http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/maritime/ en-us Mon, 21 Jul 2008 18:11:20 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2048899/posts DEBKAfile’s military sources report that Operational Brimstone, starting Monday, July 21, aimed at giving military teeth to the two-week ultimatum the six world powers gave Iran in Geneva Saturday to accept the suspension of uranium enrichment or face harsh sanctions and isolation. The penalty of withholding refined oil products from Iran would be exercised by means of a partial international naval blockade of its Gulf ports. Taking part in the 10-day exercise in the Atlantic Ocean are more than a dozen ships, including the US carrier strike group Theodore Roosevelt and expeditionary strike group Iwo Jima; the French submarine Amethyste,... Debka.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2048899/posts#comment Mon, 21 Jul 2008 18:11:20 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2043241/posts Somali pirates took a 750,000 dollar ransom for the release of 15 crew and their German-owned ship after a 41-day hostage ordeal... "Tuesday morning, when pirates finally got the money they wanted, they counted it from seven in the morning until six in the evening and then they finally left," ... He did not say who paid the ransom or how it was delivered. Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet had earlier told the daily Eesti Paevaleht that the state was not involved in any ransom payment. "We don't make deals with terrorists," Paet said. The German-owner of the ship, the... AFP http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2043241/posts#comment Thu, 10 Jul 2008 03:15:14 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2042111/posts The U.S. Navy said on Monday it was carrying out an exercise in the Gulf, days after vowing that Iran will not be allowed to block the waterway which carries crude from the world's largest oil-exporting region. "The aim of Exercise Stake Net is to practice the tactics and procedures of protecting maritime infrastructure such as gas and oil installations," Commodore Peter Hudson said in a U.S. Fifth Fleet statement. Reuters http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2042111/posts#comment Mon, 7 Jul 2008 23:51:47 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2034640/posts Excerpt - Rescuers who have reached a ferry sunk by a typhoon in the Philippines and carrying more than 700 people say they have recovered only three survivors. The Princess of the Star ran aground after being hit by massive waves caused by typhoon Fengshen. ~ snip ~ Sky News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2034640/posts#comment Sun, 22 Jun 2008 10:02:57 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2034254/posts Like a monster in a horror flick franchise, the Law of the Sea Treaty (LOST), an omnibus treaty originally blocked by President Ronald Reagan, is back! And despite what the doomsday document's delirious spokesmen say, it's about as scary as ever. The convention is being pushed by a mix of activists, who support international law -- any international law -- and businesses, such as the International Association of Drilling Contractors, that see visions of profits dancing in their boardrooms. Treaty critics are being dismissed as ignorant fools or cynical liars. American Spectator http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2034254/posts#comment Sat, 21 Jun 2008 09:35:05 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2030921/posts The U.S. Navy extended an open invitation this week to the Russian Federation Navy to join forces for missions on the world’s high seas. Both marine forces have increased their presence around the globe. The U.S. Navy asked the Russians to join the Navy’s new maritime initiative, a plan much different from the sea-combat strategies of yesteryear — those of fighting in deep blue water to sink other navies or deliver missiles inland from the oceans. Now, focus is placed on maintaining safe seas, delivering humanitarian aid, disaster response and countering terrorism. "The point that we brought out in discussions... Stars and Stripes http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2030921/posts#comment Sat, 14 Jun 2008 02:51:21 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2027959/posts The navy of Liechtenstein probably could manage this task. Anyhow, the article: "The Swedish navy says it’s prepared to send ships to the Horn of Africa to fight piracy there. This comes after the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution allowing UN member countries to enter Somalia’s territorial waters to help stop the illegal capture of shipping in the area. In its response to a government query on the issue, the Swedish military says it can send two corvettes and a support ship to the region in September or October for a three month tour. Last year 25 ships... www.sr.se http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2027959/posts#comment Sun, 8 Jun 2008 18:24:39 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2025047/posts Foreign ships gained authorization Monday to enter Somali waters when fighting piracy and armed robbery — rampant problems along the African nation's lawless coast. The U.N. Security Council's 15 members unanimously adopted a resolution intended to combat the attacks and hijacking of vessels along the country's 1,880-mile coastline, the continent's longest. More than a dozen pirate attacks have occurred this year alone, creating concerns for shipping along routes that connect the Indian Ocean with the Red Sea. Two more ships were attacked in the Gulf of Aden last week. The resolution, pushed by France and the United States, is in... Associated Press http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2025047/posts#comment Tue, 3 Jun 2008 00:05:11 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2009445/posts A plague of piracy off the Somali coast, with six vessels seized so far this year and many more attacked or threatened, has prompted the UN Security Council to consider a tougher counter-attack by the world’s navies. The latest victims were the 26 crew of a Spanish fishing boat, freed unharmed at the weekend after a $1.2m (€770,000, £606,000) ransom was paid, according to Somali officials. Earlier this month French forces captured six hijackers of a French yacht after pursuing them on to land and recovering a reported $2m ransom. The pirates were taken to France, where they are awaiting... Financial Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2009445/posts#comment Thu, 1 May 2008 00:36:07 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2008898/posts A second American aircraft carrier steamed into the Persian Gulf Tuesday as the Pentagon ordered military commanders to develop new options for attacking Iran. CBS News national security correspondent David Martin reports that the planning is being driven by what one officer called the "increasingly hostile role" Iran is playing in Iraq - smuggling weapons into Iraq for use against American troops. CBS news http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2008898/posts#comment Wed, 30 Apr 2008 00:11:34 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2006906/posts A vessel contracted by the Navy in the Persian Gulf fired warning shots Thursday on two Iranian fast boats, FOX News has learned. The Westward Venture, a ship contracted by the Navy to carry military cargo to Kuwait, fired upon the boats Thursday after attempts to get Iranian boats' attention failed. The ship was about 50 miles off the coast of Iran when the fast boats approached. A Navy security team, armed with M16 rifles and .50-caliber machine guns, was onboard at the time the warning shots were fired. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2006906/posts#comment Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:03:09 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2006927/posts NEW YORK (AP) -- Oil prices rose sharply Friday on news reports that a ship under contract to the U.S. Navy fired warning shots at two Iranian boats. The report on Fox News raised concerns that a conflict between U.S. and Iranian forces could cut oil supplies from the Persian Gulf region. Light, sweet crude for June delivery rose $2.85 to $118.91 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange after earlier rising as high as $119.50. Prices were already up before the report on news of a pipeline attack in Nigeria and a looming refinery strike in Scotland. At... AP http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2006927/posts#comment Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:48:10 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2007425/posts THE crew of a Spanish fishing boat seized by pirates off Somalia have been freed... The Playa de Bakio trawler has been taken to "safer waters", escorted by a Spanish warship, and the government is making plans to repatriate the 13 Spaniards and 13 Africans, she said. Speaking at a press conference, she did not indicate the circumstances in which the crew were released, or whether a ransom had been paid. Spanish news media said earlier a ransom of 1 million euros...had been demanded, and negotiations were taking place at a London hotel. The 76-metre trawler and its crew were... Australian http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2007425/posts#comment Sat, 26 Apr 2008 20:49:05 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2004613/posts Oil prices have spiked to a record of $117.40 a barrel after a Japanese oil tanker was attacked in the Middle East, off the east coast of Yemen. Breitbart http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2004613/posts#comment Mon, 21 Apr 2008 09:29:36 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2004480/posts 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... El Pais (Madrid) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2004480/posts#comment Sun, 20 Apr 2008 22:10:32 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2003066/posts Six Somali men involved in capturing a French yacht and holding its 30 crew hostage have said they were part of a maritime militia group with a written code of conduct... The men were captured in the Somali desert by French troops on Friday after holding the yacht and its crew off Somalia for a week and fleeing with part of the ransom, which was recovered. They were flown to France this week to face trial. The yacht's captain told investigators the ransom paid was $2 million (1 million pounds). But the half-dozen men are just part of a larger... swissinfo http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2003066/posts#comment Thu, 17 Apr 2008 20:24:02 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2000574/posts TEHRAN, Iran (CNN) -- Iran denied a report that several of its boats taunted a U.S. Navy vessel in the Persian Gulf on Thursday night, according to IRNA, Iran's official news agency. A U.S. military official told CNN Friday that the USS Typhoon, a small patrol craft, was approached by three small Iranian boats in a "taunting manner." "There has been no confrontation between Iranian boats and the U.S. [Fifth] Fleet," IRNA quoted an unnamed Iranian source as saying. CNN http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2000574/posts#comment Sat, 12 Apr 2008 16:49:56 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2000462/posts via translation - France calls for "international force" against maritime piracy TOKYO - France calls for the creation of an "international force" under a UN mandate to combat acts of piracy at sea, such as the diversion of Ponant by Somalis, said Saturday french Prime Minister Francois Fillon you! a visit to Japan. "We are going to ask that under UN mandate an international force, to which France is naturally ready to participate, to work towards the safety and security of maritime transport in the region, as in the Malacca Strait," said M . Fillon in a speech before the... AFP via translation http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2000462/posts#comment Sat, 12 Apr 2008 10:18:03 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2000311/posts SOMALIA: 6 PIRATES ARRESTED AFTER THE SEIZURE OF "PONANT" (AGI) - Paris, 11 April. - Some of the pirates who took part in the seizure of the French yacht "Ponant" off Somalia were arrested soon after the freeing of 30 members of the crew who had been taken hostage. This statement was released by the General Jean-Louis Goergelin of the French armed forces. The arrest of six pirates took place one hour after the release of the hostages, once the thirty members of the crew were landed. The six pirates were held aboard a French ship. AGI News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2000311/posts#comment Fri, 11 Apr 2008 23:03:58 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2000126/posts Nothing followed. Foxnews http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2000126/posts#comment Fri, 11 Apr 2008 16:57:07 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2000121/posts Updates welcome. The story just showed up. Casus belli ? FOX http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2000121/posts#comment Fri, 11 Apr 2008 16:54:50 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1998670/posts The mayor of a small coastal village in northern Somalia dismissed media reports that the 288 feet French luxury yacht Le Ponant hijacked by pirates on Friday Apr. 4 in the Gulf of Aden has anchored near the village of Eyl, 500ikm north of the Somali capital Mogadishu. Abdullahi Said O'Yusuf, the mayor of Eyl, told Africa’s Radio Garowe last night that the hijacked French yacht had passed Eyl and headed south towards coastal waters off the region of Mudug, in central Somalia. Initial reports were that the French yacht and its 32-member crew had docked near the coastal... sail-world.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1998670/posts#comment Tue, 8 Apr 2008 22:06:32 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1997554/posts MOGADISHU, Somalia: A French luxury yacht seized by pirates in the Gulf of Aden with 30 crew on board has arrived in northern Somalia, officials and fishermen said Sunday. International Hearald Tribune http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1997554/posts#comment Sun, 6 Apr 2008 14:57:38 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1997280/posts OTTAWA -- The federal government has laid charges against the anti-sealing vessel Farley Mowat, which was involved in a confrontation with sealers near Cape Breton last weekend. Fisheries and Oceans announced Sunday an investigation into a high-seas confrontation between the Farley Mowat and sealers on Mar. 30 has ended in charges laid against the vessel's captain, Alexander Cornelissen, and first officer, Peter Hammarstedt. "The seal hunt is a humane, sustainable, and legal activity, and our government is committed to protecting the safety and security of sealers," said Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Loyola Hearn. "This guides our decisions on the... Canwest News Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1997280/posts#comment Sat, 5 Apr 2008 20:08:43 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1997169/posts The Le Ponant pleasure yacht was seized Friday in international waters opposite Somalia without passengers on route from the Seychelles to Aden Port and the Mediterranean after its first pleasure trip of the summer season in the Indian Ocean. The 32-man crew was taken hostage. Our shipping correspondent reports that the French Le Commandant Rouen warship was diverted from NATO’s Afghanistan operation to join the Yemeni coast guard in the hunt for and rescue of the captured craft. The Le Ponant caters to 64 high-profile luxury tourists, one of three owned by Le Compagnie Des Iles du Ponant, a... Debka.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1997169/posts#comment Sat, 5 Apr 2008 14:39:50 GMT