http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100118/wl_...ece4thlead

Oh yeah, doesn't this effectively raise the price of oil by $4.50/barrel? At least on this batch.

Quote:The incident also raised fears that pirates might one day use a hijacked ship as a weapon to carry out an attack and cause unprecedented human and environmental damage

Think about that for a minute. Two million gallons of crude released on a full speed ahead crash course towards a vulnerable straight, harbor or marine sanctuary. Maybe it wouldn't make it to a grounding at a vulnerable site, but at minimum the pirates could release most of the oil before the ship is stopped.

(01-18-2010 02:32 PM)Lord Stanley Wrote:  

Quote:The incident also raised fears that pirates might one day use a hijacked ship as a weapon to carry out an attack and cause unprecedented human and environmental damage

Think about that for a minute. Two million gallons of crude released on a full speed ahead crash course towards a vulnerable straight, harbor or marine sanctuary. Maybe it wouldn't make it to a grounding at a vulnerable site, but at minimum the pirates could release most of the oil before the ship is stopped.

Not to mention that the bases for piracy attacks are very portable and they already have access to a fleet of ships. They may not be able to pilot an oil tanker all the way round the world, but they could probably sneak a moderate-sized cargo ship loaded with speedboats to just about wherever they'd like.

Quote:The incident also raised fears that pirates might one day use a hijacked ship as a weapon to carry out an attack and cause unprecedented human and environmental damage

I dunno. Not sure what the motive would be.

Using a hijacked ship - "suicide terrorist bomber" style - seems pretty unlikely. These pirates aren't in it for Allah, 72 virgins, or some radical political aim. It's all for the loot and treasure, and that's it.

Therefore, I suppose a more probable motive would be a disgruntled, PO'ed pirate who didn't get a ransom. And even then... if they kill themselves in the process of ramming a tanker into something, there's no 'living another day' to find a ship whose country will fork over the million bucks. Unlike the Al Qaeda gang, I think these guys actually don't want to die.

The Barbary Pirates of North Africa have been reeking havoc since 1776. It was America's first war on terror. The only difference is the Barbary Pirates did to the Mediterranean what the Somalia Pirates of the Horn of Africa are doing to the Gulf of Arden and the Indian Ocean. Also note it's just across the Gulf from Yemen. Lawlessness reigns supreme. Fo country.


USS Constitution

Only solution, a few of these well-placed:





F'em.

Guys, this is why God created SEALS.. to deal with asshats like these.

(01-19-2010 10:32 AM)WMD Owl Wrote:  Guys, this is why God created SEALS.. to deal with asshats like these.

Even a fast response SEAL team leaves days worth of time for pirates terrorists to inflict damage.

Best to cut off the head on land before they embark.

How come these ships aren't traveling in convoys? That's what I'd do.

(01-18-2010 04:33 PM)Motown Bronco Wrote:  

Quote:The incident also raised fears that pirates might one day use a hijacked ship as a weapon to carry out an attack and cause unprecedented human and environmental damage

I dunno. Not sure what the motive would be.

Using a hijacked ship - "suicide terrorist bomber" style - seems pretty unlikely. These pirates aren't in it for Allah, 72 virgins, or some radical political aim. It's all for the loot and treasure, and that's it.

Therefore, I suppose a more probable motive would be a disgruntled, PO'ed pirate who didn't get a ransom. And even then... if they kill themselves in the process of ramming a tanker into something, there's no 'living another day' to find a ship whose country will fork over the million bucks. Unlike the Al Qaeda gang, I think these guys actually don't want to die.

+1 This is a different group of people than the terrorists.