Posted on 01/06/2009 4:14:42 PM PST by Cindy
Piracy is common off Nigeria and often linked to militants Pirates have seized a ship owned by a French company off the Nigerian coast, taking nine crew members hostage.
The company - Bourbon - said the captain had assured them that all crew members were unharmed.
Bourbon - which provides specialist boats for the oil and gas industry - said it was working to free the crew.
The hostages are from Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon and Indonesia. Piracy is common in Nigerian waters, often linked to militants targeting oil companies.
Militants attack vessels and strip them of valuables, taking hostages for ransom.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.bbc.co.uk ...
A machine gun mounted on the bridge might have prevented this.
For piracy alerts, maps, further information, please visit this site:
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Note: The following WEEKLY PIRACY REPORT is a quote:
Weekly Piracy Report
30 December 2008 - 5 January 2009
Suspicious crafts
None reported
Recently reported incidents
28.12.2008: 1950 LT: Posn: 12:01.9S - 077:11.1W, Callao anchorage, Peru.
Ten robbers boarded a bulk carrier at anchor. They took hostage one duty crew and tied his hands and legs. Robbers stole ship’s stores and property and escaped. Port control informed. A coast guard boat came and patrolled the area.
26.12.2008: Posn: 12:53.5S – 38:41.15W Bahia de Todos Os Santos, Itaparica marina, Brazil.
Two armed robbers boarded a yacht at anchor and assaulted the two crew members.
Robbers stole ship’s properties, cash and crew properties before escaping. The two
injured crew were given shore medical treatment. Authorities are investigating.
03.01.2009: 0305 LT: Posn: 03:49.6N – 077:09.4W, Buenaventura anchorage, Colombia.
One robber was sighted near the forward cargo compartment on a bulk carrier at anchor. Master raised alarm and mustered ship’s crew. Master reported to the coast guard. Later the man jumped overboard and escaped. Coast guard boarded for investigation.
04.01.2009: 05:40 UTC: Posn: 13:3.0N – 048:42.5E, Gulf of Aden.
Six pirates in one white coloured speed boat attempted to board a bulk carrier underway. Three of these pirates were armed with machine guns and opened fire on the vessel. Master carried out evasive manoeuvres and contacted a coalition warship. Within 15 minutes a helicopter arrived at the location. The speed boats moved away on seeing the helicopter. No injuries to the crew and no damages to the ship.
02.01.2009: 0807 UTC: Posn: 13:42N - 050:39E, Gulf of Aden.
Pirates in three skiffs attacked a tanker underway. They fired upon the tanker and attempted to board. Master raised alarm, contacted coalition warships, increased speed and took evasive manoeuvres. A coalition helicopter arrived and the pirates aborted the attempt.
02.01.2009: 0427 UTC: Posn: 13:11N - 047:32.5E, Gulf of Aden.
Pirates in speed boats approached a tanker underway. One speed boat was spotted four nm and the other two were drifting seven nm ahead of the tanker. Master raised alarm, increased speed, took evasive manoeuvres and crew activated anti-piracy measures. The first speed boat came within two meters of the stbd quarter and fired upon the tanker. Master saw five pirates armed with machine guns. Coalition warships contacted. Pirates aborted the attempt after five minutes.
01.01.2009: 0747 LT: Posn: 13:55N - 047:58E, Gulf of Aden.
Armed pirates attacked and hijacked a general cargo ship underway. 28 crewmembers taken hostage.
01.01.2009: 1230 UTC: Posn: 13:53N - 049:29E, Gulf of Aden.
Four pirates in a speed boat attacked a bulk carrier underway. They fired upon the ship with automatic weapons and attempted to board. Master raised alarm, increased speed and took evasive manoeuvres. Pirates aborted the attempted attack.
01.01.2009: 0337 UTC: Posn: 13:05N – 047:03E: Gulf of Aden.
Two skiffs approached a tanker underway and opened fire with automatic weapons. Master increased speed and made evasive manoeuvres, and sent a distress message via VHF radio. A warship and a helicopter were sent to assist the tanker. Upon seeing the warship and helicopter the skiff moved away.
31.12.2008: Posn: 13:8.0N – 47:27.0E: 1330 UTC: Gulf of Aden.
A bulk carrier underway was chased and fired upon by pirates in speed boat. Naval warships informed and attack was prevented. Further report is awaited.
Note: Photos included.
This is a GOOD NEWS thread:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2159765/posts
“Brits fight off deadly pirates (repelled 4 pirate attacks w/ molotov cocktails, flare guns)”
The Sun (U.K.) ^ | January 6, 2009 | DAVID WILLETTS
Posted on January 6, 2009 11:34:01 AM PST by Stoat
I agree.
Next one should be crewed by the Foreign Legion. No quarter.
So... any rules saying they cannot have compound bows or crossbows???
Hey, why let the Somalis have all the fun?
If piracy is protected by “international law” then why not let’s everybody have at it?
Honestly, I think something as simple as lining the rails with side-by-toting clay bird shooters and putting 5-gallon buckets full of 8-1/2s at their feet would be vast improvement over the status quo: “PULL!”
Zut alors!
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