Does anyone else find it amazing that four rogue pirates in a raft without fuel are holding off our Navy? This is not a slam to our Navy in any way; I know their hands are tied. Lemme see... four scum bags + four sharp shooters + four bullets = one freed brave captain???

That would seem like the easy solution. One mistimed shot, one slight mistake, the captain is dead. Then the complaint would be; couldn't they have done something else, couldn't they have waited. The basic rule in hostage negotiations is; as long as anyone isn't dying, let the talk continue.

DFrost

I do know it is not as easy as it sounds... it is just so frustrating to see these scum bags holding the upper hand. Hearing that more pirates are now coming to surround the raft and take the captain to Somalia is simply hard to comprehend.

I don't get how these scumbags keep having success.

I'm on a ship, you're on a boat, you come towrds me....KABOOM! No more pirate problem.

I wish it were that simple. Keep in mind, though, that these are unarmed merchant ships, not military.

I just want the stand-off to end so Richard can get home to his family. This has gone on for too long.

I don't know why the pirates haven't already met their demise. I suspect even the family doesn't have the whole story. It seems like it should be so simple to end this, doesn't it? There must be a valid reason this is still dragging on. As long as Richard gets home safely it's all good.

Nothing is ever as easy as it sounds - you are absolutely correct. I know the ships are merchant ships are unarmed, but I've often wondered in these problem areas where the pirates are commonly an issue, why the shipping companies don't hire "private" security?

Kristel, I'm with you 100% - let's get Richard home safe and sound and hopefully someone can come up with a solution to prevent this from happening again.

Barbara,

See the photo in the link below. The lifeboat is enclosed.

http://gcaptain.com/maritime/blog/?attachment_id=7818

I'm thinking the navies of the world should cooperate with the shipping companies of the world and offer convoy services.

If only things were so simple.
The vast majority of ships go through that area with no problem, individual security for each ship is prohibitively expensive.
Now we have other criminals coming to the rescue of their brethern. My understanding is that they are also holding hostages of other ships hi-jacked previously.....more then one innocent life is at risk.
The area can not be cleared of vessels for shippings sake. There is no way to easily tell if it's an honest fisherman a navy is running off or a pirate in waiting.
Shipping companies can not nor could they afford (translate we) to armor the ships against the likes of easily obtained and cheap shoulder held stingers and grenade launchers.

The solution to the problem is not easy.
It is obvious though, the world is getting more then a little sick of these ordeals.
More then at any other time in history a failed nation state is affecting us all directly.
I only hope the present crisis is resolved with no loss of innocent life.

I'm open to any ideas on how to solve the over riding issues the whole ball of wax represents. As is, I'm sure, are all of the leaders of the free world.

Randy

an old problem has an old cure, hang them when you catch them