I think this is it. Nice sail boat!
Posted on 04/04/2008 11:01:16 AM PDT by prairiebreeze
Pirates seized control of a French vessel carrying 30 crew members Friday off the coast of Somalia, the French government and the ship's owner said.
Attackers stormed aboard "Le Ponant" as it returned without passengers from the Seychelles, in the Indian Ocean, toward the Mediterranean Sea, said officials with French maritime transport company CMA-CGM.
The corporate officials said they were in close contact with the French Foreign Ministry, which said in a statement that a cruise boat and its crew had been attacked by pirates.
The ship was in the high seas in the Gulf of Aden, off the coast of Somalia in the Indian Ocean, the ministry said. At least some of the crew members are French, it said.
Pirates seized more than two dozen ships off the Somali coast last year.
The U.S. Navy has led international patrols to try to combat piracy in the region. Last year, the guided missile destroyer USS Porter opened fire to destroy pirate skiffs tied to a Japanese tanker.
Wracked by more than a decade of violence and anarchy, Somalia does not have its own navy, and a transitional government formed in 2004 with U.N. help has struggled to assert control.
The International Maritime Bureau, which tracks piracy, said in its annual report earlier this year that global pirate attacks rose 10 percent in 2007, marking the first increase in three years.
Or else France needs to get it's naval warships in the area too.
One has to wonder what Thomas Jefferson would say that this is still happening to this extent.
I have to think he'd say, "Some impressive guns placed aboard and the cajones to use them first and ask questions later, might help dissuade pirating."
Somalia.
Three guesses as to the religion. And it would all be completely justified in the ‘religion’. Stealing, lying and killing is all ok as long as you aren’t muslim, or don’t tick off the wrong muslim and they can label a non-muslim.
Did the French say no at first?
France along with the USA (Thank you for screwing us once again George Bush) is a signatory to the LOST which places an absolute prohibition on arming civilian vessels - just gun control for the oceans - working out well isn't it?
I hope Sarkozy gives these thugs something to think about.
The mere fact that Somalians can still launch such acts of piracy - is a strong indication the world has gone insane or become too weak to survive much longer....
Sooner or later - the world will have to decide its fate, by its actions against the barbarians...
Has anyone ever considered a specialized cruise. Nothing too special, just a little P.T. Some hand to hand combat training. The opportunity to fire some shotguns, AK47’s and Ma Deuces. End it with a visit to Somalia and/or other pirate infested waters.
He would once again thank God for having created the United States Marine Corps and he would once again sign the order allowing the Marines to do the nation’s work.
That would be like a water safari!
Somebody needs to get serious and downright mean towards these pirates.
What is the Pittsburgh MLB team doing in Somalia, anyway?
(wince)..ohhhh......!
LOL
Hmm, no guns eh? Well, when I think of a Somali pirate ship, a rickety wooden vessel comes to mind. Could we “arm” cruise ships with 20 pound bowling balls? I mean, a cruise ship is a tall ship...dropping bowling balls onto the deck of a wooden boat ought to do some serious damage...that or dropping a strategically placed anchor. ;o)
In article one of the U.S. constitution, congress has the right to grant marques of reprisal. This could allow them to authorize a private ship to bear arms and ‘deal’ with pirates.
I probably am remembering this wrong, but I thought treaties were the one thing that could override constitutional provisions.
Shiver me timbers!
A wee taste of grape should settle the issue.
Arrrrrrrrrrr.
I think this is it. Nice sail boat!
Wouldn’t do to let them get in range with their AK’s and RPGs
Pirates take French yacht crew hostage off Somalia
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080404/wl_africa_afp/francesomaliapiracytravel
PARIS (AFP) - Pirates boarded a French luxury cruise yacht off the coast of Somalia and took its entire 30-member crew hostage on Friday, the French military and the ship’s owner said.
The 32-cabin, four-deck yacht the Ponant, “was the victim of an act of piracy early this afternoon as it was sailing between Somalia and Yemen,” armed forces spokesman Christophe Prazuck said.
The three-masted yacht was carrying 30 crew but had no passengers on board at the time, Prazuck said.
This undated picture released by the French shipping company CMA-CGM shows the French luxury yacht "Le Ponant." Pirates boarded a French luxury cruise yacht off the coast of Somalia and took its entire 30-member crew hostage on Friday, the French military and the ship's owner said. (AFP/HO)
To err is human.
To arrgh is pirate.
Can we play “guess the religion” since it’s not mentioned?
thanks for adding the extra link
Le Ponant
Owner: Compagnie des Iles du Ponant
Operator: Classical Cruises
Call Sign: FGZZ
Year Built (acquired): 1991
Shipyard: SFCN
Class: LR
Country of Build: France
Yard number:
GT: 1489
DWT:
NRT: 956
Year of Refurbishment:
Crew: 30
Passengers: 67
Length (m): 88
Breadth (m): 12
Draught (m): 4
Cruise Area: Worldwide
I don’t see anything about armaments?
“I don’t see anything about armaments?”
I’m sure they have some nice crystal wine glasses they can use to throw a splash of burgundy in the pirates’ faces.
They were when I was off Somalia a few years ago and still are.
It seems they’ll need to provide escort to their tourism vessels then.
Does France have a Navy??
He’d support the complete leveling of entire ports and cities if thats what was needed.
Good question. I love researching law, but I don’t have time to tackle that one. If another Freeper wants to respond with an accurate answer, I would appreciate it.
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