maersk Aldama repels pirates

[eppefour]

from Coast Guard news

By Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Nathan Schaeffer, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command

MANAMA, Bahrain, Nov. 18, 2009 – The U.S.-flagged Maersk Alabama’s security team repelled an attack from suspected pirates this morning 560 nautical miles off the northeastern coast of Somalia, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command officials reported.
Four suspected pirates in a skiff came within 300 yards of the Maersk Alabama and used small-arms weapons in an attempt to board the ship.

The ship’s security team responded with evasive maneuvers, long-range acoustic devices and small-arms fire, causing the suspected pirates to break off their attack. The acoustic devices emit a high-pitched sound that can be painful to human ears.

“Due to Maersk Alabama following maritime industry’s best [anti-piracy] practices such as embarking security teams, the ship was able to prevent being successfully attacked by pirates,” said Navy Vice Adm. William E. Gortney, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and U.S. 5th Fleet. “This is a great example of how merchant mariners can take proactive action to prevent being attacked, and why we recommend that ships follow industry best practices if they’re in high-risk areas.”

No injuries or damage were reported aboard the ship, which is proceeding to its destination of Mombasa, Kenya.

Suspected Somali pirates briefly seized the Maersk Alabama off the coast of Somalia on April 8 and held the ship’s skipper, Capt. Richard Phillips, hostage for five days on a skiff. U.S. naval forces rescued Phillips on April 12, killing three suspected pirates and taking one into custody.

[WAHOONBOX]

PIRACY FROM SOMALIA WILL NEVER END TIL THERE ARE SOME DEAD PIRATES FLOATING UP ON THE BEACH .....NEXT YOU WILL READ WHERE SOMALIA OFFICIALS ASKS THE U.N. FOR SOME HEARING AID RELIEF ASSISTANCE


CONGRATS TO THE MAERSK SHIP LINE FOR TAKING A STANCE!

[jackdaniels]

This attack shows that shipping lines are lax. The Maersk Alabama repelled the pirates with sonic devices that chase the pirates back out of range. They also fired small arms at the pirates to show that they were not an easy target.
I have seen these sonic devices on a cruise line ship a few years ago. They has a couple lined up on the sides of the ship for a drill.
All these ships should be armed and have sonic repelling devices. It's cheaper than ransom.

[Deep C]

I think small arms should be permitted on all vessels travelling through that area... Mini 14 or Ar15 can lay a lot of hurt at a long range or train a couple crew to get real good with something a tad heavier... A well placed 30-06, 308, 7mm or 300 can bust the helmsman's mellon at over 500 yards...

Good for the crew of the Alabama... A few fight back and this piracy shit will be a thing of the past...

[g_max_2003@hotmail.com]

well done maersk alabama, I definitely agree with you deep c that fighting back is the only thing that will bring this to an end. however I dont think arming the ships with conventional weapons is the best idea , especially if it is a gas carrier or an oil tanker. dont forget those pirates have RPG's and the last thing we need is a ship to get in a gunfight with these pirates and explode or catch fire.
greg