Spain calls for pirate blockade

[trublue]

The Spanish authorities have refused to negotiate the release of the pirates

Spain wants a European Union naval taskforce to blockade three ports in Somalia, known to be used by pirates.
Defence minister Carme Chacon will call for the international force to change its tactics at a meeting next week, Spanish radio reported.
She also called for the international community to track ransom payments made to Somali pirates by shipping firms through intermediaries.
Somali pirates are currently holding 36 Spanish fishermen hostage on a trawler.
The pirates say they will not release any of the fishermen until Spanish authorities release two of their colleagues from custody in Spain.
'Not romantic'
The government in Madrid has refused to negotiate the pirates' release but says they could be transferred to a jail in Somalia if found guilty.
"These are not romantic pirates which some may be led to imagine," said Mrs Chacon.
"They are authentic criminal organisations which are focused on kidnappings of all types; merchant ships, fishing trawlers, ships belonging to the World Food Programme."
The pirates use "mother ships" to get far out to sea, then launch smaller attack-skiffs which home in on vessels plying the busy shipping lanes.
Pirates seized Spanish tuna trawler The Alakrana on 2 October in the Indian Ocean.
A Spanish naval frigate picked up two pirates in a short-range skiff in the same area.
Pirates have since attacked ships further away from shore then ever before.

[Valley-Of-Death]

I vote her the best looking Defence Minister in the world. Open to correction!

But blockade the ports?
How long is the Somali coastline does anyone know, and how big a port do you need to launch a small pirate skiff. Optics I think. Not helpful.

[Oddjob]

This isn't the first time that spain has declared a blockade on Pirates, Piratas, Bucaniers, privatiers, corsairs, Zeeroovers or Flibustiers, whatever name you give them.
Their success was limited last time they tried this.
Co operation between any of the allies seems difficult in any field, an Spanish fishing fleets are not known for their observance of rules and national waters.
Its certainly a tall order.

[saward]

Think you will find Somalia has the longest coast line of any African country.

3,025K

Saward

[Valley-Of-Death]

The tracking of Ransom payments is also a bit odd. Ransoms have to be paid, end of story and why make the process any more complicated. The trick is not to get captured in the first place. Either her comments come as a result of misquotation in the media or else a woman who needs a good nights sleep, because neither proposal sounds like a good idea on the face of it.

[Valley-Of-Death]

Quote:

Originally Posted by saward Think you will find Somalia has the longest coast line of any African country. 3,025K Saward

Or is it Madagascar?

But yeah, blockades of the main ports.. whooopppeeee! Problem sorted instantly.
How to Not solve the problem, while looking really stupid and at the same time making the pirates look like heroes to everybody in Somalia in one easy movement. Brilliant, you couldn´t make this stuff up.

[X45]

I have a better idea. Train squadrons of attack budgies that can be launched from specially trained suicide "carrier" dolphins. Once launched these budgies could then mob the pirates and peck their eyes out, in effect an 'M' kill. These swarms would also be useful target markers as once positively identified these suicide dolphins could commence run in on the target. Boom..... no pirates!

[polarserv international]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valley-Of-Death I vote her the best looking Defence Minister in the world. Open to correction! But blockade the ports? How long is the Somali coastline does anyone know, and how big a port do you need to launch a small pirate skiff. Optics I think. Not helpful.

I think you'll find that the pirates are not exactly setting out from ports in little motor boats. The Skiffs are launched from a much larger mothership that is capable of staying at sea for weeks at a time, that carries a large compliment of assault craft and crew.

[Valley-Of-Death]

Quote:

Originally Posted by polarserv international I think you'll find that the pirates are not exactly setting out from ports in little motor boats. The Skiffs are launched from a much larger mothership that is capable of staying at sea for weeks at a time, that carries a large compliment of assault craft and crew.

And I think you´ll find that any decent sized vessel capable of 2 weeks endurance is also well capable of being a "mother ship". Where and how they embark or disembark pirates, hostages, weapons and boats anywhere along the way, or up and down the Somali coast is hardly going to be controled by blocking a handful of ports.
Do you think Somalis are stupid?

[polarserv international]

I was hazarding a guess that they would require suitable berthage to refuel and hence a larger port with refueling facilities. I stand corrected if they use beach launched skiffs to ferry out several tons of of gas oil to a mothership. Having spent several years in the MCA I can only speak from my experience as to the berthing requirements of "Tonnage" MFV's. I can only presume that you have experience in Somalian ports...........I stand corrected.

As to the question "Do you think Somali's are stupid?". In a word YES. Who else with similar, limited capabilities would take on marked vessels from the RN, USN and Indian Navy.............not the actions of a smart cookie!