Pirates Nationals
 |
| No items matching your keywords were found. |
Pirates Nationals
Pirates From the 21st Century
The waters of the Malacca Straits between Malaysia and Indonesia and the South China Sea were said to be the most dangerous shipping lines in the world. The Gulf of Aden, along the Kenyan Coast is now said to be even more dangerous.
These hijackings are nothing more than high-seas robbery. Acts designed for the demanding of millions of dollars in ransom money from helpless ship owners.
Formed just three years ago, a pirate group known as the Central Regional Coast Guard, is led by Abdul Hassan. It is reported to have 350 men in its ranks and around 100 speedboats. However, there is an increasing rise of 'mother-ships' involved. These release fast attack skiffs, along with pirates brandishing automatic weapons and grenade launchers, miles off shore.
The largest crude oil tanker in the world, the Sirius Star was hijacked in November 18th, making it the largest ever such incident of terrorism in the history of the world oceans. Before that the pirates must have thought they had struck gold, when they captured a Ukrainian freighter, the MV Faina, in September. It was carrying military hardware, including 33 Soviet-made T72 tanks and grenade launchers.
The troubled nation of Somalia has now been without a central government since 1991. The country is now overrun with feuding politicians with private militia. Many of the pirates have connections to these politicians' militia.
For the pirates, the feeding grounds of the Gulf of Aden is an open harvest, where thousands of ships pass through each year. It is believed that up to $30 million, has been paid in ransom to September 2008.
An environmental disaster would follow if the pirates start to scuttle fully loaded oil tankers, because their demands are not met.
There are currently two UK frigates cruising the area. One managed to stop pirates attacking a Danish cargo ship. Russian, US and Danish ships patrol the area, yet still the piracy continues. At least three more ships were hijacked hard on the heels of the Sirius Star being taken.
There are more than 12 vessels still in pirate hands, plus over 200 crew. The pirates board the ships and the crew are held hostage until such time as the ship owners pay the ransom.
While pirates have been portrayed as romantic, swash buckling heroes in movies and book, today we have a group of terrorists, acting as 21st century pirates. They plan to keep the world at ransom in a tiny section of the vast oceans of the world. The difference between the days of the sailing ship pirates and today, is the speed of transport and the power of their weapons, the value of the cargo and the amount of ransom which can be demanded. The face of piracy has been dramatically changed.
About the Author
Rick and Wendy are CEO's of YouMe Support Foundation charity that gives away non repayable high school education grants to children who will never have the opportunity to have a high school education without outside assistance.
WHAT CHANELL IS THE NATIONALS GAME ON?
WHAT CHANELL IS BROADCASTING WASHINGTON NATIONALS VS PIRATES???? I WANT TO SEE STRASBURG! I LIVE IN THE DC AREA
In Los Angeles and watching on MLB.tv. It looks like a regular feed from DC with Rob Double Dibble in the booth.
This kid looks like the real deal! Up 4-2 now. Nats fans have GOTTA be happy with recent developments!
2009/05/20 CG: Pirates @ Nationals