: Redneck Jim 2009-08-12 22:57 |
| #4 The principle still holds despite reality, Redneck Jim. As do the expense charges. After all, thing of the expense of getting the boat to the dock, the docking fees, etc. and so forth for as long as the pirate accountant's creativity holds out. |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2009-08-12 14:55 |
| #3 I read the tug was pulled into port and docked. No flying out to feed them. |
| Posted by: Redneck Jim 2009-08-12 12:38 |
| #2 Did you subtract out transportation cost, Redneck Jim? The food didn't fly itself out to the vessel by itself, you know. After the cost of labour, fuel and all, the cost per man-meal is probably more realistically $5 or so. Pirate labour is expensive! |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2009-08-12 12:22 |
| #1 My calculator says that's 43 bucks per man per meal, damn fine eating |
| Posted by: Redneck Jim 2009-08-12 01:19 |