Update on the Hijacked Ship Loaded with Tanks
28 Sep 2008
Somali pirate demands $20 million ransom
As a heavily armed U.S. freighter patrolled nearby and planes flew overhead, 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.
He claims they’ll fight to the death if anyone tries to retake the ship.
Oh, and the “freighter”? This is it:
Starboard bow view of the Arleigh Burke Flight IIA Aegis Class guided missile destroyer USS HOWARD (DDG 83) underway at high speed during her builder's acceptance trials. Photographer's Name: BATH IRON WORKS Date Shot: 5/21/2001
Not exactly a tramp steamer…
Tags: Somalia
September 28th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
Maybe it’s a Q Ship.
‘Course, they prolly should think about refining the disguise a little bit. I don’t think they’re fooling anyone but the media.
September 28th, 2008 at 11:17 pm
The MSNBC web bowser for fact checking must have been down for repairs..or, judging by some of their other reports, permanently broken…
September 29th, 2008 at 12:05 am
“He claims they’ll fight to the death if anyone tries to retake the ship.”
Please U.S. Navy…….Make his wish come true!
September 29th, 2008 at 12:56 am
Here’s another “interesting” Somali pirate saga:
http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2008/09/mystery_surrounds_hi.php
September 29th, 2008 at 5:56 am
I’m surprised they identified them as planes and not flying pigs.
Americans have along standing tradition of helping other achieve their potentials and goals Toejam. They want to die for Allah, and we’d like to help them. :)
September 29th, 2008 at 12:49 pm
Sounds like we are just keeping an eye on things until the Ruskies arrive. They can do the shooting this time. The Somalia pirates might find that Ivan isn’t very concerned about collateral damage or the health of non-combatants.
Then, they can get their shipment of tanks to Sudan back underway to help get rid of those pesky people in Darfur.
September 29th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
Howcome there is no CIWS on this ship.
Has the Phalanx been replaced ?
They usually have a CWIS in front just below the bridge.
September 29th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
Russ: That’s been a subject of some contention
In a nutshell:
September 29th, 2008 at 3:06 pm
The ship is under Ukrainian registry, and I’ve yet to see any reports that the cargo is being moved for the Russians. If they get involved the situation will suddenly be a lot more complicated.
September 29th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
Here’s a story that claims Russian involvement. FWIW….
http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/world/somalia-t-72-tanks-us-russian-ships-pirates_100101553.html
September 29th, 2008 at 10:31 pm
Freighter, Frigate. Repression, Recession. It’s all the same…
September 29th, 2008 at 11:02 pm
How about a new class of ship?
Frighter.
A frighter delivers a cargo of fright.
September 29th, 2008 at 11:57 pm
What about that Irannian ship, that was captured by pirates?
September 30th, 2008 at 2:11 am
jaymaster that was some funny sh*t!
Ohhhhh…SCARY!