Somali pirates kill Americans on yacht

Word just came in that they were killed; apparently negotiations failed and they opened fire.

Waiting for a more up to date article.

What the hell where they doing going on a fucking cruise in pirate waters anyway?

That's unfortunate. A bit reckless of them, breaking off from the predefined route in an area known for piracy, but still unfortunate.

WTOP and CBS Radio are saying that the hostages are indeed dead. There are dead pirates as well, since the Navy stormed the pirate's nest and killed several of them.

edited 22nd Feb '11 6:51:43 AM by lee4hmz

Americans have been at much greater risk of being killed than other nationalities since the US Navy sent a team in to rescue that captured tanker captain last year.

To be honest, I'm surprised they bother to take US citizens hostage rather than just dump them over the side, given the risks of keeping them around.

edited 22nd Feb '11 8:16:04 AM by InverurieJones

Many nations have carried out major rescue operations against Somali pirates. I suppose killing Americans is fun 'cause it's such a big target to which to give the finger.

Really goddamn stupid, yes, but probably fun if you're into that kind of dumb shit.

Why do we not have Destroyers up and down the coast of Somali shelling their safe havens?

^ Cost? The fact that you cant just randomly bomb the shit out of places in foreign nations?

Besides, there is a UN fleet and several other fleets or flotillas from many countries patrolling the water and actively fighting the pirates, including sinking their ships.

(As a side note, the flagship of the Finnish Navy, minelayer Pohjanmaa is currently participating in Operation Atlanta, an EU operation there.)

Nothing can be done about the ports without breaking so many international treaties that you'd be a bigger criminal than the pirates, though. You gotta catch them at sea, after which they become yours to look after - so whichever state captures a pirate has to try and sentence them, as well as carry out that sentence.

edited 22nd Feb '11 4:08:02 PM by BestOf

Because we don't have proper intel on if pirates are the only people in those safe havens, they are mixed with the general populace of Somalia.

And I'm pretty sure just out and bombing Mogadishu, as appealing as it is as a bit of revenge for the way those monstrous pieces of shit treated Shughart and Gordon, that'd be a warcrime.

But they still deserve it.

This is one situation where you need to fix the rot attracting the vermin. Somalia is a troubled country and the aim should be to stabalise it.

Seconding that.

Pretty much all of Africa needs that, and it hasnt worked so far. If you got a cure for shitty climate, natural disasters and warlords, I think theyd appreciate it.

Show of hands: Did anyone else see this story and immediately think of the opening chapter of Clear And Present Danger?

Sad, but I have very little sympathy for people that have the resources to go yachting around the world but can't chart a course that doesn't hit pirate infested waters. They had already been to phuket. All they needed was to visit freaking tortuga and they would have a pirate trifecta.

Pretty much all of Africa needs that, and it hasnt worked so far. If you got a cure for shitty climate, natural disasters and warlords, I think theyd appreciate it.

Whilst there's elements of truth in that, I don't think the logical train of thought should be:

Stabilise African country -> Stabilising attempts fail -> Shell the fuck out of African country

(Not that this is what you suggested, just saying this in case anyone suggested it as an idea)

Pretty much all of Africa needs that, and it hasnt worked so far. If you got a cure for shitty climate, natural disasters and warlords, I think theyd appreciate it.

And a cure for AIDS while we're at it.

That would have been something to see: The pirates going "Arrr!", the passengers going "ARRRRGH!"...

I'm surprised anyone would say that it was "deserved" in any way. It's incredibly unfortunate as to what happened to the American's on the yacht and the many other victims of Somali pirates.

Somalia is a very troubled country where extreme poverty fuels violence. I don't know what the answer is and I'm pretty sure that if there is one that it will take many years to enforce with much retaliation from said fractions.

However what we can be doing is better informing travelers who intend to visit the country. I've never personally yachted anywhere but I'm willing to guess that it isn't too hard to stray off course.

^ I dont think anyone meant that these people deserved it, but if you're dumb enough to go a-cruising in pirate waters, you cant really come whining when they show up and murder you.

"I say, Winston old chum, how about we take the yacht somewhere...exciting?"

"Ooh, they say there are pirate waters around here. Isn't that just delicious?

"Ooh let's look!"

"Yes. Lets!"

"Arrr..."

"Oh dear." *monocle pops out*

edited 23rd Feb '11 12:58:21 PM by RichReeders

I dont think anyone meant that these people deserved it, but if you're dumb enough to go a-cruising in pirate waters, you cant really come whining when they show up and murder you.

You mean like how women shouldn't be surprised if they get raped while wearing revealing clothing?

^I call BS; two totally different situations.

edited 23rd Feb '11 1:53:28 PM by BestOf

Still the same underlying logic.