Suspected Pirates Captured Off Somali Coast

Navy NewsStand ^ | Jan 21, 2006 | .S. Naval Forces Central Command Public Affairs

[SandRat]

MANAMA, Bahrain (NNS) -- At approximately 3 p.m. local time Jan. 21, the U.S. 5th Fleet captured a group of suspected pirates in the Indian Ocean, approximately 54 miles off the central eastern coast of Somalia.

After receiving a report of an attempted act of piracy from the International Maritime Bureau in Kuala Lumpur on the morning of Jan. 20, the guided-missile destroyer USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81) and other U.S. naval forces in the area located the vessel of the suspected pirates and reported its position. Churchill then shadowed the vessel through the night and into the morning of Jan. 21.

At 8:03 a.m. local time Jan. 21, Churchill began querying the pirate vessel over ship-to-ship radio. Churchill requested that the crew leave the vessel and board the two small boats the vessel had in tow. Following repeated attempts to establish communications with the vessel to no avail, Churchill began aggressive maneuvering in an attempt to stop the vessel. The vessel continued on its course and speed.

At 11:31 a.m. local time, Churchill fired warning shots. The vessel cut speed and went dead in the water.

At 1:02 p.m. local time, Churchill issued a warning via ship-to-ship radio that it would begin taking further actions to force the crew to respond to questioning and depart the vessel. At 2:21 p.m. local time, Churchill fired additional warning shots, and at that time the crew of the suspected pirate vessel established communications by radio and indicated that they would begin sending personnel to Churchill via their small boat in tow.

At 2:54 p.m. local time, the master of the pirate vessel started sending members of the crew to Churchill. U.S. Navy Sailors from Churchill then boarded the suspect vessel and discovered small-arms weapons on board.

[SandRat]

060121-N-5358A-006 INDIAN OCEAN (Jan. 21, 2006) - The U.S. Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81) follows a suspected pirate vessel in the Indian Ocean Jan. 21. After receiving a report of an attempted act of piracy from the International Maritime Bureau in Kuala Lumpur on the morning of Jan. 20, the guided missile destroyer USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81) and other U.S. naval forces in the area located this vessel controlled by suspected pirates and reported its position. After some aggressive action by Churchill, US Sailors later established communications and boarded the vessel. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Information Specialist Kenneth Anderson (RELEASED)

[SandRat]

[zarf]

The USS Winston Churchill?!

Was one of his parents American? DO any other foreigners allowed to have their names attached to military ships?

[scott7278]

They'll never confess to playing for Pittsburgh.

[DogBarkTree]

I believe Winnie's mum was a Yank.

[SandRat]

His mother was.

[jazusamo]

If these are pirates and are convicted of piracy, do you know if they are subject to the death penalty?

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

Dang. Now the Democrats know this. And I'm sure that these pirates have not been read their rights. They might have been handcuffed, and maybe even missed a meal. The horror!

[dirtboy]

Was one of his parents American?

His mum was.

If there is any foreigner of the last century who deserves his name on an American naval vessel, Churchill is the man.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

Hopefully they captured Captain Feathersore from "The Wiggles."

[Xenalyte]

Arrrrrr!

[mad_as_he$$]

It is nice to know that the US NAVY still has control of the open seas. Pirates beware.We will hunt you down.

[cake_crumb]

Amazin how a few warning shots can improve the hearing...

[SandRat]

Don't know,....Tonk might,.... hey Tonk!!!!! Can you answer jazusamo's question?

[DogBarkTree]

This is great new but it's news Im sort of sorry to be hearing. Better the pirates were never seen or heard of again and the story never made public.

[neodad]

Pirates? Maybe "youths" just out fishing.

[JRandomFreeper]

She's our ship, named after a great war leader.

There's a story there. Go find it.

And she's doing yoeman's work, in rounding up pirates off of Africa. I thought we finished this business about 200 years ago. Jefferson should have paid for the five extra ships. Damn him.

/johnny

[Mr. Lucky]

Wasn't he declared an American Citizen by act of Congress?

[DogBarkTree]

"If there is any foreigner of th last century who deserves his name on an American naval vessel, Churchill is the man"
I gotta agree with you there, even if his mother was from Mars.

[yarddog]

I was hoping this would happen. I hope they make them walk the plank then keel haul them before hanging.