Iranian-Backed Houthi Terrorists Seize Cargo Ship In Red Sea

Daily Wire ^ | Nov 19, 2023 | By Ryan Saavedra

[VanShuyten]

What is the current law of the sea concerning pirates? Keel-hauling or hanging from the yardarm?

[Red Badger]

Summary execution.....................

[minnesota_bound]

Yemen govt obviously provided the pilot and the helicopter.

[JohnBovenmyer]

I'm not sure what international "law" currently states, but you are correct in recognizing this as piracy. Moreover it is the standard form of piracy in the world at the time of our Founding and for most of the past 1500 years. The Hollywood romanticized Caribbean/ libertarian form of piracy was a minor blip in comparison. Now I don't know of any non-international reason for us to become involved in this case nor do I have hopes for any favorable changes to the international rules applicable. But for where there are clear US interests, as there was at our Founding when 1/4 of the federal budget was consumed by paying off pirates, we can revise our rules.

Article I § 8 The Congress [ie. not Biden] shall have power: …
    To define and punish piracies and felonies committed on the high seas, and offences against the law of nations;
    To declare war, grant letters of marque and reprisal, and make rules concerning captures on land and water;

IIRC European countries signed a treaty to ban letters of marque and reprisal, but the US declined to sign it. I wonder if Elon Musk might like to buy one.

[Elsie]

Where’s Captain Phillips when you need him?

[Elsie]

What is the current law of the sea concerning pirates?

You'll have to ask the maritime division of Lloyd's of London.

[Elsie]

Seems I remember an old song stating something about the shores of Tripoli...

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

If your ship is armed and not a military vessel you will be refused entrance to most ports.

I wonder if there would be a market for armory ships who would hold your small arms while you are in port for a small fee?

[Paul R.]

Vid of the attack:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oq-CuORNJcs

Starts about 1:30.

[Paul R.]

Small arms?

The crew needed a lookout and a Stinger (or a Javelin would do nicely too.)

[Paul R.]

I’ve heard references to another Houthi cruise missile shot down by a US ship, but nothing definite? Had to be in the last few days, I think...

[JohnBovenmyer]

Yup. Back then 8 Marines were enough to take over an Islamic government. Of course it helped that their commander in chief had a positive IQ.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

A couple of 50 cals would do enough damage to keep most pirates that are not state sponsored away.

For the state actors, not much you can do.

[Elsie]

Those are NOT ‘pirates’; but PRIVATEERS.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Granted but most people use the words interchangeably any more.

[Elsie]

True.

I just learned the difference myself a couple of weeks ago.

[Elsie]

True.

I just learned the difference myself a couple of weeks ago.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Vocabulary is not often taught anymore.

I figure if it was not for pirate movies being lucrative I would have to refer to them as "sea muggers" for people to know what I was talking about.

[Elsie]

...or ship jackers.