'Nuff said...

 

Funny story, my dad just got a job as software project manager at insitu.

 

I'm happy with the end result. Lives were lost yes, but they put themselves in that situation. Hopefully next time they stay the **** away from the ships.

And the only credit that should be given is to the men that took those shots. Not the guy that gave the OK late in the game. Just my own personal

 

the outcome was badass.

but remember, it's not just "shoot a guy day" out there, it's a foreign policy thing too. 3 sniper rounds is not a solution for the big picture.

 

i think the pirates are bad ***, its been going on for so long it seems funny to me that they cant be stoped.

 

As someone who has a bit of an inside track on this whole thing, let me break it down for you without the bullshit.

IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THE POLICY OF THE INSURANCE COMPANY. There is nothing legal preventing shipping companies from arming their crews. Lloyds does not allow, VIA POLICY, arming of crews on ships that it insures. Their public policy to deal with the problem is to pay the ransom to get the ship back after a standard term of negotiations. If the pirates want $1mil in order to release a $5mil ship holding $10mil worth of cargo, and spare the lives of the crew, they'll pay... they'll simply pay.

I know a bit about small-boat tactics. To adequately defend a 1000ft-long ship, you'll need a minimum of 4x.50cal and 2 bodies per weapon to defend the ship at the range required to ensure nothing gets within RPG range. Small caliber crew served weapons and sniper rifles are not adequate. RPG's are the primary threat. One round penetrating the hull can start a fire that will sink the ship. This of course is not the goal of the pirates, but if crews start fighting back, the pirates will start sinking ships to deter it. This is what the insurance companies are afraid of, and this is why Lloyds will not allow it.

In the end, paying out ensures they get the ship (and crew) back. They'd rather pay 20 ransoms rather than risk a ship being sunk.

 

Like most things in life, this is complicated, but most people will be happy to see a few guys killed, politicians smile and then forget about it. Pirates of the Somali coast | Marketplace Scratch Pad | Marketplace from American Public Media

 

the funny thing about pirates is.... why are they admired?

like the disney ride "pirates of the carribean". people romanticize them.

Will disneyland in 50 years start work on the Al Qa3da ride? wtf.

 

If they do, I am sure it will Bomb.