Somalia - Spanish fishing boat captured by pirates, crew of 26 held captive

El Pais (Madrid) ^ | April 20, 2008

[HAL9000]

via translation -

The boat tuna freezer basque Bakio Beach this Sunday has been assaulted by pirates while fishing seems to be "off the coast of Somalia, has informed the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food of the Basque Government, which has ensured that the pirates have taken control of the boat.

Apparently, according to this source, the pirates had attacked the ship with rocket-propelled grenades Spanish, although there have been no injuries among the crew of fishing. A total of 26 people make up the crew of Bakio Beach: 13 of African descent and 13 Spanish origin -5 them from the Basque Country and Galicia 8, as reported by the Foreign Ministry in a statement.

The Executive basque has ensured that the boat had suffered "some damage" in the attack, but "one can govern." According to the most recent information provided by this source, the boat is being brought ashore in the early hours of the night by pirates.

The Ministry of Defence, for its part, has ordered one of its ships that were in the vicinity of the Somali territorial waters is directed to the area of kidnapping. The Spanish Embassy in Kenya, with jurisdiction in Somalia, has already begun the initial efforts and contacts with the authorities in the area. Also, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation has contacted friends and allied countries with a presence in the area.

Moreover, Defense also has been in contact with the military authorities of countries with a military presence in the area in order to obtain the cooperation of the same in everything that involves logistical support and assistance in locating the ship concerned.

Waters unchecked

The pirate infested waters of the Indian Ocean near the Somali region of Puntland to the virtual absence of an armed Somali who patrol its territorial waters. The last known assault took place last April 4 when the luxury cruise Ponant was kidnapped. A week later, the 30 crew members were released after paying a ransom, and an operation of the special French commandos managed to arrest six pirates.

In those waters last year there were 31 pirate attacks recorded by the International Maritime Bureau, the international body that registers cases of attacks on the high seas to commercial ships. In these attacks were recorded 154 kidnappings.

[HAL9000]

The captured boat is Playa de Bakio.

[livius]

Pais Vasco and Galicia are the two big fishing areas in Northern Spain. For those who have never been to Spain, it is second only to Japan in per capita consumption of seafood.

Sadly, I don’t think Spain’s navy is worth much anymore, but I hope somebody manages to get these people back and deep six the pirates.

[jim35]

Pirates should be wiped out in a very public way, as an example to others. Hanged, drawn and quartered is a good way to start.

[1rudeboy]

The Spanish (Marines) had no trouble boarding that North Korean ship a while back. Granted, the crew was not firing upon them.

[beelzepug]

It is needed intervention of large bombers powerful to the pirates many killing.

[Polybius]

Sadly, I don’t think Spain’s navy is worth much anymore, but I hope somebody manages to get these people back and deep six the pirates.

A combined operation of French logistics and Spanish commandos seems to be what is called for next week.

Then a helicopter full of Spanish Special Forces from the Patino prepared to fly to the scene. Spanish sharpshooters on the Navarra shot out the wire cables on the cargo so that they would not interfere with the helicopter, and seven Spanish commandos slid to the deck of the cargo ship on ropes. After the Spanish discovered 15 Scuds from North Korea and missile warheads hidden under a cache of cement a team of American explosive experts arrived from the Tortuga, an American amphibious ship in the region

French commandos capture Somali pirates

[FormerACLUmember]

These are muslim pirates of Somalia. I cannot believe that no nation on earth can stop this rabble. One has the suspicion that the wire transfer ransoms go directly to al Queda:

[Wally_Kalbacken]

I’d say the gangs of LA could wipe out the Muslim Pirates of Somalia.

[FormerACLUmember]

Three Second Amendment Sisters in a Zodiac boat could wipe out the muslim pirates in about 5 minutes.

[livius]

I think a combined action (Spanish, French - and US!) would be great. The US Marines were founded to oppose Muslim piracy, which has been an affliction to the world for centuries - and was actually the inspiration for Huguenot and British piracy - and it is horrible to see this stuff suddenly emerging from the past. It’s the Islamic Creature from the Black Lagoon.

[CurlyDave]

Pirates should be wiped out in a very public way, as an example to others. Hanged, drawn and quartered is a good way to start.

I was rather hoping to see video of them walking the plank somewhere in the mid-Atlantic as the French ship came home.

[Polybius]

I think a combined action (Spanish, French - and US!) would be great.

Spain appealed to France, the United States and NATO on Monday for help in ending a crisis sparked when pirates seized 26 crew members of a Spanish fishing boat off the Somali coast. .... The defence ministry said a Spanish military frigate was heading to the area off east Africa, where the pirates have demanded money for the release of the crew, a day after storming the vessel armed with grenade launchers. .... It said the ship would arrive in 24 to 36 hours. ... It said Madrid is also in contact with "Britain and other allied countries and friends with a military presence in the area."

[livius]

That’s good...I hope we or somebody comes through. Muslim pirates virtually destroyed the economy of certain parts of Spain in past centuries, and for some reason, the Muslims are feeling all perky and full of zip and ready to try it again now.