Thanks to Matt for sending me this story. You know, acts like this and the killings of four Americans only reinforce the idea that these pirates are ‘not rational’. Meaning, pirates have no code of conduct or laws governing how they operate. All they care about is protecting their business and making money. So to them, keeping Indian hostages is a message to the Indian government and people to not threaten that business model with anti-piracy operations or having armed security on boats.
This also changes the game now. For those companies thinking that ransoms are a surefire way of getting their people back, think again. Pirates are irrational business partners, and as they continue to get pressure from anti-piracy forces, they will continue to get more irrational. The point being, spend the money on security, and do not give a larger sum of money to a pirate industry. Fuel the Defense Industry, while starving the pirate’s Offense Industry. –Matt
Somali Pirates Keep Indian Hostages After Paid Ransom
April 15, 2011
A Somali pirate says pirates are holding on to Indian hostages even after a ransom was paid in retaliation for recent arrests by the Indian Navy.
The pirate, Hassan Farah, said the pirates in the stronghold of Haradhere have taken that collective decision.
A ransom was dropped Friday for the release of the ship Asphalt Venture and its crew. The non-Indian crew members were released.
Friday’s pirate action marks a major departure from the standard pirate business model of release-for-ransom and could complicate international military efforts against the piracy trade.
Earlier this year pirates killed four American hostages while U.S. Navy warships were shadowing the hijacked yacht, the first time pirates had done that.
Story here.
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Centre may allow ships to carry arms
Apr 18, 2011
By Sandip Dighe
Alarmed by the rising number of attacks on merchant vessels and the abduction of the vessel staff, the Centre is now planning to allow Indian merchant ships to carry light arms for their protection. Retired navy and coast guard officials could also be allowed to accompany the ships.
Commodore MVS Kumar, principal director of ex-servicemen affairs of integrated headquarters, ministry of defence (navy), said on Sunday that the Union government is considering such initiatives for the safety of Indian merchant ships and their staff.
Kumar was speaking with DNA on the sidelines of a programme in Pune. “The issue is being discussed by the authorities concerned. Once approved, the Union ministry of shipping will come out with a notification,” he said.
Commodore Kumar said that maritime security guards are needed to tackle the menace of sea piracy.
“They are available in the form of retired sailors of the coast guard and the navy,” he said.
The owners of merchant ships have been asking the Union government to allow them to carry light firearms. At present, Indian merchant ships are not allowed to carry arms on ships.
“Foreign merchant ships are allowed to carry arms, but Indian ships are not. As a result, Indian merchant ships are more vulnerable,” he said.
On the recent attacks by Somali pirates on Indian merchant ships, Kumar said: “The Indian Navy is capable of repulsing such attacks. But the problem is that the pirates are clever. They keep changing their locations after abducting the staff. As a result, it becomes difficult to trace them. Moreover, while they ask for the ransom money to be deposited in Swiss bank accounts,” he said.
Story here.