Russian Destroyer Frees Hijacked Tanker

[DennisM]

From today's NY Times

[MarkJ]

Good to see the Russians do something the rest of the gutless worlds navies have refused to do!


Its the only way to stop piracy.

[hummingway]

Finally they're willing to prosecute!

[Stillraining]

+1 for Russia...Off to a Gulag Prison and good ridins..

[SabreKai]

Well that took a tad less time than I thought it would.

Anyway, I'm pleased to see the Russian Navy out there doing its thing. The world will soon be short 10 Somalian pirates. I hope they do the entire show trial thing and broadcast it to the world including the executions.

I am curious as to the bit about radical islamic insurgents taking over the town Xaradheere or whatever its called. Did they come for the money or because they want to emulate the pirates who are becoming a royal pain in the backside. Seems to me that the pirates have had a lot more success than Al Queda lately at a very low cost in men and materials. Perhaps the AQ leadership sees a new opportunity here.

Sabre

[Intentional Drifter]

There was a time when national navies dealt with pirates summarily and finally. Perhaps the Russians recall that time and intend to keep on in that tradition. Seems like the rest of us have forgotten.

ID

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by SabreKai

Perhaps the AQ leadership sees a new opportunity here.

Sabre

Perhasps Al Qeda is behind it!!

Remember all those prisiones who escaped Yamini prison in a mass break out a few years ago? Guess who they were and what they are doing now.

The Yemen part of it all is much downplayed.

When we were in Oman we say a Russina navy ship there. they are not allowed to do normal sector patrols because no one in NATO trusts them so they run convoys.

I saw 2 Russinan officers off that ship whilst we were on a British ship and the Russian Officers were pleased as punch to be there on the UK warship. I thought it was odd at the time... but now I know... the rest of Eurpoe slags off at Russia... but now maybe people are learing that they are doing good things

[osirissail]

It sounds like a "catch-22" situation is developing. If the owners of the tankers keep paying because it is significantly cheaper to pay the ransom than re-route the ships around Africa, then more "poor" young Somalians and others will take up the pirate profession. The major countries send their fleets to "capture" the pirates and then take them to their capital and put them on trial. They get prison terms of "x" years during which they are fed, housed and taken care of medically. All of which is an enormous degree better than what they left back in Somalia. So more young people enter the pirate profession. . .

[Lost Horizons]

Unfortunately, it turned to be another "catch and release" game. Are they trying to further motivate piracy?!

http://news.stv.tv/world/175282-russ...-no-crew-hurt/

"Investigators initially announced plans to bring the pirates to Moscow for prosecution, but later backtracked, saying no final decision had been taken.
However, state-run news agency RIA Novosti quoted an unnamed defence ministry official as saying the pirates were disarmed and released as there was no legal basis to detain them. The defence ministry was unavailable for comment late on Thursday."

[sabray]

Originally Posted by osirissail

It sounds like a "catch-22" situation is developing. If the owners of the tankers keep paying because it is significantly cheaper to pay the ransom than re-route the ships around Africa, then more "poor" young Somalians and others will take up the pirate profession. The major countries send their fleets to "capture" the pirates and then take them to their capital and put them on trial. They get prison terms of "x" years during which they are fed, housed and taken care of medically. All of which is an enormous degree better than what they left back in Somalia. So more young people enter the pirate profession. . .

Not sure this still holds true but the US state of MD used to have great dental care for it's inmates. This may explain why I see so many boats on the Chesapeake with pirate flags.

[Bash]

what made this rescue possible is that the hijacked ship had a compartment where the crew could lock themselves in, shut down the propulsion system, and radio for help.

is it possible we cruisers could learn from this? the weak point on my boat, as presently configured, is the companionway. you wouldn't need an AK 47 to kick in that hatch. But....

[RedBellies]

Hmmm... anybody know where I can get a jolly roger? I have a loose filling...

[Misiu]

Originally Posted by Lost Horizons

Unfortunately, it turned to be another "catch and release" game. Are they trying to further motivate piracy?!

Russian forces seize oil tanker from Somali pirates | World | STV News

"Investigators initially announced plans to bring the pirates to Moscow for prosecution, but later backtracked, saying no final decision had been taken.
However, state-run news agency RIA Novosti quoted an unnamed defence ministry official as saying the pirates were disarmed and released as there was no legal basis to detain them. The defence ministry was unavailable for comment late on Thursday."

I think here is the problem (from Wiki):

"...There are legal barriers to prosecuting individuals captured in international waters. Countries are struggling to apply existing maritime law, international law, and their own laws, which limits them to having jurisdiction over their own citizens. According to piracy experts, the goal is to "deter and disrupt" pirate activity, and pirates are often detained, interrogated, disarmed, and released. With millions of dollars at stake, pirates have little incentive to stop.
Prosecutions are rare for several reasons. Modern laws against piracy are almost non-existent. For example, the Dutch are using a 17th-century law against "sea robbery" to prosecute. Warships that capture pirates have no jurisdiction to try them, and NATO does not have a detention policy in place. Prosecutors have a hard time assembling witnesses and finding translators, and countries are reluctant to imprison pirates because they would be saddled with them upon their release. ..."

[Stillraining]

Answer= Take no Prisoners

[David M]

When you think about it, what the Somalians are doing is not a whole lot different than a government applying a tax.

The Somalians collect their taxes by threatening you with a gun. Governments collect their taxes by threat of jail time. At least with the Somalian method, there is the chance for escape.