So according to this article, and the history of modern piracy in the GoA, this is the pirate season. A perfect combination of weather and sea conditions are allowing pirates to do their deed. And guess what? Naval forces, as well as vessels that have armed security, are ready for them and giving the pirates a run for their money.
From the looks of it, folks have been busy out there. The one story to clue in on, is the results of putting armed security on Spanish tuna boats. This was endorsed by Spain’s government, and it looks to me like this is working out for them. The pirates attacked their boats, and armed security repelled the attacks and called for backup. Perfect.
As for the Juicebox Commandos who continue to promote this idea that putting armed security on boats will cause an ‘arms race’ or is just ‘too risky’, is just dumb. It also shows a lack of compassion for the crews of these boats. The right to self defense is a basic human right that no one should be denied, and especially on the high seas.
What is causing the arms race in my opinion, is the ship owners and insurance companies that keep paying these multi-million dollar ransoms to pirates, and in turn, the pirates are able to buy better and more lethal weapons and equipment for piracy ventures. Until piracy becomes a high risk and low odds venture for them, they will continue to attack.
Now that more and more boats are getting armed security and the navies of the world are finally getting aggressive, these pirates are starting to learn the hard way that their business venture is becoming increasingly more dangerous. I think that is great news, and bravo to all the security forces out there that are dishing it back to these booger eaters. Bravo to the ship owners who care enough to put armed security on the boats. That is called ‘taking care of your people’, and that is the way it should be out there. –Matt
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Somali pirates, security personnel in 4 shootouts
By KATHARINE HOURELD
3/5/2010
NAIROBI, Kenya — Swarms of Somali pirates are moving into the waters off East Africa, triggering four shootouts Friday including a skirmish with French military personnel that sunk a pirate skiff, officials said.
The end of the monsoon season and the resulting calmer waters signal the beginning of the most dangerous period for ships traveling the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean. Nearly half the 47 ships hijacked off Somalia last year were taken in March and April.
Cmdr. John Harbour of the European Union Naval Force said a spike in attacks was very likely in coming weeks. But this season, ship owners and sailors are more prepared to try to evade pirates, fight back, or have armed security onboard, raising the likelihood of violence.
“We know the monsoon is over. We know they’re coming,” Harbour said. “We’re taking the fight to the pirates.”
In the most serious skirmish Friday, six pirates attacked a vessel before breaking off and chasing the French fishing boat Torre Giulia, Harbour said. Two other French fishing vessels nearby — the Jalenduic and the Trevignon — aided the Torre Giula.
A French military detachment onboard the Trevignon fired warning shots at the pirates, but failed to stop the attack. The Trevignon approached the skiff and collided with it, said Harbour, sinking the skiff and throwing the pirates into the water. Four were rescued and a military aircraft was searching for the other two, he said.