Somali pirates seize Saudi oil supertanker

PIRATES have seized the biggest booty ever taken on the high seas, capturing a fully-laden Saudi oil supertanker and its multinational crew, among them two British merchant seamen.

The Sirius Star - three times the size of an aircraft carrier and carrying its full complement of two million barrels of crude oil worth at least $US100 million ($154 million) - was hijacked in the early hours of Sunday 450 nautical miles southeast of Mombasa in Kenya, according to the US Fifth Fleet.

"This is unprecedented," Lieutenant Nathan Christensen, spokesman for the fleet said yesterday. "It's the largest ship that we've seen pirated."

Last night the Sirius Star was heading towards Eyl, a notorious pirate haven on the Somali coast, raising fears of an environmental catastrophe if the pirates run aground in waters far too shallow for the vast supertanker.

Shipping analysts said the cost of sending freight around the world would rise following the attack as a result of higher insurance premiums and an increase in charter rates.

The Sirius Star is the latest of more than 60 vessels to be captured off the Somali coast this year, but the first supertanker. Jitters over the ease with which pirates seized crude equivalent to a quarter of Saudi Arabia's daily output sent falling oil prices into reverse.

Arrr there... me hearties.

What piqued my interest when I read this article on the net, was that oil prices reportedly jumped up when this was announced.

As though the hijacking of one tanker with $100 million worth of oil, was a threat to the world oil supplies. The first thing that came to mind is that the oil "speculators", those same SOBs that caused the surge in oil prices last time, are back at it again.

I recall when oil was making it's surge from $70 to almost $150 per barrel, every little niggly news story that came out caused another price hike, even if what ever the story was about didn't actually effect the oil supplies.

Not sure why these ships don't simply alter their routes and sail further from the coast (beyond the range of the little speedboats the pirates are using). Would the extra fuel and extra sailing time (not that much extra), cost more than the increase they are going to face in insurance premiums, not to mention the potential costs if they do get hijacked ?

Or even cheaper still, install automated self defence systems. Basically a one off cost, with decesion to fire resting with command of the boat, once promted by the automated system.

This approach would probably have a quelling effect on the surge of piracy when a few of their brethren get blown out of the water.

Redback Weapon System Redback is a multi barrel 40mm remotely operated weapons systems (ROWS) which can instantly attack multiple targets with different munitions.

The Redback system offers a dual role capability and significantly improved lethality and target effect. It provides a lightweight offensive and defensive capability for all vehicles or fixed assets. At the upper end of its capability Redback is designed to intercept multiple rocket propelled grenades using conventional 40mm munitions.

Redback automatically tracks and registers targets. It can slew at speeds up to 700 deg/sec and can acquire and fire at 3 targets in approximately 1.2 seconds, selecting the appropriate munition for each target.

Redback consists of a lightweight gimbal, mount and weapon, weighing approx 70kg. It includes a combat proven fire control system that has thermal and imaging sensors as well as a laser rangefinder with a 5,000m range.

Redback can fire a range of high explosive, enhanced blast, air burst and less lethal munitions. Firepower can be precisely controlled to deliver one or more munition natures to target simultaneously, with the operator able to choose both fire rate and munition natures to provide an intense and accurate salvo of munitions.

http://www.metalstorm.com/component/option...d,6/Itemid,177/

A handy means of defence on an oil tanker when the offenders are already on the boat.

The only way these small craft could take such larger ships is by stealth. Play at harmless fishermen then scoot along side and board.

Bit late for firing a range of high explosive, enhanced blast, air burst and less lethal munitions then.

A handy means of defence on an oil tanker when the offenders are already on the boat.

The only way these small craft could take such larger ships is by stealth. Play at harmless fishermen then scoot along side and board.

Bit late for firing a range of high explosive, enhanced blast, air burst and less lethal munitions then.

Not at all. Any captain worth his stripes would not let an un-identified anywhere near his ship in known pirate infested waters.

Rule of sea and air is if you feel your ship/craft is in any danger whatsoever, you may take any action you deem necessary to protect it.

I remember with distinct clarity, from my pilot's studies, that if a passenger on my aeroplane was endangering the flight, I could use any necessary force including summary execution to ensure the survival of my ship.

Of course, if you executed somebody, you would have to be able to provide irrefutable proof that the ship was in danger & this was the only course of action available to you.

And from what I have read about the majority of these pirate attacks, speedboats are the main boarding craft.

Really think a dilapidated old fishing vessel that has a max speed of 8 knots could pace a supertanker or cargo carrier thats pushing 18 knots? No way jose!

If that is all still bothering you, I think that Metal Storm company also makes automated anti personal systems with visual recognition software.

This is all probably moot for a supertanker anyway. Don't know how firing live amunition near petroleum products would work out.

A few years back these Somali pirates attacked a cruise ship, firing rocket grenades into cabins through the portholes.

They were repelled when the crew used a sound wave weapon to drive them off. Perhaps this type of device could be deployed on all ships going through these waters.

Incidently, going further out to sea won't work because the pirates operate hundreds of miles offshore and ships tavelling through the Gulf of Aden don't have that much ocean to utilise.

"In 2005 CNN reported that the crew of the cruise ship Seabourn Spirit used a long range acoustic device (LRAD) to deter pirates who chased and attacked the ship"

Wiki

A handy means of defence on an oil tanker when the offenders are already on the boat.

The only way these small craft could take such larger ships is by stealth. Play at harmless fishermen then scoot along side and board.

Bit late for firing a range of high explosive, enhanced blast, air burst and less lethal munitions then.

Not at all. Any captain worth his stripes would not let an un-identified anywhere near his ship in known pirate infested waters.

Rule of sea and air is if you feel your ship/craft is in any danger whatsoever, you may take any action you deem necessary to protect it.

I remember with distinct clarity, from my pilot's studies, that if a passenger on my aeroplane was endangering the flight, I could use any necessary force including summary execution to ensure the survival of my ship.

Of course, if you executed somebody, you would have to be able to provide irrefutable proof that the ship was in danger & this was the only course of action available to you.

And from what I have read about the majority of these pirate attacks, speedboats are the main boarding craft.

Really think a dilapidated old fishing vessel that has a max speed of 8 knots could pace a supertanker or cargo carrier thats pushing 18 knots? No way jose!

If that is all still bothering you, I think that Metal Storm company also makes automated anti personal systems with visual recognition software.

This is all probably moot for a supertanker anyway. Don't know how firing live amunition near petroleum products would work out.

Still all a bit vague. Why would these pirate "fishing" ships only be capable of 8 knots? They've been plundering vessels for a few years now, shouldn't be too hard to get a decent engine set up in their boats.

If the captain's not going to let them near how do they get aboard? You can't have it both ways.

What if they're in his path? Sink them first and let God sort them out?

The history of piracy makes interesting reading, they are extremely difficult to combat because they're hard to find when not pirating. Try reading up on Henry Morgan, one of the more successful buccaneers. The British Empire gave him a knighthood and the governorship of Jamaica to give up the trade.

I was part of the commissioning crew for the Shell EA Sea Eagle, an FPSO offshore Nigeria. I was supposed to go offshore with it for HUC but declined as no money is enough to go there in my books. Anyway, pirates attacked that vessel and launched an RPG hitting one of the ballast tanks, imagine if they managed to hit a storage tank? kaboom.

see attached pics, FPSO and also the bridge of the support vessel.

Actually, if I recall correctly, if the RPG (or similar) hit a full storage tank, you'd probably end up with a major oil leak. However, if the tank wasn't full and the round exploded in the open area (full of fumes), then there'd be one hel_l of a bang !

I remember seeing pictures of gasoline tanker trucks shot full of holes with not so much as a spark or flicker of flame.

(Remember, a fire needs 3 things. Heat, oxygen and a source of ignition. An RPG round would provide 2 of the three (heat & iginition), but there's no oxygen within the fuel itself. If there is an open area, then there would be oxygen mixed with the fuel fumes.)

Various private security firms have been winning contracts to provide armed security to ships in these waters. This of course has raised concerns amongst some that, as in Iraq, the lack of control/oversight of these firms could lead to unnecessary gun battles and the deaths of innocent people.

I think they are worried about too many gung-ho ex-military/mercenary types that would be likely to blast any and everything that came near their ship, without properly ascertaining if it really was a threat. Being out at sea (especially in International Waters) would make it even more difficult to monitor what these firms will do/have done.

It does seem that they (the pirates) have not only gotten more brazen recently, but have increased in numbers and in the number of ships hijacked. Business must be good.

I was part of the commissioning crew for the Shell EA Sea Eagle, an FPSO offshore Nigeria. I was supposed to go offshore with it for HUC but declined as no money is enough to go there in my books. Anyway, pirates attacked that vessel and launched an RPG hitting one of the ballast tanks, imagine if they managed to hit a storage tank? kaboom.

see attached pics, FPSO and also the bridge of the support vessel.

That little baby I outlined above firing 40mm shells at a rate of 3000 per minute, would have taken care of the RPG, or so the manufacturers claim.

The Redback system offers a dual role capability and significantly improved lethality and target effect. It provides a lightweight offensive and defensive capability for all vehicles or fixed assets. At the upper end of its capability Redback is designed to intercept multiple rocket propelled grenades using conventional 40mm munitions.

If the captain's not going to let them near how do they get aboard? You can't have it both ways.

What if they're in his path? Sink them first and let God sort them out?

With almost all modern ships utilizing modern radar systems and anti-collision/vessel identification (transponders) software, the captain would know they were in his path at a range of thiry or forty nautical miles, giving him maybe two hours to alter his course enough to bypass the obstruction.

I believe the only way pirates can board these big ships is with speedboats or an insider on the crew or a helicopter.

The captain of the large ship would have a fair idea of another vessels intentions, if the other vessel approached to within two miles on the open sea, couldn't be identified or raised on radio & was moving faster than the large ship itself.

That would give him around 6 minutes to make the decision to safely use the ship's defence system.

Not sure why these ships don't simply alter their routes and sail further from the coast (beyond the range of the little speedboats the pirates are using). Would the extra fuel and extra sailing time (not that much extra), cost more than the increase they are going to face in insurance premiums, not to mention the potential costs if they do get hijacked ?

I think this was one of the ships that actually did alter it's route and sail further from the coast (450 miles i think). The normal route is to sail through the Suez Canal, of which that area is patrolled quite well by NATO but this vessel was too big to go through.

These Pirates have alot more skill and firepower than Blackbeard had.

Seriously though, these people could possibly affect the price we all pay for goods, never mind just Oil. If ships have to go around Africa, instead of nipping through the Suez. It will certainly add a couple of weeks in time and who knows what cost that would be.

Not sure why these ships don't simply alter their routes and sail further from the coast (beyond the range of the little speedboats the pirates are using). Would the extra fuel and extra sailing time (not that much extra), cost more than the increase they are going to face in insurance premiums, not to mention the potential costs if they do get hijacked ?

I think this was one of the ships that actually did alter it's route and sail further from the coast (450 miles i think). The normal route is to sail through the Suez Canal, of which that area is patrolled quite well by NATO but this vessel was too big to go through.

These Pirates have alot more skill and firepower than Blackbeard had.

Seriously though, these people could possibly affect the price we all pay for goods, never mind just Oil. If ships have to go around Africa, instead of nipping through the Suez. It will certainly add a couple of weeks in time and who knows what cost that would be.

The Sirius Star was in pretty much the correct place for a ship intending to transit the Cape of Good Hope to Europe. As you say she's too big to transit Suez.

A ship of that size could look to consume 120 tonnes of fuel a day at full speed.

Actually, if I recall correctly, if the RPG (or similar) hit a full storage tank, you'd probably end up with a major oil leak. However, if the tank wasn't full and the round exploded in the open area (full of fumes), then there'd be one hel_l of a bang !

I remember seeing pictures of gasoline tanker trucks shot full of holes with not so much as a spark or flicker of flame.

(Remember, a fire needs 3 things. Heat, oxygen and a source of ignition. An RPG round would provide 2 of the three (heat & iginition), but there's no oxygen within the fuel itself. If there is an open area, then there would be oxygen mixed with the fuel fumes.)

What if the pirates fired incendiary rounds?

How would the crew of these ships know what weapons are about to be used against them?

and

Why would any crew want to risk their lives to save their cargo?

What if the pirates fired incendiary rounds?

How would the crew of these ships know what weapons are about to be used against them?

and

Why would any crew want to risk their lives to save their cargo?

It's not likely pirates would start blasting a ship with ammunition they knew could destroy it. What would be the point ? Hard to ransom a ship that's on the bottom of the ocean. And if they did blast one and sink it, I think the world would suddenly start taking a lot more drastic action against the pirates.

Agreed that the crews are not likely to risk their lives defending their ship/cargo. That is what has allowed the pirates to be so successful so far. Fire a few shots in the air, board the ship with no resistance and then demand a ransom. The fact that it's been so easy for them, and that many, many companies have been paying the ransoms, has lead to an increase in occurrences.

Even with the current UN fleet (4 ships ?) and a couple from other countries, the pirates don't seem too concerned (though I doubt they'll play tough with a Navy ship again, after the INS Tabar showed it's willingness to shoot back).

I wonder what kind of confrontation the pirates are going to have with the Somali rebels ?

Supposedly, the rebels are planning on fighting the pirates, only because they hijacked a "Muslim" ship (hmmm, wonder if someone in Saudi made that suggestion to them ?).

Meanwhile, the pirates are supposedly increasing their presence in the towns and on the tanker, and warning that they will "defend" the ship against any attackers.

Then again, perhaps when the rebels find out just how lucrative the pirates business is, they may decide to join in themselves.

What if the pirates fired incendiary rounds?

How would the crew of these ships know what weapons are about to be used against them?

and

Why would any crew want to risk their lives to save their cargo?

Good point. Lots of people forget that the crews of merchant ships are civilians and have no military training at all. Nowadays they're often 3rd worlders getting not-terrific salaries too. I don't know what it's like now but when I worked VLCCs doing the Gulf-Good Hope-Europe trip our total armament consisted of a Webley revolver and a pair of handcuffs in the Old Man's safe. The only time they were ever used was when one of the crew went bonkers and we had to handcuff him for his own safety.

Many merchant seamen have served their country well in war zones with little recognition or compensation.

Over 30,000 British seaman died in WW2 alone.

Unfortunately the bit about 1/3 of ships flying the Red Ensign are no longer true...

Unfortunately the bit about 1/3 of ships flying the Red Ensign are no longer true...

You mean Britannia no longer rules the seas ! (also seen as "Britannia no longer rules the waves")

Now, like most other countries, Britannia Waives the Rules.

I sometimes feel personally responsible. When I first sailed with BP Tanker they had 110 ships under the UK flag. When I left 2 years later they had 12. I then moved to P&O who had 146 UK registered ships As I left 4 years later they had 10. All the rest had gone foreign flag

I sometimes feel personally responsible. When I first sailed with BP Tanker they had 110 ships under the UK flag. When I left 2 years later they had 12. I then moved to P&O who had 146 UK registered ships As I left 4 years later they had 10. All the rest had gone foreign flag

There'll be Tax implications associated with that, i'm sure Endure. Don't blame yourself, blame the gov't.

I'd fly the flag of the Flat Earth Society, sticking out of my ass, if it meant i could avoid tax

I paid tax once.

I can't say it's got much going for it though.

Perhaps one should look to other experiences for a solution, eg: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piracy_in_the_Strait_of_Malacca

It essentially entails beefing-up cooperative (multi-national) patrols in the short to medium term. Of course, the expanse to be patrolled would suggest that the strategy would need to be tweaked, but the issue is that if the pirates are venturing out 100s of miles, there should be a capacity for a response prior to an opportunity for the seized ship to be berthed. When (if!) political stability returns to Somalia, there may be some scope for addressing the problem at the domestic level.

When (if!) political stability returns to Somalia,

I suspect that will be shortly after the third (3rd) Coming of (insert favourite saviour here).

There is a lot of perfectly legal traffic in that area (fishing boats, coastal traders and other small commercial traffic) that must make it difficult to determine who is a potential pirate and who is just trying to make an (honest) living.

By the time you realize it's Cap'n Barbossa and crew, it be too late mateys !

It would take a significantly larger naval presence, with a mandate to pro-actively search any and all vessels in the area, in order to cut down on the pirates activities.

It should be made international law that ALL pirates HAVE to fly the Jolly Roger.

He's a bit old for flying

Nor does he look too jolly!

Personally, i think the term "Piracy" shouldn't be used. It romantises them and makes people think of Johnny Depp etc.

They should be called Sea Hijackers or Armed Robbers, as that is exactly what they are.

Piracy is actually a legal term in most countries and the penalties are usually considerably more severe than armed robbery or hijacking.

They used to have hanging on the books in HK for piracy, this was not too long ago either.........