Navy Destroys Pirate Ship in Gulf of Aden
The Indian Navy recorded a rare victory in the growing battle against pirates operating in waters between the Arabian peninsula and the Horn of Africa.
Officials in the region are reporting that an Indian naval ship fired upon and destroyed a suspected pirate "mother ship" in the Gulf of Aden at some point in recent days. This news was released amidst the ongoing negotiations with pirates regarding the possible release and ransom of a Saudi oil tanker that was captured by pirates off the coast of Somalia. The supertanker is reported to be holding nearly $100 million in Saudi oil.
At this point in the escalating situation with pirates in that part of the world, the Indian Navy seems to be the only group making progress in impeding the pirates' attacks. In addition to destroying a suspected pirate mother ship, the Indian Navy also recently turned back an attack by pirates on another ship in the Gulf of Aden. An Indian Navy helicopter and other marine forces were able to intercept an attacking band of pirates and keep them from reaching their intended target.
Originally isolated to the waters off of the Somali coast, pirate activity has spread rapidly outward from this area. Authorities are citing the fact that there is little risk for the pirates and high ransoms to be paid when commercial vessels are captured. Although a multi-national force has been assembled to police the area, there are simply too many ships and too many pirates to adequately control the issue.
And given the willingness - understandably so - of ship owners to pay ransoms to have their cargoes released, it seems only a matter of time before crew members and pirates start working together to extort money from the ship owners.
At this point in the escalating situation with pirates in that part of the world, the Indian Navy seems to be the only group making progress in impeding the pirates' attacks. In addition to destroying a suspected pirate mother ship, the Indian Navy also recently turned back an attack by pirates on another ship in the Gulf of Aden. An Indian Navy helicopter and other marine forces were able to intercept an attacking band of pirates and keep them from reaching their intended target.
Originally isolated to the waters off of the Somali coast, pirate activity has spread rapidly outward from this area. Authorities are citing the fact that there is little risk for the pirates and high ransoms to be paid when commercial vessels are captured. Although a multi-national force has been assembled to police the area, there are simply too many ships and too many pirates to adequately control the issue.
And given the willingness - understandably so - of ship owners to pay ransoms to have their cargoes released, it seems only a matter of time before crew members and pirates start working together to extort money from the ship owners.
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