they got another US boat

[dadofthree]

Time for another drowning

 

[dadofthree]

Turn this into a political thread if you wish, but I recently read that no other U.S. flagged ship has been hijacked for the last 200 years. That kind of pokes a few holes in the political arguement you're making.

Shipping companies have insurance for a reason. At some point it might become more beneficial for them to make some investment in protecting their, and their customer's, property and employees.

I'm always confused when anti-government conservatives start screaming for government intervention in free market economics. Why should taxpayer dollars be spent because shipping companies won't adequately invest in security? Welfare for the wealthy again...

It's just my opinion, but when this first hit the news my first thought was, " they know the current admin is weak "

 

[2fast4u2c]

I don't think ODDs have anything to do with it. From Living in both West and East Africa for years, they (along with land rebels) are VERY high tech and are VERY selective on targets as to what, when and where. Don't ever think these guy are just a bunch of dumies running around and just taking whatever comes along. They have weapons, advance radar, mother ships, aircraft and advance shipping contacts. So, let's not think the leaders are just guessing who to take and when. A ship taken 350 miles out to sea with the knowledge of ADVANCE NAVYs patroling is not taken lightly. Remember we left Mogadishu after getting out Butts kicked by these low rate thugs. And yes, I was there under the "OTHER" don't hurt anyone administration.

And Yes this is a sore spot with me, because it could be stopped very easly ! But of course that would take LEADERSHIP and Not CampaignShip !

You said it right brother. LEADERSHIP is the key. And we are now keyless and being dismantled.

Guy

 

[F=MA]

It's just my opinion, but when this first hit the news my first thought was, " they know the current admin is weak "

That's understandable d.o.t., given the amount of animosity promoted by those who make their living fanning the flames of fear and bigotry on AM radio and cable "news". Regardless whether we choose to subject ourselves to these demagogues or not, their vile message has permeated our society. We are collectively worse for it while they enrich themselves by exploiting the emotions of those who aren't able (or willing) to step back for a moment and use logic and reason to examine an issue.

I suspect these pirates, unlike many of us, have more important day to day challenges to deal with than which U.S. political party currently has power.

Whatever action is taken in this matter by the U.S. government should be invoiced directly to the shipping company and their insurer. Our tax dollars, and servicemen and women, should not be spent and put at risk, respectively, because a private business has failed to adequately prepare for the risk inherent from the activities they earn a living from.

Fear not, Wal-Mart shoppers. You might have to pay an extra penny for the crap you didn't need anyway, but if the alternative is to spend another dime of your tax dollars to save that penny, the U.S. military is in position to do your bidding.

(that's sarcasm, in case it isn't readily apparent)

 

[Mr Bogus]

There was a special on all this last year (Pirates and prevention) there is a problem with either arming the ship or having armed guards and it had something to to with traveling through certain waters and how the govt that controlled those waters looked at an armed vessel... Armed escorts had to be removed from the vessel while traveling the host country's waters.. was really stupid but is international law of some kind. Bottom line it made it prohibitively expensive..

 

[DREW]

i don't think odds have anything to do with it. From living in both west and east africa for years, they (along with land rebels) are very high tech and are very selective on targets as to what, when and where. Don't ever think these guy are just a bunch of dumies running around and just taking whatever comes along. They have weapons, advance radar, mother ships, aircraft and advance shipping contacts. So, let's not think the leaders are just guessing who to take and when. A ship taken 350 miles out to sea with the knowledge of advance navys patroling is not taken lightly. Remember we left mogadishu after getting out butts kicked by these low rate thugs. And yes, i was there under the "other" don't hurt anyone administration.

And yes this is a sore spot with me, because it could be stopped very easly ! But of course that would take leadership and not campaignship !

 

[F=MA]

Looks like the rescue attempt was successful.

Nice job, U.S. Military!

Please send the invoice for your efforts to the appropriate customer...not the U.S. taxpayer.

 

[Spudley]

Time to SMOKE a few more pirates....someone notify their families in advance !!!! :oldcool:

 

[SLO MO]

I don't think ODDs have anything to do with it. From Living in both West and East Africa for years, they (along with land rebels) are VERY high tech and are VERY selective on targets as to what, when and where. Don't ever think these guy are just a bunch of dumies running around and just taking whatever comes along. They have weapons, advance radar, mother ships, aircraft and advance shipping contacts. So, let's not think the leaders are just guessing who to take and when. A ship taken 350 miles out to sea with the knowledge of ADVANCE NAVYs patroling is not taken lightly. Remember we left Mogadishu after getting out Butts kicked by these low rate thugs. And yes, I was there under the "OTHER" don't hurt anyone administration.

And Yes this is a sore spot with me, because it could be stopped very easly ! But of course that would take LEADERSHIP and Not CampaignShip !

Higher costs keep US-flagged ships' numbers down - National Business - MiamiHerald.com
NEW YORK -- Despite waterways crowded with thousands of ships operated by international shipping companies, only a handful are U.S.-flagged vessels. The main reason? Dollars and cents.

The recently pirated Maersk Alabama, a food aid ship, is one of those U.S.-flagged ships. Vessels that carry relief aid on behalf of U.S. organizations, or those that are chartered under the direction of the U.S. government, must be registered in the U.S. - or be U.S. flagged.

Douglas J. Mavrinac, the head of maritime research at investment firm Jefferies & Co, estimates that only about 5 percent of ships sailing in international waters fly a U.S. flag.

The cost difference between a U.S. vessel and one built offshore starts at the shipyard - it can cost much more to construct a ship in the U.S. because of the cost of materials and workers' wages to build it.

And those higher costs continue all the way through a ship's service. With a crew of often higher paid workers, the price of a U.S.-built ship often makes it unreasonable for a company to build in the U.S. if it is not required.

But the biggest costs, analysts say, can be traced to long-standing regulations.

Most ships carrying food aid from American agencies are legally required to be U.S.-flagged. At least 75 percent of agricultural cargo and at least 50 percent of civilian agencies' cargo is required to travel on U.S. flag vessels, according to U.S. Maritime Administration. All military cargo is also required to be transferred on U.S. ships.

Cornell University professor Christopher Barrett estimates that these regulations, known as cargo preference, make it anywhere from 40 to 80 percent more expensive to operate a ship because they restrict competition in the market.