Modern Pirates

[Dogwatch]

Cornwall Escorts British Cruise Liner Through Pirate Waters



While on counter piracy patrol in the Gulf of Aden, HMS Cornwall was able to provide some reassurance to the passengers on the British cruise liner Ocean Village 2 as they headed East passed the troubled Somali coast. The liner was on passage through to the Arabian Sea along the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC), the main sea lane running down the length of the Gulf of Aden used by merchant traffic trying to avoid the pirate hot spots. While Ocean Village 2’s crew had taken substantial measures to provide some self protection in the event of a pirate attack, there is nothing like the sight of one of Her Majesty’s warships just off to starboard to help you feel safe. And Cornwall’s presence is not just for show: while the threat of piracy is still very real, there have been no successful pirate attacks in the Gulf of Aden in well over three months due to the actions of the multi-national maritime forces deterring and disrupting the pirates’ activities.

The 1800 passengers holidaying on the Ocean Village 2 were treated to a fly past by Cornwall’s Lynx helicopter as it launched for its morning search mission and the sleek lines of a fully armed Type 22 frigate as the backdrop to their breakfast. HMS Cornwall’s Commanding Officer, Commander Johnny Ley, said “obviously we extend our protection to all innocent vessels in the area, but its always a bit special to see ships from home particularly after being away for over six months ourselves. Provision of this kind of maritime security is all in a day’s work for any operationally deployed warship, although the specific threat of piracy in this region reinforces the importance of safe passage at sea and the maritime forces required to guarantee that: today the passengers of Ocean Village 2 got to see first hand what the Royal Navy is for and what we do on their behalf every day of the year.”

http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-events/rn-live/cornwall-escorts-british-cruise-liner-through-pirate-waters/*/changeNav/6568

[easyrider]

Is this for real?

http://www.tothepointnews.com/content/view/3617/85/

[SwiftandSure]

Is this for real?

http://www.tothepointnews.com/content/view/3617/85/

That's funny!

"Pirates 0, Passengers 32!" Classic!

[BANDIT]

this anti piracy is a high profile, low riisk intervention by the so called international community so as they can say they are doing something re Somalia.
If they rteally wanted iot stopped then they need a longer term engagement plan for Somali that should probably involve blowing Eyl of the map everyrtime a ship is hijacked.

[hedgehog]

I was watching somehting on the news recently and

the local fishermen around that area are as happy as shite

they are now having record hauls because the big huge super trawlers wont come near these

waters for fear of piracy-

the fishing lads are happy- their families are being fed and having a few bob to spare

What was once dwindling stocks of endangered species of fish are now greatly improving

maybe this piracy isnt the total disaster its made out to be.

[easyrider]

So they weren't really pirates, more like the local coastguard, collecting taxation and protecting fishing stocks......

[hedgehog]

So they weren't really pirates, more like the local coastguard, collecting taxation and protecting fishing stocks......

I doubt the pirates are fishing anything except rich vessels

I simply meant that you can see the havoc these massive trawlers are wreaking

on poor costal ways in terms of people and nature

and I bet its the governments of these areas that are selling the licence to the factory

trawlers etc

[ZULU]

and I bet its the governments of these areas that are selling the licence to the factory

trawlers etc

What government???? The place is complete chaos

[hedgehog]

you do know that the coast of africa is comprised of many countries-

I think the big mistake people are making is thinking this is purely a somalian thing-

and on the notion of fish- big shoals of eisc's dont actually respect international boundaries

[ZULU]

Sudan?

Eritrea?

Uganda?

Kenya?

Somalia?

Yemen?


Oh they're all the height of stability and institutionally strong governance alright.

[Test Pilot]

High speed Interceptor a threat to pirates

30 Oct 2009
Pirates will be wishing they had stayed onshore when they see the new XSR Interceptor approaching at up to 97 mph with a .50 calibre remote control heavy machine gun popping up from a retractable armament platform on the bow.

Advanced ergonomics and shock mitigation seating are among the features which allow Interceptor crews to operate in adverse conditions.

Products of Marchwood, Southampton UK based XSMG World Ltd, the 14.6m XSR Interceptor 14 interceptor and pursuit vessel and the 19m XSR Interceptor 19 interceptor and patrol vessel will provide government agencies or commercial users with high speed interception and offshore patrol capability to counter the most complex of modern waterborne threats.

Over 120,000 hours of research, development and engineering time has gone into creating the XSR Superboat and its military and coast guard derivative, the XSR Interceptor. XSMG has selected a series of technical partners, in particular the UK based defence and security consultants QinetiQ, to ensure the XSR Interceptor delivers on all its key operational applications.

High Modulus from New Zealand assisted with composite structure and Redman Whiteley Dixon from the UK contributed aesthetics and ergonomics. Built entirely with composite construction, the high performance monocoque monohull provides increased strength at a lighter weight and the internal cubic capacity is increased by up to 45% over a traditional hull/deck structure. A key parallel benefit of a complete composite build is the greater ballistics resistance provided by the double Kevlar weave in the main deck structures, offering a safer operating environment for the crew while protecting operating systems.

The increase in internal cubic capacity allows auxiliary secure seating capacity for four persons on the XSR Interceptor 14. The XSR Interceptor 19 has room for four bunks, which can double as stretcher positions when required, as well as up to 12 additional passengers.

The new technology uniquely features Transverse Roll Attenuation and Stabilisation Equipment (TRASE), an inflatable tube stabilisation system which provides exceptional control in high speed turns, with tighter cornering and transverse stability in extreme conditions without detracting from flat water performance. The tube system also absorbs impact energy, reducing shock loading through the vessel. The inflatable tube gives additional stability to the hull when stationary and provides a roll damping effect in rough seas. These advantages extend the vessel’s operating envelope to maintain a presence in more adverse conditions.
The XSR Interceptor class can take a range of CAT engines from twin C12 ACERT engines on the Interceptor 14 to twin C32 ACERT engines on the Interceptor 19. There is a choice of Rolls-Royce Kamewa jet drives or ZF surface piercing propellers, all packages providing speeds in excess of 60 knots.

For higher speed pursuit and intercept duties, engines from Fincantieri and Seatek with surface drive propellers will achieve speeds above 80 knots. The vessels have extended range capabilities of up to 700 nautical miles on the Interceptor 14 and 1,000 nautical miles on the Interceptor 19.


I wonder!

[ZULU]

haha. Reminds me of "Thunder in Paradise" with Hulk Hogan!

But, didn't Halmatic/VT not have something like this ,but in my opinion better, in the form of the VSV (Very Slim Vessel) prototype?

[Test Pilot]

haha. Reminds me of "Thunder in Paradise" with Hulk Hogan!

But, didn't Halmatic/VT not have something like this ,but in my opinion better, in the form of the VSV (Very Slim Vessel) prototype?

They all look great - but I would have doubts as to their performance even in a moderate sea. The 'blurb' in my earlier post was from the manufacturer press release and that's just what it was - BLURB!

I notice from both pics that they are shown in calm waters. To be honest I think the 'harbour rock', and what that can throw up, should put some of the manufacturers claims to bed.

I just read Easyriders post above. I was just shocked and humoured at the same time. What type of person would bring his family on a safari hunt for human beings?

This just says it all: Testimonials from previous participants in the Somali Cruise:

"Six attacks in 4 days were more than I expected. I bagged three pirates, my wife nailed two, and my 12-year old son sank two boats with the mini-gun. This wonderful cruise was fun for the whole family" -- Fred D., Cincinnati, OH

"Pirates 0, Passengers 32! Well worth the trip! Can't recommend it highly enough!" -- Ben L., Bethesda, MD

"I haven't had this much fun since flying choppers in 'Nam. Don't worry about getting shot by pirates... they never even got close to the ship with the crap they shoot and their lousy aim... reminds me of a drunken juicer door-gunner we picked up from the motor pool in Phu Bai!" -- Dan J. - Denver, CO


Well Fred D., what goes around, comes around! Stand by one.

[Flamingo]

I think that article was a joke...

[hedgehog]

Sudan?

Eritrea?

Uganda?

Kenya?

Somalia?

Yemen?


Oh they're all the height of stability and institutionally strong governance alright.

I was saying that the fishing rights were probably sold by a corrupt governement

and there is probably way more countries to be included-

Speaking as we were about pirates and factory trawlers operating of the african coast-

are you aware that Uganda is not situated of the African coast

its a land locked country ( Lake victoria is not of the african coast)

and speaking of Africans nations- are you further aware that Yemen is not an African Nation.

you may want to replace those sea charts of yours.