Be careful next time you are boating in Somali
Somali piracy is worst in world
By Mark Doyle
BBC World Affairs CorrespondentThe Seabourne Sprint, which escaped an attack off the Somali coast on
Saturday
This luxury cruise liner was attacked by pirates two months ago
An increase in piracy off the Indian Ocean coast of Somalia has made
these waters the most dangerous for pirate activities in the world. Shipping companies say the area has overtaken those traditionally
plagued by piracy such as the Straits of Malacca in south east Asia. The pirates generally use speedboats to steal trading goods or food aid
- sometimes impounding ships and crew at gunpoint and then demanding
ransoms before they are released. Somali clan leaders have just signed an agreement to try to end over two
decades of factional fighting in the country - and they say they have
also made attempts to address the piracy problem. But the high level of lawlessness off the long eastern Somali coastline
reflects the level of chaos there has been on the ground in the country
for more than a generation. The problem does not affect the northern coast of the self-proclaimed
and more stable Somaliland as much. Shipping companies grouped under the International Maritime Bureau (a
branch of the International Chamber of Commerce) say there have been 35
incidents of piracy off the Indian Ocean coast of Somalia in the past
nine months. See http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4584878.stm
for the rest of the article. |
Reggie
Jan 11
2006
|
| At Neah Bay Wa, fishermen often carry a handgun or .410 shotgun to kill
large halibut before bringing them in the boat. Doesn't seem to be a concern
of the Coasties. Just don't take em into Canadian waters! They get real
touchie!
Gordon |
Gordon
Jan 11
|
| I understand that for $60 a year, you can get an import permit for the
shotgun in Canada. |
Calif
Jan 12
|
| How many times are you going to ask me this question? I think I've seen it
in about ten, or more, threads. What is your point in the repetition? I
answered it the first time I saw it!
|
JohnH
Jan 11
|
| Do you know what the rule is for having a firearm on a boat in the bay?
When boarded by the CG a few years ago, that was there first question. They
asked if I had any weapons on board, I looked at my fishing box and asked
if knives counted. They didn't laugh. Suppose I'd had a pistol in the cabin. Would that have been a violation of
some law?
|
JohnH
Jan 11
|
| doubtful that the hammerhead sharks will eat the survivors or that
there will be any survivors for the sharks to eat? |
Shortwave
Jan 11
|
| My guess is that the rules for "carrying" a loaded handgun on a boat in
Maryland waters is the same as "carrying" anywhere else in the state:
you need a carry permit. On land, without a permit, you can transport an
unloaded handgun to a dealer's, from a dealer's, to a range, et cetera. |
Harry
Jan 11
|
| Doubtful that the suggested cure would have any impact on cutting back
on the attacks. |
Harry
Jan 11
|
| this past summer while scoping out some secret lobster holes 'out of
season', i was stopped and the crew checked all the usual safety stuff.
the dive flag i had up, we were just snorkeling, but still people in the
water, was not the appropriate size. i had the full sized one on hand,
just not up. i got a warning for that. i had mentioned to the officer in charge when he asked for the
registration, flares, etc. "i have a handgun in that same bag" well
before i even made amove towards the boat bag. they didn't seem to
flinch or care, or maybe i was being watched more carefully and did not
notice. i do have a carry permit, so i have nothing to worry about
there, but afterwards is not the time to give them an 'i told you so'
defene. |
DownTime
Jan 11
|
| OK, that makes sense. Thanks.
|
JohnH
Jan 11
|
| Did they ask for a permit?
|
JohnH
Jan 11
|
| It is boating equipment in this case. |
Calif
Jan 11
|
| I think they just do not want to be surprised. |
Calif
Jan 11
|
| sink a few of these boats and leave the survivors for the hammerhead
sharks - that should solve the problem quickly. |
Shortwave
Jan 11
|
| I think that will soon become the solution, either by the shipping
companies or the military.
|
Reggie
Jan 11
|
| Doubtful. |
Harry
Jan 11
|
| It already has come to that. Many shipping companies are hiring armed
guards, among other preventative measures. http://wwwarc.murdoch.edu.au/wp/wp120.pdf |
thunder
Jan 11
|
| That's my thought. A couple .50 cal machine guns would do nicely to solve
this problem. They could probably be had pretty cheaply from Army surplus.
|
JohnH
Jan 11
|
| Is a discussion about machine guns more appropriate at
rec.machineguns.armysurplus? |
Jan 11
|
| has anyone ever been involved in anything closely resembling piracy in
or near U.S. waters? I have heard stories, altho unconfirmed of problems
in the area between the Bahamas and Cuba, territorial disputes, rogue
miltary actions, etc. but i have never really witnessed anything like this. i've met a few charter captains(primary extended dive and or fish
charters in SW Florida or Bahamas) who said they 'have something'
aboard, and they have also indicated many others do as well, but it is
not something they really advertise. |
DownTime
Jan 11
|
| The discussion was about the hazards of boating off the coast of Somalia. I can understand your being upset with the machine gun post if you missed
the earlier posts in the thread. I apologize, again, if that was the case
and I somehow offended you.
|
JohnH
Jan 11
|
| John, my post was an attempt at humor and to bring attention to the
inconsistent rules in this new and improved NG. What I think about the new and improved NG: I appreciate the new tone. However, I think that everyone needs to step
back and stop the netcopping (as I have been guilty of in the past, and
perhaps am guilty of with this post). I think folks should be allowed to
post whatever they want to. I think that folks should take it upon
themselves to decide what discussions they want to participate in. I think
some folks here need to remain consistent on what they find acceptable and
not acceptable here (I know I do). What do you think? |
Jan 11
|
| I used to carry a firearm on board when I went offshore fishing in
Florida, because there were tales of piracy. But I never had any
problems with suchlike. |
Harry
Jan 11
|
