8 Suspected Pirates Apprehended After Failed Attack on Vessel.
By Samson Desta
Sean Phelan
http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/meast/02/22/pirates.captured/index.html?iref=allsearch
Summary
In the Gulf of Aden, eight suspects were arrested for attempted piracy. They were caught trying to board the Tanzanian ship MV Barakaale 1. The ship radioed the USS Farragut, a coalition Task Force 151 destroyer, for help and a Seahawk helicopter soon arrived on scene. The pirates fled, but warning shots soon stopped them. The suspects were later taken aboard the Farragut. Officials say the Captain of the attacked ship did the best it could by not stopping and even caused one of the pirates to fall off of the ship. Because of these tactics, the number of successful raids on ships has decreased by 40%.
Connection to Class
This relates to what we are learning because it has to do with ships being able to navigate the sea. The Treaty Of Versailles stated that civilian ships can sail on international waters without fear of attack. The coalition forces were enforcing this by protecting vessels that come under attack.
Questions:
1) Do you think the US and other countries could do more about piracy?
2) Do you think the current tactics used are widely effective?
3) What more can the target ships do to avoid or stop an attack?
My Answers:
1) I don't think there is much more that can be done to help stop piracy than what is already in place. As previously stated, the amount of successful attacks has decreased by 40%, and shows that the coalition is working. I think it also helps countries to cooperate with each other.
2) I think currently used tactics that are employed are effective if the attackers don't decide to fire at the helicopter or whatever else is sent to stop them.
3) I think target ships like the MV Barakaale 1 could use more aggressive tactics in the case of a pirate actually made it aboard. Security personnel would be an example.
Comments (7)
Elizabeth P. said
at 7:18 pm on Feb 25, 2010
1. I think that maybe we could target the countries that there is pirates and maybe go in and try to stop them. Or make it more aware to their country.
2. I think that the current tactics are okay, but i think that the ships should be a little more prepared for it. So, they should maybe have the whole crew have like a place to go/thing to do if the ship is attacked.
3. I think that the target ships might be able to try and use stronger ways to try and protect / get away from the pirates.
Taylor T said
at 10:35 pm on Feb 25, 2010
1. I think the US and other countries should be on guard all the time because piracy has been happening more frequently. I don't think people take piracy as seriously as they should. People can get kidnapped while others blackmailed. People can also steal things that are on board the ship.
2. I think it is smart to have a radio to call in help, but sometimes help might be too far away to lend a hand. I think the tactics that were shown in this instance were very effective in this instance, but in other cases, it might not be.
3. I think the target ships should be bettered prepared for an attack by having weapons on board and a quick getaway. To prevent attacks at sea, people should be hired to watch the waters for signs of attempted piracy.
Edward T said
at 2:23 pm on Feb 26, 2010
1. For once I think that intervention by the United States military is warranted and appropriate. It is clear that the countries where the pirates are operating from cannot do anything about it and civilian ships are at a loss for ways to escape the pirates. Maybe we could do more, but what exactly does that mean?
2. I do think that the current tactics being employed are as effective as they can be right now. The ships cannot defend themselves any better than they currently are doing.
3. The target ships cannot do more to resist an attack. generally they are large tankers which are very slow and hard to maneuver. radioing the navy is as good as it can get because if the pirates see that the sailors have weapons then more sailors could get hurt and also it would be just plain dumb to teach every sailor how to use a gun.
Lauren S said
at 2:33 pm on Feb 27, 2010
1. I think that we could try to make piracy more known to the countries that have pirates but otherwise, I think that we have done all that we could to stop this.
2. I think that the current tactics are doing okay but i think that can be improved. I agree with Taylor when she says that there should be a radio that reaches the ships. In addition, there should be a ship or something that will go and help the ship once they called in on the radio.
3. I think that the target ship should have a way to escape the pirate attack; maybe like an extra couple of boats that can be used to escape the attacked boat.
elisa h said
at 10:39 am on Feb 28, 2010
1) Piracy is really hard to avoid because there's so much ocean that we can't monitor for hiding pirates. I think they could make security tighter when allowing boats in and out of ports so they can check and see if the boats are licensed and registered so they can be checked for being pirates. That way we can prevent piracy from even making it out onto the ocean.
2) I think the tactics they're using right now are about as good as it can get considering how hard it is to control piracy. There aren't as many pirates as there used to be and if the current tactics are preventing 40% of successful raids thats pretty good.
3) If they suspect pirates are following their ship they should get as close to help as possible and try not to act suspicious. They could also make sure there are no easy ways to get on the ship so it's harder for the pirates to climb on board.
Danny U. said
at 10:48 am on Feb 28, 2010
1. I think that the United States should always be on guard in a lot of places so no more piracy will go on. The U.S. can also help other countries that are in need of help in this situation.
2. The tactics that the U.S. are using are pretty good as long as enough forces stop the pirates in time for al the passengers to be safe.
3. One thing a target ship could do to stop an attack is to have the navy on a radio or close by so if someone is being pirated, then the target ship would have protection.
Jack B said
at 8:58 pm on Feb 28, 2010
1. I think to reduce piracy is to have a better guard on ships and boats. By this more people would be safe.
2. I think the tactics should be a little better by doubling their guards and weapons on the ships, and have a pan how to get out in case of emergence.
3. I think that for now they should be brought back to shore for a little and send ships that look like it out as a decoy, or they could have other battle ships around it incase of emergency.
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