Stopping Somali Pirates

[crashdive123]

We've seen the news reports on how Navy Seals stopped a group of Somali Pirates. We've seen the reports of French Commandos doing the same. It appears that another group is swimming into the fray and assisting in combating the pirates. http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-04/14/content_11184581.htm

[laughing beetle]

Go Flipper!!

[Pal334]

Seems to me that this is a relatively simple matter to resolve. Have an assembly area on each end of the danger area (s) . And once a day (or whatever traffic requires) run a convoy through the area escorted by an armed naval vessel of some sort (multiple countries will share the tasking). Declare an exclusion area around the convoy and respond with force to intrusions. Using all available radar etc, and even the tiny UAVs monitor the surrounding area. The escort vessel responds as needed to threats. The escort vessel can be anything that can be armed and manned by military folks. The commercial shipowners will squak a bit about delays, but like all good business men will adapt. Eventually the pirates will get the idea that it is not a good idea to continue their activities. And "squeeze" captured pirates to find out who the "brains" of the outfit are and take appropriate action to "dissuade" them.

[crashdive123]

I agree, that it is a relatively simple thing to resolve. The only thing lacking to do so is resolve from the nations that are on the receiving end.

[Pal334]

I think specifically, that lack of resolve is the elected cowards (oops, I meant leaders).

[Ole WV Coot]

Personal opinion only: NO insurance available against pirates. No cheap African ship registry, home country only. Attack on US flagged ship is the same as an attack on our soil. Policy of NO ransom only retaliation. On US ships arm and train crew with heavy weapons. Reprogram a satellite to cover that part of the ocean, if not already in place for a start. We are individually and as a country wanting a world that hates us to always be the "good guys" and defend ourselves both here and worldwide. I could give my opinion on the UN, border security, gun control, one currency worldwide and a few other things but who really cares?

[Sam]

The Marine Corps......., post Marines on random US ships and let the pirates learn the hard way. It worked with the Barbary pirates and will work again.
-Sam

[aflineman]

The Marine Corps......., post Marines on random US ships and let the pirates learn the hard way. It worked with the Barbary pirates and will work again.
-Sam

Works for me.
(Although, I do also tend to subscribe it the "nuke them from orbit" philosophy, also).

[Rick]

Allow me to dredge up an old saying....paraphrased for the occasion.

We need to go into Somalia and round up the 6 smartest pirates. Place them on a barge in the ocean. Annihilate the rest of the pirates...then sink the barge.

[laughingbeetle]

Hehehe I like that solution!