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2010-04-22 Africa Horn

Somali Pirates Mistake French Naval Ship for Merchant... Again

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Posted by tu3031 2010-04-22 00:14|| || Front Page|| [11130 views ] Top

#1 I could understand it if the pirates were using only radar to attack targets - a ship just looks like a blob on the screen. But you'd think that the guns on the warship would be a tipoff if they identified their victims visually.

Posted by Rambler in Virginia 2010-04-22 00:43|| 2010-04-22 00:43|| Front Page Top

#2 Unfortunately for the pirates, the Somme, like most naval replenishment ships, really doesn't have warship lines. And from a small boat, you often can't see the weapons.

The non-warship lines are sometimes an advantage; during night time operational-deception exercises, USN 'oilers' used to masquerade as crude-carriers, right down to a fake oil company emblem on the stack.

Posted by Pappy 2010-04-22 00:58|| 2010-04-22 00:58|| Front Page Top

#3 You're right, Pappy. I just saw a picture of the Somme - it is a replenishment ship, so it would look like a regular cargo ship, until you got too close.
Personally, I think it is time for Q-ships to come back.

Posted by Rambler in Virginia 2010-04-22 01:05|| 2010-04-22 01:05|| Front Page Top

#4 What about the other skiff? Are they toast, or do they stay within motoring distance of the shore?

Posted by gorb 2010-04-22 02:09|| 2010-04-22 02:09|| Front Page Top

#5 Unintentional Q-ships. If it works...

I suspect the lawyers are working up some sort of 'determination' that its 'unfair' and such vessels must be painted bright international orange and mount color flashing lights to avoid confusion in the future. /sarc off [but just barely]

Posted by Procopius2k 2010-04-22 07:06|| 2010-04-22 07:06|| Front Page Top

#6 tw:
Intelligence not required.
More like "Intelligence a disqualification."

Posted by Glenmore 2010-04-22 07:34|| 2010-04-22 07:34|| Front Page Top

#7 Candidates for "idiots of the day." Darwin is going to remove some of them from the gene pool.

Posted by JohnQC 2010-04-22 08:00|| 2010-04-22 08:00|| Front Page Top

#8 More like "Intelligence a disqualification."

There is that, too, Glenmore. :-)

Posted by trailing wife 2010-04-22 08:20|| 2010-04-22 08:20|| Front Page Top

#9 One would imagine that with all the millions in ransom money the pirates could at least afford a couple of copies of Janes.

Posted by No I am the other Beldar 2010-04-22 11:11|| 2010-04-22 11:11|| Front Page Top

#10 Lawsuit from some Southeast Asian shipping concern which originally owned the 'mothership' back when it was a low-rent freighter in 1, 2, 3...

Posted by Mitch H. 2010-04-22 12:11|| http://blogfonte.blogspot.com/ 2010-04-22 12:11|| Front Page Top

#11 Dammit Proc - don't go and give the U.N. (and OBumbles) any ideas!

Posted by CrazyFool 2010-04-22 12:32|| 2010-04-22 12:32|| Front Page Top

#12 The FS SOMME kind of looks like a merchant ship. Thinking outside the box here but why not have several of these types trolling the coast? If that has been the plan, kudos to the French.

Posted by Cyber Sarge 2010-04-22 19:04|| 2010-04-22 19:04|| Front Page Top

#13 Hang em from the yardarm.
If they have a yardarm, if not, improvise.

Posted by bigjim-CA 2010-04-22 19:30|| 2010-04-22 19:30|| Front Page Top

#14 "Pirates attack French Military Replenishment Ship SOMME 6 pirates captured"

I think I see the problem....

Posted by Barbara Skolaut 2010-04-22 20:16|| 2010-04-22 20:16|| Front Page Top

#15 Lets hope the French don't turn the over to us. We might give them citizenship.

Posted by Charles 2010-04-22 20:49|| 2010-04-22 20:49|| Front Page Top

23:59 gorb
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