Avast there, stand by to repel boarders...

Pirates.

There still remain these scourges of the seven seas roaming every corner of our planet. They come in all shapes and sizes. They may be an illegal fishing trawler, a drug smuggler's clandestine submarine, East African raiders or Straits of Malacca slave traders. No matter how you slice it, these are not ennobled, slightly tipsy Johnny Depp wannabes, they are desperate criminals who infringe on the freedoms of navigation of the rest of the world.

All manner of ships have been accosted by pirates. The targets range from cruise ships (like the Achille Lauro - where pirates ala terrorists - murdered an American citizen in a wheelchair) , freighters and private vessels. Even military ships have, from time to time, come under attack from pirates. The worst outcomes result in the loss of the vessel and crew. The sea is already merciless enough without miscreant humanity adding to its danger.

There is but one recourse for piracy, to quote the first pirates of the Caribbean movie;

"A short drop and a sudden stop at the end of the hangman's noose."

At least the Navy remembers how to deal with the like.

Arrrgh.

Navy Contract Ship Fires Warning Shots Near Suez Canal
Tue, 25 Mar 2008 07:06:00 -0500

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Navy Contract Ship Fires Warning Shots Near Suez Canal American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, March 25, 2008 - A ship on short-term charter to the U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command fired warning shots at a small boat approaching the ship as it was preparing to transit the Suez Canal last night, military officials reported. There were no reports of casualties from the ship, the Global Patriot. Officials said several boats approached the Global Patriot while it was preparing to transit the Suez Canal. The boats were hailed and warned by a native Arabic speaker on the Global Patriot to advise them to turn away. Other warning steps, including a signal flare, were used to caution the boats. One small boat continued to approach the ship and received two sets of warning shots 20 to 30 meters in front of the boat's bow. All shots were accounted for as they entered the water, officials said. The incident is under investigation. The U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet command is cooperating with Egyptian authorities, including the Suez Canal Authorities, through the U.S. Embassy in Cairo. (From a U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. 5th Fleet news release.)

Related Sites: U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. 5th Fleet Military Sealift Command

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