Tanker Hijacking

[chrissa1]

If the reason the tankers can be boarded by the pirates is that they are scared of being blown up, why do they anchor so far out to sea therefore becoming sitting ducks? Why not travel at full throttle between ports and b***er the torpedoes, as the old saying goes.

[R1Geezer]

well I've come across some thickos on here mate but you take the biscuit.

The bandits use fast boats not submarines and the max speed of the tanker is about 25 knots. They are sitting duck full stop! They can't "zip" between ports!

The captain will be keen to not get hit by their RPG's etc and would probably surrender and throw down the ladder on request from the pirates.

[nogginthenog]

The supertanker had avoided the Gulf of Aden and the Suez Canal because it is too big to pass through the canal. It is not only the largest ship to be captured but the farthest from the Somali shoreline.

[chrissa1]

OK wiseguy! I KNOW they're not using submarines!! 25 knots is fairly fast though. It was stated on the News that they are not interested in taking life just for money. Why don't they put RPGs on the tankers?

[R1Geezer]

They may well in the future have to have a defence force on ships but that aint much use now. 25 knots is not fast at all the boats these pirate use will be much much faster.

You are correct that they only want ransom money. The problem is that it is very difficult defend a huge non war ship like this. All they need is the threat of being able to explode something big enough to breach the hull and the Captain has little choice. To lose the whole ship and crew would be catastrophic and the pirates know that.

[nogginthenog]

The gangs� methods vary little, even when taking a 320,000-tonne monster like the Sirius Star. Gunmen typically approach on small speedboats, opening fire on the bridge until the ship�s captain submits and allows them on board, usually throwing down a ladder. The average reaction time between spotting the pirates and being boarded is 15 minutes.
In recent months the pirates� arsenal has grown more deadly, with rocket-propelled grenade launchers and possibly shoulder-mounted missiles used to threaten the crew. Pirate groups have hugely extended their reach from the coast with the use of �mother ships�, larger vessels from which they launch speedboats after they have identified their prey. While some known mother ships have been identified, other attacks are launched from ordinary dhows, traditional sailing boats hijacked from fishermen

that info is from google, hope it helps

[nogginthenog]

missed this out sorry

Crews are strictly instructed not to resist attack once arms have been employed. Once captured, violence against crew members is rare.

[Gromit]

They anchor far out at sea because there are very few ports in the world that can accommodate them. They are also not very manoevrable and have a long stopping distance, so away from anything to hit (including rocks near to the shore) is the best place to park them. Don't think the Sirius Star was stopped when it was boarded though.

[chrissa1]

Thanks All esp nogginthenog. I understand the problem better now. Hope a solution can be found soon as it can hit all nations.

[Gormless]

I hope the SAS are sent in, in their inimitable way, I hope they blast the pirates into little pieces, and then disappear into the night.

Gentlemen, we are dealing here with foreigners and it is appalling. We should be obliterating far more foreigners if only as a precaution.

Foreigners do not know how to behave.

[chrissa1]

Like it Gormless, but I assume you're joking!!!!

[Booldawg]

Well we're always being reminded that we and the yanks dive straight in there 'if oil is involved'. If this notion is to be believed then there should already be SAS/Delta Force operatives fast-roping down onto the decks round about now.

[123everton]

You'd be loathe to board a ship at 25 knots, I think the good old fashioned "Q" Ships should be deployed, lure them onto you and then blow them out of the water.
Ransom's are bad idea we always say "we don't negotiate with terrorists" and then pay a ransom?
What are they going to spend the money on?
A new car? A house? Nice new outfit for the Mrs?

[BertiWooster]

Just not the same these modern day pirates , as the English pirates of old .

No swashbuckling/romantic images here - is there .

Can you imagine one of these pirates clambouring abroad , and shouting ' ahoy me hearties' , in a samalian accent

Oh I forget that is just in the flicks !!