American Crew Retakes Ship from Pirates; Captain Held Hostage in Life-Boat - Video 4/9/09

Freedom's Lighthouse ^ | April 9, 2009 | BrianinMO

[Federalist Patriot]

Here is an updated video report this morning on the hostage situation that has resulted from the hijacking of an American-flagged Cargo Ship yesterday by Somali Pirates. The ship is back under the control of the American crew who fought back and retook the ship. But some of the pirates escaped into a life-boat and took the captain of the ship, Richard Phillips with them as a hostage, demanding ransom for his release. The U.S. Navy is now in the vicinity of the life-boat, but say there is little they can do without putting the life of the hostage at risk. . . . . . (Watch Video)

[NCBraveheart]

Jefferson dealt with this crap 200 years ago. Sadly, we will do nothing except beg the UN for permission to defend ourselves

[DieHard the Hunter]

Nicely done, American crew. Hopefully there are a few very sore pirates tied up and uncomfortable in the hold. Or in Davy Jones’ Locker better still.

Big mistake taking the Captain hostage. Things will not go well for the pirates.

[Venturer]

What you do is sink the lifeboat and let the capt, and his captors swim for it.

If they decide to kill him the answer is simple, kill them.

[DJ MacWoW]

The Captain’s S-i-L said that he offered himself as a hostage in order to free his crew.

[jdsteel]

From the shores of Tripoli...calling them Leathernecks...came from this same thing. These commercial ships need to have weapons to protect themselves. We need to bring back some punishment for being a pirate. They used to hang them. Now, maybe we could send them to Cuba!

[shadeaud]

The Captain (in command) is now in charge of this kidnapping situation and my understanding is that he is getting orders from the company that owns the ship. Now if the U.S. Navy were to just happen to perform some training exercises with some underwater activity(those pesky SEALs) and just happen to bump into the lifeboat and just happen to save a ‘’drowning passenger’’ in the life boat who happens to be an American while the others unfortunately are lost at sea, well que sirrah sirrah(sp).

[Truth29]

There are simple ways to deal with this hostage situation and with the pirate situation in general. The US and the rest of the victim alliance just won't use them. We are getting the statements that the issues are complex. We need diplomacy, the UN and economic aid, etc.

How about telling the hostage takers that we want the Captain back uninjured and unharmed immediately and if it is otherwise, they will all be killed themselves. How about stop all pirating or A10s will start commuting up and down the Somali beaches, etc. But no, we would never do something so simple and effective...

[shadeaud]

Fox just reported that a money drop is eminent. Now that is truly chicken s___t diplomacy

[DJ MacWoW]

Fox just reported that a money drop is eminent. Now that is truly chicken s___t diplomacy

That depends upon what they do after they have the Captain back.

[jpp113]

Just what I was thinking..identify where the Capt. is on the lifeboat, Seals swim up, double tap the pirates - it would be over before the pirates even knew what had happened.

[Dixie Yooper]

Send Secretary Clinton to the lifeboat to negotiate with the captors. If she can't make it, Jessie Jackson would love to get some good press.

[Maine Mariner]

The man being held hostage is Captain Murphy. (I don't know his first name).
His father Captain Joseph Murphy is a long time instructor
at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. Both captains are highly regarded in the profession

[Robe]

FYI..Most modern life boats look like this...

They are designed to self right if rolled over.. Real hard to ID the occupants

Must be Really uncomfortable in there right now in that heat...

[NCBraveheart]

Two Words.........CHUCK NORRIS!!!!!

[DJ MacWoW]

The quotes that I read last night were about an honorable man. Prayers that he’s released, unharmed.

[NavyCanDo]

What vessel did they use to attack the ship? They are 350 miles offshore. Somewhere I would think there lies wait the pickup boat. Certainly the raft was not meant to take them all the way home.

[Thank You Rush]

“”How about stop all pirating or A10s will start commuting up and down the Somali beaches, etc. But no, we would never do something so simple and effective...””

These pirates were 300+ miles offshore - we do have the right to be in international waters (13 miles, I believe)so why DON’T we have a show of force in the area?? Good suggestion you have.

I’m waiting for ZERO to pay $50M in ransom to help his Muslim buddies - after Italy gets $50,000 - so far unconfirmed, I believe.

[NavyCanDo]

The news media is reporting that the ship is asking the navy to stand off. Don't believe that for a minute. The Navy will take charge of the situation unless Obama gives the stand down order.

And any negotiation should go this way: There are four of you and a whole lot of us, You are stuck in a life raft without gas, we are on a destroyer that within a blink of an eye can blow you all to hell, and the port you set sail from. You decide how this is to end. You can surrender now, or add another verse to the Marine Corps Hymn.

[acsrp38]

“to the shores of Somalia”???