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Africa Horn | ||
How to Spot a Pirate (Seriously) | ||
2006-03-10 | ||
![]() Boat Size: Most pirates, whether in the northwestern Indian Ocean, off Somalia, or in the region around the Straits of Malacca, are using relatively small boats, essentially the same size as used by the local fishermen. So if a couple of fishing skiffs try to approach you, watch out. And be especially careful if they're moving at a good clip. That's because ordinary fishermen are loath to open up their engines, since fuel is money.
Crew Size: Most fishing boats have at most three crewmen. If there are more than that in a boat, or in nearby several boats, it's likely that someone's up to no good. Fishing Gear: If you don't spot nets or other equipment associated with fishing, the boat may be looking for bigger game. Birds: Fishing boats usually are accompanied by little clouds of sea birds; no birds, no fish, and that means pirates. Fishing Grounds: Even in the relatively undeveloped regions where piracy flourishes, local governments usually maintain websites identifying fisheries, particularly those in their exclusive economic zones. If you spot fishing boats far from any of these, caution would be advised Weapons: Even if there are only two or three guys in a boat, if they're waving weapons around, it's probably a good idea to avoid them.
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Posted by:Steve |
#17 I can't believe the Navy or Coast Guard hasn't built a handful of Q ships, loaded them with marines and just sailed around looking for trouble. This could be a great hobby! Much more exciting than bass fishing. Time for Congress to get off their porky butts and issue some Letters of Marque and Reprisal. Argh, indeed! |
Posted by: SteveS 2006-03-10 16:14 |
#16 Hail, Ace. |
Posted by: Seafarious 2006-03-10 16:07 |
#15 All hail Ace, four-hooved king of the pirates! |
Posted by: Phil 2006-03-10 16:00 |
#14 Looking good with the patch, Ace! Trolling for pirates. Will have to have a variety of vessels. As long as you sink each attacker and take out the crew ( |
Posted by: Alaska Paul in Hooper Bay, AK 2006-03-10 15:14 |
#13 Hi ya Ace! |
Posted by: 6 2006-03-10 13:23 |
#12 Arrrr, I be a Pirate!!![]() |
Posted by: Deacon Blues 2006-03-10 13:20 |
#11 Lol, Moose. For those that wanna look like a ninja, at least, here's how... |
Posted by: .com 2006-03-10 13:07 |
#10 The best bet is to send in the Pirates' natural enemies, THE NINJAS!:![]() |
Posted by: Anonymoose 2006-03-10 13:01 |
#9 In addition to converting some freighters to Q-ships, we'll need a C&C ship. I have an idea: US Navy CVN-21, USS John F Kennedy It's being retired, is non-Nuclear, and still capable of putting up some serious air power... |
Posted by: mojo 2006-03-10 12:16 |
#8 I can't believe the Navy or Coast Guard hasn't built a handful of Q ships, loaded them with marines and just sailed around looking for trouble. I'm surprised they haven't loaded GPS gear into the bulkhead of a ship, declared an emergency so as to leave it abandoned near pirate waters, and let the pirates take the boat to port to see where it goes. I'm surprised they haven't gotten some cargo with GPS gear on it and (and some explosives) tried to have it shipped for super low cost hoping for a shady ship to take it on and disappear with it, leading them back to the pirate base where it could be detonated. Two months with serious attitude and the pirates could be cleaned out. |
Posted by: rjschwarz 2006-03-10 11:16 |
#7 Argh! (It just had to be said) |
Posted by: Dreadnought 2006-03-10 11:14 |
#6 This article reads like rules of engagement for the Q-ship . . . once we get a Q-ship in commission, that is. |
Posted by: Mike 2006-03-10 10:34 |
#5 Look for peg-legs, and listen for cries of "Avast, ye scurvy lubbers!" |
Posted by: mojo 2006-03-10 10:33 |
#4 If you are cruising in |
Posted by: Alaska Paul in Hooper Bay, AK 2006-03-10 10:28 |
#3 Try shouting "Yo ho! Yo Ho!" to the unidentified boaters. Pirates will respond with "It's the pirate's life for me!" |
Posted by: Robert Crawford 2006-03-10 10:23 |
#2 A few days ago someone here pointed out that "You might be a pirate if..." You are wearing camo pants under the traditional fishers' robes. |
Posted by: Seafarious 2006-03-10 10:21 |
#1 Birds: Fishing boats usually are accompanied by little clouds of sea birds; no birds, no fish, and that means pirates. Unless of course, they have parrots onboard. |
Posted by: Penguin 2006-03-10 10:12 |