Article

2008-04-07 Africa Horn

Pirates holding French yacht shoot at militia

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Posted by anonymous5089 2008-04-07 08:22|| || Front Page|| [6 views ] Top

#1 Btw, the GIGN has some experience re somalis :

The liberation of 30 children from a bus captured by the FLCS (front de libération de la côte somalienne, "Somali Coast Liberation Front") in Djibouti in 1976.

Posted by anonymous5089 2008-04-07 08:26|| 2008-04-07 08:26|| Front Page Top

#2 Something like this, perhaps?:

"You on the Ponant, this is the GIGN. Surrender or die."

Stay back! We have hostages!"

"Fuck your hostages. Surrender or die, no other choices."

"Uh-oh..."

Posted by Chief Running Gag">Chief Running Gag 2008-04-07 11:07|| 2008-04-07 11:07|| Front Page Top

#3 I'd like to know how the pirates captured the yacht, what kind of boat they used, how far off Somalia this incident took place and if there was any kind of a chase. One would think by now that most yacht captains would know enough to avoid Somalian waters as much as possible. But it might be fun to get the French navy involved.

Posted by Abu Uluque (aka Ebbang Uluque6305) 2008-04-07 11:50|| 2008-04-07 11:50|| Front Page Top

#4 The Ponant was seized on Friday with its 30-strong crew as it sailed through the Gulf of Aden.

Not very "strong", were they?

Of the ship's 30-strong crew, 22 are French, and most of the others are Ukrainian or Korean. Six are women.

Ah. THAT explains it. The French, not the women, that is...

Posted by ptah">ptah 2008-04-07 12:04|| http://www.crusaderwarcollege.org]">[http://www.crusaderwarcollege.org] 2008-04-07 12:04|| Front Page Top

#5 Of the ship's 30-strong crew, 22 are French, and most of the others are Ukrainian or Korean. Six are women.

Actually it explains a lot, these are more like hotel staff, not real Seamen, the women are probably along the lines of stewardesses and Cabin cleaners (Maids).

Posted by Redneck Jim">Redneck Jim 2008-04-07 14:01|| 2008-04-07 14:01|| Front Page Top

#6 I will not mock the nationality or any other attribute of the members of the crew of this ship.

They are crewing a pleasure craft, and ought to be able to consider themselves safe from Islamothugs piloting zodiacs and bristling with grenade launchers.

Working on these ships is crummy enough without having to worry about becoming a hostage of the caliphate.

Posted by Seafarious 2008-04-07 14:14|| 2008-04-07 14:14|| Front Page Top

#7 Agreed. Once upon a time the world had a navy that delighted in hunting down and hanging pirates. We should revive that tradition.

Posted by Steve White">Steve White 2008-04-07 14:42|| 2008-04-07 14:42|| Front Page Top

#8 Unfortunately, the RN hsa disappeared. But the French will arrive soon.

Posted by Nimble Spemble 2008-04-07 14:55|| 2008-04-07 14:55|| Front Page Top

#9 Perhaps some 30mm through the bridge would help...

Posted by Chief Running Gag">Chief Running Gag 2008-04-07 15:04|| 2008-04-07 15:04|| Front Page Top

#10 Some of you who are more familiar with the area's geography will already know this but the Google map on Nimble Spemble's link makes it much more clear what the situation off Somalia is. Anyone who wants to use the Suez Canal must pass through the Gulf of Aden, through the Bab-el-Mandeb strait to get to the Red Sea and the canal. Somalia, then, is in a very strategic location and so it seems that somebody's navy really should be on patrol there. And pirates, of course, must be hanged. Maybe it's not a high priority because Islamonuts and common criminals still find luxury yachts easier prey than a super tanker full of oil . But it would be gratifying if some of these pirates were blown out of the water.

Posted by Abu Uluque 2008-04-07 15:38|| 2008-04-07 15:38|| Front Page Top

#11 You'd think that just parking a frigate out in the area, as Abu Uluque says, would help deter the pirates.

Posted by Steve White">Steve White 2008-04-07 20:49|| 2008-04-07 20:49|| Front Page Top

#12 I'd run some bait out and shoot the shit out of attackers, but I'm that way....

Posted by Frank G">Frank G 2008-04-07 21:01|| 2008-04-07 21:01|| Front Page Top

#13 Yup a very Nice Sailing Schooner crewed by U. S. Marines should so it.
(Armed to the teeth almost goes without saying.)

Posted by Redneck Jim">Redneck Jim 2008-04-07 21:25|| 2008-04-07 21:25|| Front Page Top

#14 I'm sorry, some Rantburgians don't have thumbs.
Could you give coordinates for Africa please.

Posted by Squinty Threreger7693 2008-04-07 22:52|| 2008-04-07 22:52|| Front Page Top

#15 How bout a sub with an itchy trigger finger.

Make some good reality tv.

Posted by Slappy 2008-04-07 23:20|| 2008-04-07 23:20|| Front Page Top

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