Somali pirates want $15 million for Saudi ship

The problem here is we'll never learn about the smart ones.

These hijackers are just small groups. While the news doesn't say (probably because they don't know) most of these groups are being paid.

We've already read stories of how the towns being used as harbors are turning into mini-boom towns. Some of the hickackers are starting to live well. But not the smart ones. Were there even 15 that hijacked the Saudi oil? If so, that's 1 mil per person.

The smart man wouldn't build mansions with ill gotten gains only to lose it later. He'd gather up the family, take the money & run. Who the hell wants to live in Somalia? You'd have to have a death wish. Lots of places will take you, if you have much folding green.

These guys are modern day socialists, not Robin Hood. They want to share the wealth. Protecting your fishing waters makes good copy, but I didn't notice any nets hanging from the tanker.

if it was my ship i would rather pay the 15million p ound ransom than loose my 100million pound cargo.

They can't just pay up, common no way!

They can't just pay up, common no way!

I'm cheering for the pirates. Their making whole governments come to their knees and take notice.
And so far, the crew is alright. If the oil weren't poison to the ocean I would encourage them to take the money and run, sinking the boat as they get away.

we cant blow the damn ship up, it would make the exxon valdez look like my driveway oil stains. we cant parachute guys in, they would be shot down like clay pigeons. i think this is a job for blackwater/or some kind of amphibious assault. seriously though with all this piracy why havent ship's crews strapped up? this is ridiculous. oh and "unofficial coast gaurd?" please. these are criminals, they're not protecting anyone but their own interests. noone will call them an "unofficial coast gaurd" when an ocean liner gets jacked. shoot em all.

They aren't pirates they are more like an un-official coast guard. It is because Somali's government is so disorganized that they cannot creat there own. So the locals around the area are sick of people using there waters as a dump site, fishing area, and a quick short cut for ships.

Look for the New York Times interview they had with them, it is a lot more reveling about the facts then any other news source has been so far.

Sorry that was my friend, just talk them out or send in loads of booze, everything will be resolved

Just blow them up!

Send in John McClane. It might get a little messy but he delivers results.

The problem, of course, is risk. Any rescue attempt puts the hostages at risk. And Saudi is looking to up with 15 million as compared to losing 100 million.

Also there is responsibility. Whoever orders the rescue will be responsible for what happens to the prisioners.

Talk about a profitable business.

The logical way to stop this is for the govt to control the area it's coming from. Apparently, that's a no go. But in the end, the solution will have to come from there.

In the meantime, as I understand it, ships from various nations are now patrolling. But not all of them will shoot, which does no good. Maybe the nations should set up regular convoys & escort the shipping in herds. At least you'd have a chance of doing something BEFORE the ship is taken.

god i love pirates.

The Saudi's needs to send in some elite para-military force to take the ship back.

I'd give them 15 minutes to start swimming or learn how.

Even pirates are cutting their prices in anticipation of a dismal holiday season. :/

Don't we have some sort of incapacitating gas or something that you could use, take over the ship, then give everyone the antidote? If not where the heck is Jack Bauer when you need him?

So the original pirates have already sold it to middlemen?

Yarr

It's a tricky one... we need the boat and the hostages back but we really don't want to give the money to the terrorists.

Here comes the 'we dont negotiate with terrorists response'...I'm surprised we haven't blown the boat up yet.

REAL PIRATES?!

You've got to think about the hostages onboard the ship as well. How can we get them off without endangering them? It'd be great to get some guys parachuting on and taking the ship back, but it could be dangerous for the innocent people who were working onboard.

I don't really think they should pay these swines, but you have to ask yourself, who are the real pirates here. Is it the Somali's with their guns or is it the oil company bosses in their suits and ties?

hmmm?

Probably the Somalis but still, makes you think doesn't it.

What media is not conveying at this moment is the real threat, Somalia could blow the ship up or release tons of oil in to the sea should their demands are not met? Now who is not going to pay.