Saturday, April 17, 2010

Looking For Alternative Methods To Deal With The Somali Piracy Problem

A team from the amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland pulling suspected pirates from the Gulf of Aden off Somalia on April 10. The Ashland came under fire from pirates before returning fire, destroying the pirates’ vessel, and capturing them. Newscom

Navy Looks For Ways Other Than Armed Patrols To Fight Somali Pirates -- Christian Science

A top admiral says US Navy armed patrols can't chase Somali pirates indefinitely. Other ways must be found to get to the source of piracy off the coast of Somalia.

The US Navy will be unable to continue long-term operations against pirates off the coast of Somalia, and it’s looking for other ways to solve the growing problem, according to a top admiral.

As Somali pirates continue to find attacking cargo ships in the West Indian Ocean profitable, they have become more and more aggressive, forcing the international community to send naval ships from more than a dozen countries to help patrol the vast waters off Somalia.

Read more ....

My Comment: I hear frustration from the admiral .... and considering how this problem is now rapidly getting out of control with Navy brigs being filled with pirates, I can understand his sentiment.

In the past these problems were dealt with swiftly and brutally (i.e. walking the plank literally). Will the same course of action be implemented in today's world .... I doubt it.

1 comment:

Willie said...

While the reasons the somali coast guard started are no longer driving the piracy now. Dealing with the reasons this piracy escalated might go a certain way to modifying the current trend. No more dumping of wastes by foreign countries in somali waters and respecting their fishing grounds. Frankly I'm all for the piracy. Jealous even. But treating symptoms is good for doctors not patients.