Thai Navy disrupts Somali pirate attack on Liberian-flagged vessel

[News_Editor]

Thai Navy disrupts Somali pirate attack on Liberian-flagged vessel

2010-11-01 23:11:21 GMT+7 (ICT)

MOGADISHU, SOMALIA (BNO NEWS) -- A Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) naval vessel was able to disrupt a Somali pirate attack on a Liberian-flagged vessel last Thursday, CMF said on Monday.

The Liberian-flagged merchant vessel MV Hellespont Protector was transiting the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC) last Thursday when it was attacked by suspected pirates, who fired at the vessel with AK47 assault rifles.

HTMS Similan, from the Royal Thai Navy, was nearby to assist as the CMF continues to have a large naval coalition presence within the region. The Fusu-class replenishment ship, currently supporting Combined Task Force 151, immediately launched its helicopter to investigate the pirate skiff.

With the MV Hellespont Protector increasing its speed, the suspected pirates were unable to catch the merchant vessel and aborted their attack, dropping their weapons into the water in an attempt to escape.

Within minutes, HTMS Similan's boarding team apprehended the skiff and, after taking records, the skiff was forced back to the Somali coast. A warning of suspected pirate activity was issued to fishing boats and commercial ships in the region.

"The MV Hellespont Protector did the right thing by increasing its speed, as stated in the counter-piracy Best Management Practices," Commander Combined Task Force 151 (CTF-151), Turkish Rear Admiral Sinan Ertugrul stated.

"HTMS Similan proved yet again that coalition forces in the region are ready and fully capable to respond to emergency situations. We remain in the area as a genuine and legitimate force for good, providing maritime security to all lawful and legitimate seafarers," Eregrul added.

CTF-151 was established in January 2009 as a multi-national counter-piracy task force. In conjunction with NATO and European Union Naval Force, ships from CTF-151 patrol in the Somali Basin and the IRTC in the Gulf of Aden.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2010-11-01

[Buchholz]

Congratulations and well done to the officers and crew of His Thai Majesty's Ship (HTMS) Similan.

Terrific job, guys.

[sirchai]

Guess there was a lot of Lao Khao and Bang Fai rockets involved.................:jap:

[MAJIC]

Congratulations and well done to the officers and crew of His Thai Majesty's Ship (HTMS) Similan.

Terrific job, guys.

Seconded.

[Longtooth]

I must, in all honesty, say I was looking forward to reading about attacking pirate boats, armed with automatic weapons, being blown out of the water into tiny splinters. Searched and repelled, after an armed attack, is going to be a "forever job." Possibly it is another example of the political policy of NATO trying to be so correct, that the forces they oversee have their hands tied. (Possibly I should have used a stronger word than "possibly".)

Edited November 1, 2010 by Longtooth

[ronz28]

I must, in all honesty, say I was looking forward to reading about attacking pirate boats, armed with automatic weapons, being blown out of the water into tiny splinters. Searched and repelled, after an armed attack, is going to be a "forever job." Possibly it is another example of the political policy of NATO trying to be so correct, that the forces they oversee have their hands tied. (Possibly I should have used a stronger word than "possibly".)

Fair game.Blow them out of the water and then bomb their base camps targeting their gang leaders. Another job for the drones. Got to make it unprofitable and deadly for the pirates to do this.

[Buchholz]

I must, in all honesty, say I was looking forward to reading about attacking pirate boats, armed with automatic weapons, being blown out of the water into tiny splinters.

Different situations call for different naval strategies. The reported incident worked best to have helo ops from HTMS Similan deal with it. A different situation might call for His Thai Majesty's Ship Pattani (the other ship involved in the effort) to unleash its Otomelara as the best strategy.

HTMS Pattani and its Otomelara 76/62 main gun

It's depicted here for 3 minutes on a Norwegian Navy ship showing both single shot and rapid fire mode (80 rounds per minute):

[DP25]

Great job

Too bad it has to be catch and release though

[SergeiY]

I must, in all honesty, say I was looking forward to reading about attacking pirate boats, armed with automatic weapons, being blown out of the water into tiny splinters. Searched and repelled, after an armed attack, is going to be a "forever job." Possibly it is another example of the political policy of NATO trying to be so correct, that the forces they oversee have their hands tied. (Possibly I should have used a stronger word than "possibly".)

You just don't follow the news. This is from last week.

Danish Navy Blows Up Suspected Pirate Boat

[haveaniceday]

It has reached a point that the insurance companies have got together, I read in a news story and now they are forming a private escort navy that will have very different rules of engagement in protecting them selves and their ship than the national navies who's hands are tied the story was saying.

I personally don't know much about the subject and who can legally sink who though.

If up to me, the pirates should have what they give given back to them, fatally.

Edited November 2, 2010 by haveaniceday

[random]

, Turkish Rear Admiral Sinan Ertugrul stated.

Not being a racist, but does this guy really know what he's talking about? Mr. Sinan doesn't like Kurds.:jap:

A very off topic reply.

It sounds like you don't like Turks, does that mean you don't know what you are talking about?

Please stick to the topic.

That's a bit rich coming from you

[greg48000]

Excellent job carried out by the Thai Navy.

It is a pity people who dont really know the true story make rash comments about the UN within Somalia.

Maybe if you look into the current work being conducted by several UN agancies working in and/or supporting those agancies then a different attitude may be displayed! Somalia is a powder keg, and the current UN working within Somalia are do a fantastic job under trying conditions....... Homework first before foot-in-mouth! .. google AlShabab or AMISOM then i'll look forward to a positive response!

Again .. well done Thai Navy!

[cdnvic]

2 posts/posters removed for trolling and making racist posts, neither of which we tolerate.

Edit: removed reply to deleted post.

Edited November 2, 2010 by cdnvic

[dude007]

Great job

Too bad it has to be catch and release though

In the Garamba National Park in DRC (former Zaire), no prisoners were ever maid amongst the poachers. They were recycled into food for the Garamba crocodiles... This was the only way to preserve and protect the last 25 white rhinoceros of the North. And nobody complained about this way of action. You think the world would give a dam_n for those merciless pirates who's only aim is to ask huge ransoms for their innocent victims, disrupt commercial navigation and eventually kill.

Maybe the Thai navy should have pulled them further into the sea after taking their gasoline, give them a few bottles of water and let them float them some hundreds of miles away from the coastline. I am sure it would have been more useful and efficient...

[BOS2BKK]

I must, in all honesty, say I was looking forward to reading about attacking pirate boats, armed with automatic weapons, being blown out of the water into tiny splinters. Searched and repelled, after an armed attack, is going to be a "forever job." Possibly it is another example of the political policy of NATO trying to be so correct, that the forces they oversee have their hands tied. (Possibly I should have used a stronger word than "possibly".)

The Thai assault crew took 200 Baht each in Tea money and threw the guns overboard so they wouldn't have to write a report. :-)

But Seriously. Good job to all onboard HTMS Similan

[Dellboy218]

It has reached a point that the insurance companies have got together, I read in a news story and now they are forming a private escort navy that will have very different rules of engagement in protecting them selves and their ship than the national navies who's hands are tied the story was saying.

I personally don't know much about the subject and who can legally sink who though.

If up to me, the pirates should have what they give given back to them, fatally.

As someone who has had to put up with pirates in various parts of the world for the past 40 years I can only say 'I wish'. To myself and my colleagues it always seemd totally pointless to send a floating gun platform out to sea at whatever cost, if one is not prepared to use those guns. The pirates know that the chances of any retaliation, at least up until recently will be very small. We have seen them waving and laughing at Naval helicopters on many occasions. Before Somalia it was the Malacca straits for 20 years. Strangely enough that all died down after the Tsunami in 2004. Many a time a ship has been steaming through that narrow waterway with no one in command. A fully laded ULCC can draw over 23 metres under the water limiting the vessel to a narrow channel in which to move safely. Imagine that lot going up a beach in the straits either out of control or deliberately. Other nastier cargoes do not bare thinking about. This is not the 18th century, there are no secret pirate bases. It is a sad reflection on todays world that it has got this far. In another world all the boats would have been destroyed on the beaches. There is also another question involved with the 'Somali pirates'. If one finds it difficult to be able to credit what supposedly were small time inshore fishermen (complaining about fishing rights) on very small craft with the ability to mount very far reaching raids with all the logistical problems that entails and 'just happen' upon a target in the middle of nowhere then one must consider there are 'outside influences'. Or perhaps there are not paymasters elsewhere taking their cut after all! Well done to the Thai Navy and I hope you get some target practice!

[BigSkip]

Bravo Zulu to the Navy! Great Job! Fair Winds & Following Seas!

[nong38]

Well done the Navy and I would be more than happy for the combined nval force to blow these naugthy boys ships/boats up from underneath them, a few long swims home might just put them off next time, what is the point of arresting them, putting them on trial in the East of Africa? They get a quick slap and then they are at it again. Destroy their transport home is the best policy.

[bob6023]

Now is the time for the "hang 'em High" boys to post.

[nithisa78]

Congratulations and well done to the officers and crew of His Thai Majesty's Ship (HTMS) Similan.

Terrific job, guys.

Great job. More focus on this from the national and international communities. -cp

[Garry]

I must, in all honesty, say I was looking forward to reading about attacking pirate boats, armed with automatic weapons, being blown out of the water into tiny splinters. Searched and repelled, after an armed attack, is going to be a "forever job." Possibly it is another example of the political policy of NATO trying to be so correct, that the forces they oversee have their hands tied. (Possibly I should have used a stronger word than "possibly".)

You just don't follow the news. This is from last week.

Danish Navy Blows Up Suspected Pirate Boat

Quote from your link:

Spokesman Kenneth Nielsen said Wednesday that the warship Esbern Snare intercepted a suspicious boat Tuesday, confiscated weapons and fuel, and detained six suspected pirates. The Danes then used explosives to mine and sink the boat.

The suspected pirates were later released since officials said no crime had been committed.

Does that me the Dane's owe the fishermen (sic!) a boat?

[Bagwan]

Sorry to be a wet blanket but why all the euphoria? So a helicopter locates a small boat, probably no larger than a pinnace carried by large warships,  and directs an unarmed supply ship of about 35,000 tons, albeit carrying some rough, tough Marines (well, that is what the script says), and detains it. Small arms held by the would be pirates are thrown into the sea, their wrists slapped and then they are sent on their way. Hardly Jutland or Midway is it? I've seen more action on a returning liberty boat late at night. 

[Bagwan]

Duplicate post

Edited November 2, 2010 by Bagwan

[souvenirdeparis]

very sorry the Thaï marines aren't allowed more fun with the pirates; they come a long way

chan ma klaï and could enjoy these encounters more.

[Spee]

I must, in all honesty, say I was looking forward to reading about attacking pirate boats, armed with automatic weapons, being blown out of the water into tiny splinters.

Different situations call for different naval strategies.

HTMS Pattani and its Otomelara 76/62 main gun

It's depicted here for 3 minutes on a Norwegian Navy ship showing both single shot and rapid fire mode (80 rounds per minute):

For these situations, I prefer the Star Wars strategy ....... R2D2 that is ................

[kropotkin]

News Update.

Somalia to send its army to Thailand to fight corruption.