Little-Acorn
04-08-2009, 11:16 AM
Sounds like the U.S. crew of that ship, showed some balls, and didn't just "sit back, do what the bad guys say, and wait for someone else to rescue you".
Wonder if the crew had weapons on board? If so, how did they get access to them? Thinking about it, a hijacking at sea doesn't sneak up on you instantaneously. You see the bad guys coming, you can usually tell they're bad guys, and you probably have a few minutes to arm yourselves if you have the tools. No doubt the bad guys then disarmed them, of course, but maybe they missed a hideout on one or two of the crew?
KUDOES to the crew of the ship!!!
P.S. If the crew DIDN'T have weapons, then that makes the retaking of their ship even more impressive.
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http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D97ECKC80&show_article=1
Pentagon believes US crew in control of ship
Apr 8 11:00 AM US/Eastern
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Pentagon says the American crew of a hijacked ship has regained control of the vessel.
Pentagon sources spoke on condition of anonymity because information was still preliminary. But sources said Wednesday the hijacked crew apparently contacted the private shipping company they work for.
The shipping company, Maersk, has scheduled a noon news conference in Norfolk, Va.
The ship was captured by pirates near the coast of Somalia, in what is believed to be the first hostage-taking of American sailors in 200 years.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.
_________________________________
WASHINGTON (AP)—Across the national security establishment, the United States urgently sought answers Wednesday for what is believed to be the first American hostage-taking by pirates in 200 years. The crew of the U.S.-flag ship hijacked off the coast of Somalia was believed to be safe.
President Barack Obama's chief spokesman said the White House was assessing a course of action. Press secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters that officials there monitoring the incident closely. Said Gibbs: "Our top priority is the personal safety of the crew members on board." The White House would say no more about what actions it was considering.
Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said there had been no communications from the pirates for ransom. But he would not go into military plans. "I'm not going to speculate on any future military actions," Whitman said, when asked what the U.S. military may do.
The UK Maritime Security Centre (Horn of Africa), an organization run by the European Union's Naval Force, said the crew was safe. British maritime officials had been able to contact the 17,000-ton Maersk Alabama, according to a U.S. defense official in Washington who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak on the record.
Another U.S. official said similar information about the crew's apparent safety was passed during a 9 a.m. EDT conference call Wednesday among U.S. national security, military and homeland security officials.
(Full text of the article can be read at the above URL)
Wonder if the crew had weapons on board? If so, how did they get access to them? Thinking about it, a hijacking at sea doesn't sneak up on you instantaneously. You see the bad guys coming, you can usually tell they're bad guys, and you probably have a few minutes to arm yourselves if you have the tools. No doubt the bad guys then disarmed them, of course, but maybe they missed a hideout on one or two of the crew?
KUDOES to the crew of the ship!!!
P.S. If the crew DIDN'T have weapons, then that makes the retaking of their ship even more impressive.
-------------------------------------------
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D97ECKC80&show_article=1
Pentagon believes US crew in control of ship
Apr 8 11:00 AM US/Eastern
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Pentagon says the American crew of a hijacked ship has regained control of the vessel.
Pentagon sources spoke on condition of anonymity because information was still preliminary. But sources said Wednesday the hijacked crew apparently contacted the private shipping company they work for.
The shipping company, Maersk, has scheduled a noon news conference in Norfolk, Va.
The ship was captured by pirates near the coast of Somalia, in what is believed to be the first hostage-taking of American sailors in 200 years.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.
_________________________________
WASHINGTON (AP)—Across the national security establishment, the United States urgently sought answers Wednesday for what is believed to be the first American hostage-taking by pirates in 200 years. The crew of the U.S.-flag ship hijacked off the coast of Somalia was believed to be safe.
President Barack Obama's chief spokesman said the White House was assessing a course of action. Press secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters that officials there monitoring the incident closely. Said Gibbs: "Our top priority is the personal safety of the crew members on board." The White House would say no more about what actions it was considering.
Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said there had been no communications from the pirates for ransom. But he would not go into military plans. "I'm not going to speculate on any future military actions," Whitman said, when asked what the U.S. military may do.
The UK Maritime Security Centre (Horn of Africa), an organization run by the European Union's Naval Force, said the crew was safe. British maritime officials had been able to contact the 17,000-ton Maersk Alabama, according to a U.S. defense official in Washington who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak on the record.
Another U.S. official said similar information about the crew's apparent safety was passed during a 9 a.m. EDT conference call Wednesday among U.S. national security, military and homeland security officials.
(Full text of the article can be read at the above URL)