Captain Phillips: new Tom Hanks movie about Somali pirates and commercial shipping

[ukmctc]

it was the first boat attacked successfully by the pirates but according to the crew, the film is Hollywood, nothing like what happened, and the skipper was an ass and ignored warnings about pirates nearly getting them all killed!

 

[alant]

"The pirates were played by real Somali's, who apparently answered an ad' "

What on earth did the ad say?

"Want an exciting change from your day job?
Give up Banking & become a Pirate.

No previous experience required, full training given.
Applicants must be good at climbing ropes from a moving small boat & not averse to shooting/kidnapping innocent people.
At the end of training, you will enjoy lifetime skills, such as ability to use an AK 47 & RPG."

Certificates will be given at the end of this course (a Pirate Yachting Association (PYA) log book also given free to all applicants, in which to stick your certificate), which will also allow you to live freely aboard any luxury yacht you happen upon, should you feel inclined.

Preference given to Somali speakers".

 

[TiggerToo]

 

[Koeketiene]

it was the first boat attacked successfully by the pirates

Do you mean the first successful attack by these particular pirates or by pirates in general?

The first ship successfully captured by Somali pirates was the Hong Kong flagged LPG carrier FEISTY FLAG (March 10th 2005)
The MV MEARSK ALABAMA attack took place on March 08th 2009

 

[l'escargot]

Do you mean the first successful attack by these particular pirates or by pirates in general?

The first ship successfully captured by Somali pirates was the Hong Kong flagged LPG carrier FEISTY FLAG (March 10th 2005)
The MV MEARSK ALABAMA attack took place on March 08th 2009

It was the first American ship successfully taken by pirates.

 

[chinita]

I thought Maersk was Danish.

 

[Greenheart]

I wonder if 2-metre-high bulwarks around the sidedecks might be part of container ship design in future? With a slight tumblehome to deflect bullets? Actually it wouldn't have to be armoured - if ships' crews couldn't be seen, they'd be much less likely to be hit even by sustained machine-gun fire. Meanwhile, they could drop grenades through hawse-holes.

If big steel ships with few humans on board gave a response remotely worthy of their vast unstoppable proportions, I doubt the pirates would keep threatening them.

Although, the Maersk Alabama isn't nearly as big as the company's record-breaking flagships. Quite petite really, at 500ft and 17,000 tonnes. I suppose therein lies the danger.

View attachment 36125

Tatty, isn't she? I expect the film company bought her with small change found between one of the producers' sofa cushions.

 

[prv]

I wonder if 2-metre-high bulwarks around the sidedecks might be part of container ship design in future? With a slight tumblehome to deflect bullets? Actually it wouldn't have to be armoured - if ships' crews couldn't be seen, they'd be much less likely to be hit even by sustained machine-gun fire.

In pirate-infested areas, I believe the idea is for nobody to go on deck at all, or at least very carefully controlled. Everybody remains in the accommodation, bridge, and engine room, and the doors are locked. I only have a little experience with either, but I'd expect normal ship construction to be proof against rifle fire as-is. The problem is that once they've managed to board it's only a matter of time before they're able to force entry and threaten the crew. At that point the standard response is to surrender and wait to be ransomed.

Meanwhile, they could drop grenades through hawse-holes.

Ships' crews are generally unarmed. Once you've decided that weapons on the ship are ok, you might as well just put a 30mm autocannon on each bridge wing and sink the skiffs outside effective AK47 range.

Pete

 

[Greenheart]

Once you've decided that weapons on the ship are ok, you might as well just put a 30mm autocannon on each bridge wing and sink the skiffs outside effective AK47 range.

Like it! Given the value of container-ship cargoes, and their unwieldy size and stature, I think they might as well be seriously armed. It's not like arming a Sunseeker, which might then be used and abused immediately, anywhere, for calamitous criminal endeavours...mounted permanently on a large ship, any gunnery could only be for the vessel's defence.

I would expect word to get around pretty quickly amongst the pirates, that these vessels aren't to be messed-about with...if they demonstrated some serious self-defence.

 

[prv]

I would expect word to get around pretty quickly amongst the pirates, that these vessels aren't to be messed-about with...if they demonstrated some serious self-defence.

I believe this is pretty much the Russian attitude.

Part of the reason why not is a desire not to escalate things. At the moment, crews are generally kidnapped, ransomed, and released more or less unharmed. There is a concern that if all ships carry substantial weaponry the pirates will also tool up to defeat them. Fine as long as you stay ahead of them in the arms race, but if you don't then you're dead.

Pete

 

[l'escargot]

I thought Maersk was Danish.

They might be but MV Maersk ALABAMA is American flagged.

 

[obmij]

Do you mean the first successful attack by these particular pirates or by pirates in general?

The first ship successfully captured by Somali pirates was the Hong Kong flagged LPG carrier FEISTY FLAG (March 10th 2005)
The MV MEARSK ALABAMA attack took place on March 08th 2009

Are you sure?

We went through in 1998 (yacht). Even then ships were being taken and we were fully armed because of this.

 

[alant]

I wonder if 2-metre-high bulwarks around the sidedecks might be part of container ship design in future? With a slight tumblehome to deflect bullets? Actually it wouldn't have to be armoured - if ships' crews couldn't be seen, they'd be much less likely to be hit even by sustained machine-gun fire. Meanwhile, they could drop grenades through hawse-holes.

If big steel ships with few humans on board gave a response remotely worthy of their vast unstoppable proportions, I doubt the pirates would keep threatening them.

Although, the Maersk Alabama isn't nearly as big as the company's record-breaking flagships. Quite petite really, at 500ft and 17,000 tonnes. I suppose therein lies the danger.

View attachment 36125

Tatty, isn't she? I expect the film company bought her with small change found between one of the producers' sofa cushions.

Don't think ships are proofed against RPG's.

 

[l'escargot]

I wonder if 2-metre-high bulwarks around the sidedecks might be part of container ship design in future? ....

Have you not seen these: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...illion-plastic-rail-STOPS-pirates-tracks.html to stop them getting on board? They have had similar constructions on prison walls for 40 or more years which have proven very effective at preventing rope scaling.

 

[Koeketiene]

I thought Maersk was Danish.

Maersk - the company is Danish.

However, not all of their ships are owned and operated by them - some are on long-term charter.
You can tell by the name.

Ships called XXX MAERSK (eg Emma Maersk) - are Maersk owned and nearly always danish flagged.
Ships called MAERSK XXX (eg Maersk Alabama) - are ships on long-term charter.

 

[Koeketiene]

Do you mean the first successful attack by these particular pirates or by pirates in general?

The first ship successfully captured by Somali pirates was the Hong Kong flagged LPG carrier FEISTY FLAG (March 10th 2005)
The MV MEARSK ALABAMA attack took place on March 08th 2009

Are you sure?

We went through in 1998 (yacht). Even then ships were being taken and we were fully armed because of this.

See highlight above

 

[Mariner69]

Perhaps you mean successfully taken since Atlantic Building came on stream.

Before then there were a number of reported successes of small vessels of middle eastern flags.

There were also a number of attempts on post Telic 1 vessels in 2003; although unsuccessful due to the naval party lurking on board.

I was amazed to be told at one meeting that the reduction in attacks in July was attributable to the new interdiction force. They were not best pleased when it was pointed out to them that the south west monsoon was far more effective at curbing small boat operations than any number of warships.

A Greek ship owning friend of mine had one of his vessels taken hostage and it cost him shed loads to have it released. More than a few Brits involved in the dealing with the 'bad boys' for payment of the ransom. It is now a pretty effective business with quite a substantial tail of money finding its way into Europe in general and the UK in particular.

 

[Daydream believer]

A Greek ship owning friend of mine had one of his vessels taken hostage and it cost him shed loads to have it released. More than a few Brits involved in the dealing with the 'bad boys' for payment of the ransom. It is now a pretty effective business with quite a substantial tail of money finding its way into Europe in general and the UK in particular.

Can we ship a few teenagers out there on job experience as pirates. Their practical experience at trading in drugs should be a good qualification.
If it is helping the balance of payments the HM gov should be in on to it
is it being taxed or is it regarded as "Offshore" earnings

 

[chinita]

Maersk - the company is Danish.

However, not all of their ships are owned and operated by them - some are on long-term charter.
You can tell by the name.

Ships called XXX MAERSK (eg Emma Maersk) - are Maersk owned and nearly always danish flagged.
Ships called MAERSK XXX (eg Maersk Alabama) - are ships on long-term charter.

Thanks for that.

I have now taken up Maersk Spotting as next years cheap hobby!

 

[Old Rhodie]

I actually enjoyed it thoroughly. I found the acting very convincing and I felt that they had gone to a lot of trouble to make it clear that the pirates were under great pressure from their "warlord" or "elder" to get out and capture ships. Failure was not an option for them. So I don't accept the earlier comment " Somali pirates as seen by Hollywood." as a fair reflection of the film.