Arr,we be boarding ye ship! Haa-Haa

[strickj]

Silly pirates....

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=5902182

As a heavily armed U.S. destroyer patrolled nearby and planes flew overhead Sunday, a Somali pirate spokesman told The Associated Press his group was demanding a $20 million ransom to release a cargo ship loaded with Russian tanks.

The spokesman also warned that the pirates would fight to the death if any country tried military action to regain the ship, and a man who said he was the ship's captain reported that one crew member had died.

Pirates seized the Ukrainian-operated ship Faina off the coast of Somalia on Thursday as it headed to Kenya carrying 33 Russian-built T-72 tanks and a substantial amount of ammunition and spare parts. The ordnance was ordered by the Kenyan government.

The guided missile destroyer USS Howard was stationed off the Somali coast on Sunday, making sure that the pirates did not remove the tanks, ammunition and other heavy weapons from the ship, which was anchored off the coast.

A spokesman for the U.S. 5th fleet said the Navy remained "deeply concerned" over the fate of the ship's 21-member crew and cargo.

In a rare gesture of cooperation, the Americans appeared to be keeping an eye on the Faina until the Russian missile frigate Neustrashimy, or Intrepid, reaches the area. The Russian ship was still in the Atlantic on Sunday, the Russian navy reported.

Pirate spokesman Sugule Ali said he was speaking Sunday from the deck of the Faina via a satellite phone — and verified his location by handing the phone over to the ship's captain, who also spoke with the AP. It was not possible to further confirm their identities.

"We want ransom, nothing else. We need $20 million for the safe release of the ship and the crew," Ali said, adding that "if we are attacked, we will defend ourselves until the last one of us dies."

Five nations have been sharing information to try to secure the swift release of the ship and its crew — Ukraine, Somalia, Russia, the United States and Britain. Kenyan government spokesman Alfred Mutua, however, insisted his country will not negotiate with pirates or terrorists...........next page

Edited September 28, 2008 by strickj

[ShaunM]

Tanks I prefer gold ha ha ha. I know bad pun.

[TripleDigitRide]

If I was in control of the situation, that ship would now be sitting on the ocean floor.

[Guest GUTTERbOY]

If I was in control of the situation, that ship would now be sitting on the ocean floor.

The crew of the ship is probably thankful you aren't in charge then.

[Guest GT_Rat]

I expect to see a Russian Anti-ship missile test soon.

[deerslayer]

The crew of the ship is probably thankful you aren't in charge then.

+1

[towerclimber37]

no...chances are that you won't hear any more about this ship...remember..the russians are just as good at securing ships from terrorists as we are..

[highshot]

lets see what happens with that ship once the russians get there. That ship will be nothing but a test target for them.

[Mark@Sea]

I can say that a .50 makes wonderful pirate repellent. Really hate pirates. Would love to see one of the SEAL teams take them out. Wonder if Spetznaz is going to get a workout soon?

[Guest GUTTERbOY]

[strickj]

I wonder if they are trained to yell CONTACT before?

[Guest Mugster]

Actually, once that russian ship shows up, there's a good chance everyone on board is toast. The russians don't negotiate.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moscow_theater_hostage_crisis

[Guest c_o_jones]

+1

The Russians will probably oblige those pirates on the whole "to the death" thing...

[Guest preruntn]

What?!.....are you guys kidding? The Russians will do business with anyone opposed to western values. Putin err...the Russians will take their ship back then strike up a business deal with one or two of the Somali war lords.