Talking Like a Somali and Update on the MV Faina

October 26, 2008 · Filed Under Current · Comment 

An update on the MV Faina – still being held hostage by Somali pirates.

Somali pirates hold whip hand in standoff

And a comment by my 12 year old son, Ted. He suggested that he would like to learn some Somali so that next year when “Talk Like a Pirate Day” rolls around, he will really be able to talk like a pirate.

Old Salt in The Huffington Post

October 2, 2008 · Filed Under Current · Comment 

I was recently published in The Huffington Post. An excerpt:

The Golden Age of Piracy” or Long John Silver in a Tank

 

This morning I was struck by the odd juxtaposition of an announcement for a festival and a news item. Not long after reading about the upcoming Saint Augustine Pirate Gathering, (November 14th -16th), I also read in this morning’s New York Times that a band of Somali pirates who have seized a ship carrying $30 million worth of grenade launchers, tons of ammunition, and yes, even 33 refurbished T-72 battle tanks. The ship was taken over 200 mile offshore. Naval ships from both the US and Russia subsequently intercepted the pirates and a week-long standoff has ensued.

Read the rest of the article

Pirate Stand-off in the Indian Ocean

September 29, 2008 · Filed Under Current · Comment 
FAINA with Somali pirate boats alongside

FAINA with Somali pirate boats alongside

The real life pirate saga, which began Thursday night when Somali pirates seized the Faina, a Ukrainian ship loaded with a cargo of ammunition, grenade launchers and 33 refurbished Russian T-72 battle tanks, has turned into a stand-off between the pirates holding the crew hostage and US and Russian navy vessels and aircraft.  One crew member has died reported of hypertension. The pirates are now demanding a ransom of $20 million dollars.

Somali pirates want $20M ship ransom; crewman dies

Video of the Moment

Windjammer Victory Chimes

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