Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Piracy Progress?

Are we finally getting serious about piracy...?


The 306,500-dwt Artemis Glory (built 2006) came under attacked at about 06:35
GMT on Monday whilst sailing south east through the Gulf of Oman.

A UK Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship is said to received a mayday call from the VLCC, which was relayed to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) in Dubai.

UKMTO confirmed with the master of the Artemis Glory that she was being pursued by a skiff with four men on board who were firing upon the vessel.

The US Navy destroyer USS Bulkeley then responded to the mayday
and launched her helicopter to investigate the incident.

“The helicopter observed the Artemis Glory under attack by four individuals in a
skiff, who were firing upon the ship with small arms,” the US Navy confirmed.

“Under the principle of ‘extended unit self defence’ and in order to provide protection to the crew of the Artemis Glory, Bulkeley’s helicopter engaged the pirates. All of
the pirates are believed to have been killed.”

Principle of extended unit self-defence, huh? How about the principle of "pirates suck and should be sent to a watery grave"? Still, I'll take it. It's alot better than the complete failure of the civilized world that has prevailed up until now.

0 Comments:

Post a Comment

<< Home