• This is a political forum that is non-biased/non-partisan and treats every person's position on topics equally. This debate forum is not aligned to any political party. In today's politics, many ideas are split between and even within all the political parties. Often we find ourselves agreeing on one platform but some topics break our mold. We are here to discuss them in a civil political debate. If this is your first visit to our political forums, be sure to check out the RULES. Registering for debate politics is necessary before posting. Register today to participate - it's free!

Should US Navy do more concerning pirate attacks?

Should US Navy and military do more about pirate attacks off Africa?

  • Yes, the seas must remain safe and open.

    Votes: 18 60.0%

  • Maybe, but only in response to pirate attacks.

    Votes: 3 10.0%

  • No, we should not involve in unless US citizens are captured

    Votes: 8 26.7%

  • IDK/Other

    Votes: 1 3.3%
  • Total voters
    30
Kenya assumed custody March 5, 2009, of seven alleged Somali pirates, captured earlier by the U.S. Navy, with plans to prosecute the suspects swiftly in the Mombasa court system.

The Navy turned the suspects and evidence over to Kenya under the terms of a memorandum of understanding signed with the United States in January. The United Kingdom has a similar accord with Kenya -- which has agreed to prosecute pirates in its courts -- as part of a stepped-up effort to hold pirates accountable for their actions and deter future attacks in the Gulf of Aden and off the Somali coastline.
Click to expand...
Kenya Accepts Seven Alleged Pirates from U.S. Navy for Trial | United States Africa Command
 
APACHERAT said:
Still staying on topic, a few years ago it was discovered that these pirates in and around the Horn of Africa were using the internet to locate which ships they would target. < Live Ships Map - AIS - Vessel Traffic and Positions >

It shows live time where most merchant ships are located in the world, their Coordinates, speed and direction and what type of ship it is what flag they are flying etc. Usually with a photo of the ship.

When they discovered that any pirate with a laptop and access to satellite internet could locate a ship to hijack the word came down probably by the insurance companies not show what ships are in the Red Sea or Horn of Africa waters. If you go to the link above you'll notice they no longer show what ships that are in the area of the Horn of Africa.
Click to expand...

Damn you....

I'll be up all night now playing with that new link you posted. It's addictive!!!
 
joko104 said:
Pirates kidnap 2 US sailors off Nigerian coast

Pirates kidnapped the captain and engineer, both U.S. citizens, from a U.S.-flagged oil supply ship off the coast of Nigeria, sources say.

ABUJA/LONDON — Pirates attacked an oil supply vessel off the Nigerian coast and kidnapped the captain and chief engineer, both U.S. citizens, American officials said on Thursday as the Nigerian military ordered its Navy to rescue the men.

"We believe this was an act of piracy," U.S. State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said, adding that U.S. officials were closely monitoring the situation and seeking more information.

- - - -

There are hundreds of pirate attacks off the West and East African coast each year. Should the US Navy do more and devote more resources to preventing and responding to pirate attacks? Should the US military attack pirate bases of operation in Africa?
Click to expand...

In this case, I say yes. It's a U.S. (contract) vessel flying the U.S. flag in international waters. Yes, the U.S. Navy should do more. The Constitution all but warrants it. (Art. I, Sec. 8, clause 10). Of course, we could also use more help from the S. African naval forces.
 
Sadly the Obama administration won't allow it.
 
Activate or build some PT boats......they would take care of the problem....Oh and don't take prisoners.
 
Once again, many want the US to be the world's policemen. Someone even went so far as to suggest that we build PT's boats (create a weapons system specific to the problem). I hope none of these people are also posting complaining about the debt and deficits.
 
joko104 said:
PR isn't action.
Click to expand...

Here's a little non-PR info for you: CTF-150: Maritime Security | Combined Maritime Forces
Picture of CTF-150:
CTF-150.jpg


5th Fleet PC Force Grows to Eight Ships
And for historical reference, here's the numbers from back in 1998:
Washingtonpost.com: U.S. Troop Strength in the Persian Gulf

And this was US Navy 5th Fleet operations in January of 2012:
 
Last edited:
Beaudreaux said:
Here's a little non-PR info for you: CTF-150: Maritime Security | Combined Maritime Forces
Picture of CTF-150:
CTF-150.jpg


5th Fleet PC Force Grows to Eight Ships
And for historical reference, here's the numbers from back in 1998:
Washingtonpost.com: U.S. Troop Strength in the Persian Gulf
Click to expand...

So your view is that 8 ships covering 1% of the danger zones is getting the job done.

I remember Obama's sneering response in a debate about aircraft taking off of ships are reason most of the Navy and ships should be shut down.
 
joko104 said:
So your view is that 8 ships covering 1% of the danger zones is getting the job done.

I remember Obama's sneering response in a debate about aircraft taking off of ships are reason most of the Navy and ships should be shut down.
Click to expand...

8 Coastal Patrol ships is what that article discussed. The article shows that the US Navy is increasing its presence in the region and specifically with ships that can target piracy.

The US 5th fleet has more than just 8 ships.
 
Navy Pride said:
Activate or build some PT boats......they would take care of the problem....Oh and don't take prisoners.
Click to expand...

Oh, no. We cannot do that.

You want to murder these poor Muslim's that are just trying to survive after the terrible affects brought on by the Bush administration?

How terribly inhumane of you. Don't you know that these "Pirates" are no different from the economically depressed in the US where evil Republicans actually want them to work and earn things for themselves instead of giving them what they want, so they were forced into Piracy the same as so many in welfare areas in the US are forced into crime. They are victims. Where is you humanity that you want to blame and kill these victims?
 
Ships should have enough armed men to ward off these attacks in small boats, ridiculous
 
DVSentinel said:
Oh, no. We cannot do that.

You want to murder these poor Muslim's that are just trying to survive after the terrible affects brought on by the Bush administration?

How terribly inhumane of you. Don't you know that these "Pirates" are no different from the economically depressed in the US where evil Republicans actually want them to work and earn things for themselves instead of giving them what they want, so they were forced into Piracy the same as so many in welfare areas in the US are forced into crime. They are victims. Where is you humanity that you want to blame and kill these victims?
Click to expand...

I can't tell if this is sarcasm. If it is... well done. If not... WTF? :lol:
 
Rocketman said:
Ships should have enough armed men to ward off these attacks in small boats, ridiculous
Click to expand...
If more of these pirates died attempting to take a cargo vessel fewer would do the job.
 
Keeping the seas open is different from policing other nations internally. The USA has an interest in keeping the oceans open and safe.
 
people you wonder why we are in dept! its because we are always so busy policing the world and trying to spreed democracy but what we don't seem to release is that sometimes a dictator is needed. I mean ok alot of these guys are bad, bad guys who need to answer for their crimes, but when the peoples fear of them is the only thing holding countries together. If they dont exist, these countries will deteriorate into another Egypt, another Syria.
 
DVSentinel said:
I thought the comparison to welfare areas in the US would give it away. Anyone familiar with even a few of my post would recognize it as sarcasm coming from me.
Click to expand...

How often have we talked? No. I am not familiar.
 
I saw the movie about the pirate attack, and it was scary.

However, there is a simple solution:

The ship and crew involved were completely unarmed. That is how 4 Somali pirates in a tiny boat were able to board and take over the huge vessel. If the crew had as little as just a few rifles, it could have held them off, and likely finished them off for good.

Having our Navy do it is very expensive and can miss a lot of pirate attacks.

Solution: Any ships that might even get close to pirate waters (Somalia and Nigeria in particular), should arm themselves--rifles, shotguns, even a machine gun or two and some RPG's. Whenever pirates come, blow them out of the water. Pretty soon, there won't be any pirates left, and the problem is solved.
 
Goshin said:
I didn't see an option for "Allow the civilian vessels to arm themselves with light weapons".


That would be my answer.



Some are already hiring mercenaries... erm, I mean private security consultants....
Click to expand...

Agreed but its very difficult to make happen in practice. Putting arms on a vessel dramatically raises maritime and employee insurance costs and makes it very difficult to put your ship into harbor as most countries will not allow you to dock with weapons on board. Realistically you would need an international convention to make this workable on a large scale. That leaves the Navy as the course of action.
 
ronpaulvoter said:
I saw the movie about the pirate attack, and it was scary.

However, there is a simple solution:

The ship and crew involved were completely unarmed. That is how 4 Somali pirates in a tiny boat were able to board and take over the huge vessel. If the crew had as little as just a few rifles, it could have held them off, and likely finished them off for good.

Having our Navy do it is very expensive and can miss a lot of pirate attacks.

Solution: Any ships that might even get close to pirate waters (Somalia and Nigeria in particular), should arm themselves--rifles, shotguns, even a machine gun or two and some RPG's. Whenever pirates come, blow them out of the water. Pretty soon, there won't be any pirates left, and the problem is solved.
Click to expand...

Really difficult to enact in practice. Just to copy what I had put earlier: Putting arms on a vessel dramatically raises maritime and employee insurance costs and makes it very difficult to put your ship into harbor as most countries will not allow you to dock with weapons on board and you cant exactly ditch them over the side when you reach your destination. Realistically you would need an international convention to make this workable on a large scale.
 
JJB3333 said:
people you wonder why we are in dept! its because we are always so busy policing the world and trying to spreed democracy but what we don't seem to release is that sometimes a dictator is needed. I mean ok alot of these guys are bad, bad guys who need to answer for their crimes, but when the peoples fear of them is the only thing holding countries together. If they dont exist, these countries will deteriorate into another Egypt, another Syria.
Click to expand...


You write the same posts all over the board. For someone so concerned about the debt you might as well start spelling it right. DEBT.
 
Sherman123 said:
You write the same posts all over the board. For someone so concerned about the debt you might as well start spelling it right. DEBT.
Click to expand...


A. Its an important issue with me.
B. my computer keeps auto-correcting it to dept.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom